The Fosters (2013-2018) was a groundbreaking drama on ABC Family, now on Netflix, about a lesbian couple (Stef and Lena) with five children, biological, adopted, and foster (Brandon, Jesus, Jude, Callie, Mariana). Biological parents show up, and the kids have friends and romantic partners, so it gets a little crowded.
Episodes are pretty grim and angst-y. There are drinking problems, psychological problems, incurable diseases, deaths, battles with bullies and homophobes. But the remarkably open gay content makes it worth the gloom and doom.
Besides, there are endless teenage boys with their shirts off to draw in the gay boys and straight girls, plus a few shirtless adults thrown in for the adults in the room.
Here are the top 12 Fosters fav raves, plus one honorable mention:1. David Lambert (left): Brandon, the oldest son in the family. an aspiring pianist whose dreams are dashed when an injury paralyzes his hand. He also becomes the victim of statutory rape by hooking up with his father's girlfriend.
2. Danny Nucci: Mike, Brandon's biological father, a cop who has a drinking problem, shot an unarmed suspect, and has a girlfriend who hooks up with Brandon.
3. Tom Williamson: AJ, Mike's foster son. Where does he find the time to be a foster parent?
4. Jake T. Austin (left): Jesus, the second son, who has Attention-Deficit Disorder.
5. Brandon Quinn: Gabe, Jesus' biological father, who didn't tell Jesus because he didn't want the boy to know he's a registered sex offender.
6. Hadyn Byerly: Jude, the youngest son, who becomes mute in angst over coming out as gay (with lesbian parents?), but eventually learns to accept himself and starts dating, with probably the youngest same-sex kiss on television.
7. Gavin McIntosh (top photo): Connor, Jude's boyfriend, who has a homophobic father.
8. Tanner Buchanan (left): Jack, a shy boy with lots of angsty problems who Jude befriends.
More after the break.
9. Chris Bruno: Adam, the homophobic father.
10. Alex Saxon (left): Wyatt, the boyfriend of daughter Callie. They ran away together, causing angst.
11. Kerr Smith: Robert, Callie's biological father, who wants custody.
12. Jordan Rodrigues: Mat, the boyfriend of daughter Mariana. He doesn't have any angsty problems so she dumps him.
Honorable mention: Noah Centineo, who took over for Jesus after Jake T. Austin left. He looks like he's doing fine. But wait until he finds out that he will be tearjerking week after week.
See also:
Jake T. Austin,
Danny Nucci
