The Winter Premiere of The Fosters airs tonight (January 25) on Freeform with an exciting episode called “First Impressions.” The Adams Foster family faces new challenges, some characters face heartbreak, and hidden secrets are uncovered in the premiere.
To promote tonight’s premiere, KSiteTV spoke with actress Sherri Saum (Lena Adams Foster) about what we can look forward to, from resolution with the Monte story all the way to this week’s special guest stars. Enjoy, and don’t miss the season premiere at 8PM ET tonight on Freeform!
KSITETV’s CRAIG BYRNE: Will there be any resolution to the story with Monte in the premiere?
SHERRI SAUM: It’s not going to be one of those things that is easily resolvable. It was a huge betrayal; an emotional betrayal. I have to deal with the fact that it wasn’t someone that I met in a bar one night and kissed, which would be pretty awful, but this is a day to day thing, where I am working with this woman, and shared confidence with her… it’s an emotional betrayal. So, that’s not going to be resolved in a few episodes’ time; it will be an ongoing situation.
Is Lena still afraid of the possibility of still being tempted by Monte, or is that just not a thought that crosses her mind?
I don’t think so. I think she’s pretty sobered up after that experience. Stef is the one and only person for her, and always has been. But whenever there’s a lot of stress going on — a lot of stress in the house, and with the kids, and all of these things, you sometimes look for an escape that’s not your partner, which is one of the most dangerous things that you can do. She fell into that trap, but I think that she’s learned her lesson.
Are Stef and Lena a couple that you think could endure through just about anything?
I think so. I mean, if it hasn’t been proven already, with what they’ve been through on the show… no matter what, they have a deep love for each other, and I think it’s unbreakable. I hope it’s unbreakable. I’m so invested in this couple, the way that our fans are. I want them to win.
There’s a really good scene in the winter premiere between Lena and Connor’s dad. Can you talk about that?
Lena’s being Lena, and being a mom, and wanting to help her son, and help the situation that her son is in. She sees how much he’s hurting. I’m just glad that Jude has this family, because I can’t imagine him going through these things if he were back in the Foster care system… trying to figure out his sexuality, or falling in love, or trying to do all these things and not having a solid, loving family to back him… I feel like no matter what happens, he’s going to be okay.
What is it like to be part of a show that’s so important to young people, that young people can identify with?
It’s everything. I remember being that age; I remember being a young teen, a young kid, and only having certain shows to watch. We are so influenced by TV. This is so powerful. And now to have a show that tells you “hey, you know what? You don’t fit in? You aren’t quite just like everybody else?” And now, to have that message out there, is everything. You know you’re accepted, and it’s okay to be who you are… it just opens up an entire different world for you, and it makes me so proud to be a part of a show like that.
Can you talk about what it’s like to have Annie Potts and Rob Morrow around?
Oh my gosh. We had so much fun playing with those two. They are a couple of nuts. Annie is such a professional, and Rob is also a director as well, and that’s always an interesting dynamic, but they just bring some levity and some comedic relief, and we never have needed it more on this show, because there’s so much drama going on. It was perfect timing, and we’re so blessed to have them.
Will we be seeing more of Lena’s family again anytime soon?
I’m not sure. I feel like the show is about family, and so we can’t dance around that for too long. They always have to make an appearance, as family is everything, as the show constantly reiterates. I think there’s always room for them to make appearances. I hope so. I love my family.
How does Lena handle Jesus’ school situation? What does she think is going on with him?
Well, we have no idea. I think instinctively, when he comes back, we might have a little bit of a mother’s intuition; but there’s so much going on – there’s Stef’s health situation – that we kind of allow ourselves to be lulled into a sense of false security that it’s all good, he’s fine, everything is fine, but obviously, we’re going to find out otherwise at some point.
The calm before the storm, I guess.
Stef is a bit stubborn about going in for a second opinion regarding her health. What’s going on there?
It’s true to the character. Stef is such a strong character. She’s always taking care of everybody else. This a really scary thing to face and confront, and she’s a little bit in denial, but if you know anything about Lena or Stef’s mom, you know that she’s not going to be able to ignore these things, and she’s going to be forced to face them. For better or worse.
The Fosters winter premiere airs at 8PM tonight on Freeform (the new name for ABC Family!) Some preview images from “First Impressions” can be found below.
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THE FOSTERS - "First Impressions" -Callie realizes that her website can make a difference for foster youth in the winter premiere of “The Fosters,” airing Monday, January 25, 2016 at 8:00PM ET/PT on Freeform. (Freeform/Tony Rivetti)TOM WILLIAMSON, MAIA MITCHELL, TERI POLO, ANNIE POTTS, ROB MORROW, CIERRA RAMIREZ
