Freeform has cancelled The Fosters after five seasons. Per Deadline, the cabler has opted not to continue the family drama series into Season 6.
However, after concluding with a three-part series finale event this summer, The Fosters will be replaced with a spinoff series starring Maia Mitchell and Cierra Ramirez:
The network has greenlighted a three-part The Fosters finale event to air next summer, while also giving a 13-episode series order to a Fosters offshoot starring the series’ Cierra Ramirez and Maia Mitchell. Set several years in the future, it will follow the lives of their characters, Callie (Mitchell) and Mariana (Ramirez), as they embark on the next phase of their young adult lives. I hear the two may be joined by at least one more young Fosters cast member, with conversations currently underway.
The news comes as The Fosters recently wrapped production on its fifth season, culminating with the show’s two-hour 100th episode, which will serve as a Season 5 finale, setting up the three-part limited series summer event. The ten-episode Season 5B debuts Jan. 9.
With the news marking both an end and a rebirth, producers Joanna Johnson, Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige said:
“First and foremost, we want to thank our fans — our supportive ‘Fosters Family’ — and Freeform for fostering this show. It’s been the privilege of our lives to get to shepherd this beautiful family through five seasons of love, laughter, heartbreak, tribulation, and triumph — and message to the world that DNA doesn’t make a family, love does. All while allowing us to explore some of the most pressing social issues of our era. Now that the kids are growing up, it’s time to take them out into the world, to see them make their way into adulthood, continuing their search for identity and love, and the pursuit of their dreams and purpose in this ever changing world.”
UPDATED with official press announcement:
FREEFORM ORDERS A THREE-PART LIMITED SERIES EVENT OF ‘THE FOSTERS’ FOR SUMMER 2018 CONCLUDING THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DRAMA AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ORDERS A NEW 13 EPISODE SERIES STARRING CIERRA RAMIREZ AND MAIA MITCHELL TO CONTINUE ITS LEGACY (TITLE TBA)
Freeform, Disney’s young adult television and streaming network, announced today that the GLAAD award-winning series Vanity Fair calls “groundbreaking,” and Refinery29 calls “consistently revolutionary week-in, week-out,” will conclude with a special three-night limited series finale event next summer, which will lead into a new series following the lives of Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) as they embark on the next phase of their young adult lives. “The Fosters” will return for season 5B with ten episodes on Jan. 9 at 8:00 p.m. EST, including a monumental 100th episode.
Joanna Johnson, Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige said: “First and foremost, we want to thank our fans – our supportive ‘Fosters Family’ – and Freeform for fostering this show. It’s been the privilege of our lives to get to shepherd this beautiful family through five seasons of love, laughter, heartbreak, tribulation, and triumph – and message to the world that DNA doesn’t make a family, love does. All while allowing us to explore some of the most pressing social issues of our era. Now that the kids are growing up, it’s time to take them out into the world, to see them make their way into adulthood, continuing their search for identity and love, and the pursuit of their dreams and purpose in this ever-changing world.”
“The Fosters” is a compelling, one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family mix of adopted and biological teenaged kids being raised by two moms. Stef Adams Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her wife, Lena Adams Foster, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef’s biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon; their adopted twins, Mariana and Jesus; and adopted siblings Jude and his half-sister, Callie.
Winner of a Television Academy Honors Award and GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series, “The Fosters” is executive produced by Jennifer Lopez, (“Shades of Blue,” “World of Dance”) and created by Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige (“Queer As Folk”), who also serve as executive producers and writers, along with Joanna Johnson (“The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Hope & Faith”). The original producing team will also helm “The Fosters” limited series finale event as well as the new series.
“The Fosters” stars Teri Polo (“Meet the Parents”) as Stef Adams Foster; Sherri Saum (“In Treatment”) as Lena Adams Foster; Hayden Byerly (“Parenthood”) as Jude Adams Foster; Noah Centineo (“How to Build a Better Boy”) as Jesus Adams Foster; David Lambert (“Aaron Stone”) as Brandon Foster; Maia Mitchell (“Teen Beach Movie”) as Callie Adams Foster; and Cierra Ramirez (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) as Mariana Adams Foster.
Greg Gugliotta, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Nuyorican Productions, Inc. in association with Freeform.
With the end set, The Fosters Season 5B premieres Jan. 9 at 8pm on Freeform, concluding with its landmark 100th episode before the limited event wraps up the series summer 2018.RIP.
jo m misanko says
sucks was a really good show and storyline
Nikki says
I agree, maybe the spin-off will be good. That is if they leave it on long enough to find out.
Marie says
That sucks it’s a great show
Tomas says
It is with regret and deep sadness that an additional season is not forthcoming. I do not fall within the targeted demographics that the show was intended for. I came upon the show by accident but became intrigued by the initial concept. It quickly became apparent that I was reliving my life as the male Callie. The truth is, on your life’s journey you never know where your deepest and most profound love we’ll come from. While I was married for more than 24 years my truest love is one of a “taboo sister” by social standards (think, but she’s your foster sister) I’m 65 years old now and I don’t think a day has gone by where I haven’t thought, I wish…
Rebecca Henderson says
Bless you Tomas. I came across it by accident as well. Turned out to really enjoy the show and the stories it portrays.
Unfortunately you are right regarding your love. Even though you are not blood relatives it is still considered taboo. Unless the two of you consider moving away from your current lives, friends and family and don’t tell anyone you grew up together in the same house as siblings, maybe go with she moved in across the street when you two were in grade school and you fell in love in high school at a school dance.
P.S. You only live once. This day ends and when it does it’s gone forever. So live your life to the fullest.
Kay says
Very disappointed! I have watched this show since it’s inception, even though I don’t fall within the demographics it was intended for. I will miss it!!!
Lynn says
Sorry to hear this. Was a great show and I looked forward to watching it.
st Joseph says
I really enjoyed this newfound TV show. I became aware of so many issues that homosexuals never face in life. It was a real eye opener and a learning lesson. I will certainly miss being a fly on the wall of the Foster family experiences. Great show!
Donna says
Very sad news. So few truly meaningful stories about real life and social issues. Sure wish they would reconsider.
Rebecca Henderson says
100% agree with you Donna. Not only about them reconsidering but also about how meaningful and about it being about todays social life and real life issues as well. Thank you Donna for saying what I was also thinking.
Rebecca Henderson says
This is sad news. I’ve really enjoyed their storylines, their lives and the acting in my opinion makes the show more real. Very talented group of actors and crew. Thank you for the past 5 seasons. I’ve really enjoyed your show. You all did good, have a safe and successful future.
Doris says
I have watched the show from day one with my husband and we are in our sixties. We really enjoyed the joy and are disappointed to see it leave. I always thought Callie and Brandon would find a way to be together. Also I thought Brandon was a year older and had already graduated. Looking forward to the summer finale.