The Fosters (2013)
A groundbreaking family drama about love, identity, and belonging — told through the story of one extraordinary blended family.
The Fosters - Series Information
- Original Title: The Fosters
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Created by: Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (42 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 104
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: June 3, 2013 (United States - TV-14), June 3, 2013 (Canada - 14+), June 3, 2013 (Germany - 12), June 3, 2013 (France - 12), June 3, 2013 (India - U), June 3, 2013 (Australia - M), June 3, 2013 (Brazil - 12), June 3, 2013 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: ABC Family, Freeform
- Alternative Titles: 寄养一家人 (CN), Familia de acogida (ES)
- Production Companies: ProdCo, Nuyorican Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Fosters - Plot
Stef Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef's biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon, and their adopted twins, Mariana and Jesus. Their lives are disrupted in unexpected ways when Lena meets Callie, a hardened teen with an abusive past who has spent her life in and out of foster homes. Lena and Stef welcome Callie and her brother, Jude, into their home thinking it's just for a few weeks, until a more permanent placement can be found. But life has something else in store for the Fosters.
The Fosters - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what makes this family unforgettable:
How do you define family?
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The Fosters - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Bradley Bredeweg
- Peter Paige
Main Cast
- Teri Polo
- Sherri Saum
- Hayden Byerly
- David Lambert
- Maia Mitchell
- Danny Nucci
- Cierra Ramirez
- Noah Centineo
- Amanda Leighton
- Jake T. Austin
Writers
- Megan Lynn
- Wade Solomon
- Joanna Johnson
- Peter Paige
- Bradley Bredeweg
Executive Producers
- Joanna Johnson
- Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas
- Jennifer Lopez
- Bradley Bredeweg
- Greg Gugliotta
The Fosters - FAQs
Where can you stream The Fosters online?
The Fosters is available to stream on Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Freeform. You can also purchase individual episodes or full seasons on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
Is The Fosters based on a true story?
The Fosters is not based on a specific true story. However, the series draws on real-world issues surrounding foster care, adoption, and LGBTQ+ family dynamics. Co-creator Peter Paige has spoken about the show's grounding in authentic emotional experiences and social realities faced by many families.
Who are the main actors in The Fosters?
The Fosters stars Teri Polo as Stef Foster and Sherri Saum as Lena Adams, the couple at the heart of the family. The ensemble cast also includes Maia Mitchell, David Lambert, Cierra Ramirez, Noah Centineo, Hayden Byerly, Danny Nucci, Amanda Leighton, and Jake T. Austin.
Why did The Fosters end after Season 5?
The Fosters concluded after five seasons as the creative team chose to wrap up the story organically rather than continue indefinitely. The series transitioned into the spin-off Good Trouble (2019), which follows Callie and Mariana as young adults in Los Angeles, allowing the story world to continue.
How many seasons and episodes does The Fosters have?
The Fosters ran for 5 seasons with a total of 104 episodes, plus 5 special episodes collected in Season 0. Season 1 through Season 5 each contained between 20 and 22 episodes. The series premiered on June 3, 2013, and concluded in 2018.
What is The Fosters TV series about?
The Fosters follows Stef Foster, a police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, who raise a blended family including biological, adopted, and foster children. When they take in troubled teen Callie and her brother Jude, their lives are transformed in ways none of them anticipated.
What is the content rating for The Fosters?
The Fosters carries a TV-14 content rating in the United States, indicating the series contains material that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The show deals with mature themes including abuse, foster care trauma, teen relationships, and LGBTQ+ identity, handled with sensitivity throughout.
Did The Fosters receive critical acclaim or win awards?
The Fosters earned strong critical praise for its groundbreaking portrayal of a same-sex couple raising a multiracial blended family. The series received multiple GLAAD Media Award nominations and wins, and was recognized for its progressive representation of LGBTQ+ families and foster care issues on mainstream television.
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