The Fosters (1976 TV series)

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. It was the predecessor to many future British television programmes that featured a predominantly black cast: (No Problem!, Desmond's, The Lenny Henry Show).

Overview

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. Munroe and Beaton would later star in Desmond's as married couple Shirley and Desmond Ambrose.

Including in the show's cast was teenager 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 scripts from the original Good Times episodes. The series produced 27 episodes and two series, ending its year-long run on 9 July 1977.

Cast

• Norman Beaton as Samuel Foster
• Isabelle Lucas as Pearl Foster
• Carmen Munroe as Vilma
• Lenny Henry as Sonny Foster
• Sharon Rosita as Shirley Foster
• Lawrie Mark as Benjamin Foster

DVD Release

External links

• The Fosters at the Internet Movie Database