| The Fosters | |
|---|---|
The Fosters cast |
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| Format | Sitcom |
| Created by | Jon Watkins |
| Developed by |
Jon Watkins (adaption) |
| Starring | Norman Beaton Isabelle Lucas Carmen Munroe Sharon Rosita Lawrie Mark Lenny Henry |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 27 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 Minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV |
| Original run | 9 April 1976 – 9 July 1977 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Good Times |
The Fosters is a British television programme, produced by London Weekend Television which aired on ITV from 9 April 1976, until 9 July 1977.
It was created and developed by Jon Watkins, who adapted the American sitcom, Good Times, developed by Norman Lear, and created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans. It was the first British sitcom to have an entirely Black cast.
Contents |
The series starred Norman Beaton as Samuel Foster, a hard-working man trying to support his family in a South London multi-storey council flat. The Samuel character was based on the fictional character James Evans Sr. in Good Times. Alongside Beaton, was Canadian actress Isabelle Lucas, portraying Samuel's wife, Pearl Foster (Florida Evans in the original), who gossips with her best friend, Vilma, played by Carmen Munroe. Vilma was originally the character Willona Woods, who in the American version, gossips with Florida on every one inside (and outside) the housing projects, much to James' dismay.
Including in the show's cast was comedian Lenny Henry, in his first regular series, playing Sonny Foster, Pearl and Samuel's oldest child and son, a painter. J.J. Evans was the American equivalent.
Sharon Rosita played Sonny's younger sister, Shirley Foster (in the US: Thelma Evans), the only daughter in the family, and the second oldest. Samuel and Pearl's younger son, Benjamin, was played by Lawrie Mark. In the American series, Michael Evans was Benjamin's double.
The series' episodes (and titles) were derived from transcripts originally from the Good Times episodes. The series produced 27 episodes and two series, ending its year-long run on 9 July 1977.
The first series of The Fosters was released on DVD in 2010 by Network, The second series is scheduled for 5th September 2011.