The Fosters poster

TV series

The Fosters

2013TV-145 seasons7.5 / 10

How do you define family?

Stef Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef's biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon, and their adopted twins, Mariana and Jesus. Their lives are disrupted in unexpected ways when Lena meets Callie, a hardened teen with an abusive past who has spent her life in and out of foster homes. Lena and Stef welcome Callie and her brother, Jude, into their home thinking it's just for a few weeks, until a more permanent placement can be found. But life has something else in store for the Fosters.

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Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

The Fosters is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube TV in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

Stef Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef's biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon, and their adopted twins, Mariana and Jesus. Their lives are disrupted in unexpected ways when Lena meets Callie, a hardened teen with an abusive past who has spent her life in and out of foster homes. Lena and Stef welcome Callie and her brother, Jude, into their home thinking it's just for a few weeks, until a more permanent placement can be found. But life has something else in store for the Fosters.

Season 4 episodes

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Episode 1

Potential Energy

42m6.2 / 10

Callie admits her past relationship with Brandon to her moms. But before Stef and Lena can even process the information, the school goes into a “Code Blue” lockdown when it’s discovered Mariana’s boyfriend Nick showed up with his father’s gun after seeing her kiss her ex-boyfriend Mat.

Episode credits

Directed by Rob MorrowWritten by Bradley Bredeweg, Peter PaigeGuest stars Jay Ali, Annika Marks, Izabela Vidovic, Madison Pettis, Louis Hunter, Anna Grace Barlow, Mark Totty, Joel Johnstone

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Episode 2

Safe

42m6.1 / 10

After being given the all clear to head home, tensions are still running high in the Adams Foster household. Fragile and skittish from the school lockdown, the family sticks close, but their secrets keep them apart. Callie and Brandon anxiously wait for their moms to address their behavior in Idyllwild while Stef warns everyone to stay off their phones and computers due to the rumors swirling around their family.

Episode credits

Directed by Rob MorrowWritten by Joanna JohnsonGuest stars Tom Williamson, Denyse Tontz, Tanner Buchanan, Louis Hunter, Jordan Rodrigues

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Episode 3

Trust

42m5.8 / 10

In the aftermath of the school lockdown, Mariana is called out by other students who blame her for Nick’s actions. Callie is also taunted at school and her inappropriate reaction gets her suspended. But what starts off as a punishment turns into an adventure when she meets Aaron, a handsome young law student who knows nothing about her or her past.

Episode credits

Guest stars Annika Marks, Izabela Vidovic, Madison Pettis, Denyse Tontz, Tip Scarry, Benjamin Freitas, Kalama Epstein, Adam Kang

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Episode 4

Now for Then

42m6.0 / 10

Callie starts her senior project of photographing the outside of her and Jude’s seven former foster homes. But, when an unexpected encounter with a former foster mother brings her inside, Callie decides to reach out to other people who have fostered her and is shocked to learn that a 17-year-old former foster brother has been convicted of murder. Stressed out by the hardships of supporting himself and Cortney, Brandon throws a house party and things take a turn for the worse. Stef and Lena offer to pay for an attorney to help get Gabe off of the sex offender registry, which is currently putting Lena’s job at risk and causing friction between Mike and Ana. Meanwhile, Mariana tells her moms that, in order to feel safe again, she wants to visit Nick and put an end to their relationship once and for all.

Episode credits

Directed by Silas HowardWritten by Constance M. BurgeGuest stars Alexandra Barreto, Tom Williamson, Denyse Tontz, Louis Hunter, Brandon Quinn, Benjamin Freitas, Brynn Thayer, Bonnie Burroughs

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Episode 5

Forty

42m5.7 / 10

Lena is excited that her family is coming together to throw her a 70s-themed 40th birthday party. But, when Lena’s mom Dana shares her suspicions about Stewart’s behavior, it threatens to put a damper on the festivities. Convinced her former foster brother Kyle has been wrongly convicted of murder, Callie and Aaron try to track down a witness in the case. Mariana and her female STEAM club teammates compete for an invite to the Regional Robotics Competition. Meanwhile, Jude is hurt to discover that Connor came to town and didn’t tell him, and Brandon considers drastic measures to make extra money.

Episode credits

Directed by Velvet Andrews-SmithWritten by Wade Solomon, Megan LynnGuest stars Alexandra Barreto, Lorraine Toussaint, Suzanne Cryer, Annika Marks, Izabela Vidovic, Tom Williamson, Bruce Davison, Denyse Tontz

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Episode 6

Justify

42m5.7 / 10

Lena is shocked by the news that her dad has been hiding something that directly puts them all in jeopardy. Additionally, she uncovers a major secret that Brandon has been keeping. Mariana continues to be pressured by Nick and must deal with direct opposition from the male members on her STEAM team. Meanwhile, Jesus grows resentful of Emma’s behavior, and Jude discovers Noah has a medical marijuana card.

Episode credits

Directed by Kelli WilliamsWritten by Cristian MartinezGuest stars Izabela Vidovic, Michael Daniel Cassady, Tom Williamson, Bruce Davison, Denyse Tontz, Louis Hunter, Mark Totty, Michael Traynor

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Episode 7

Highs & Lows

42m5.5 / 10

When Jesus’s birth father, Gabe, doesn’t show up to work on Stef and Lena’s garage, Jesus takes on the job himself and gets injured in the process. An exhausted Mariana, deep into her robotics STEAM project, takes Jesus’ ADHD medicine for a boost. Callie and AJ find themselves in an awkward situation when Mike and Brandon unexpectedly come home early. Meanwhile, Stef lets Mike know that Brandon gave his hand injury settlement money to Cortney.

Episode credits

Directed by Chandra WilsonWritten by Kris Q. RehlGuest stars Tom Williamson, Denyse Tontz, Brandon Quinn, Kalama Epstein, Chad Todhunter, Arden Belle, Michael Dunn, Lisa Sheridan

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Episode 8

Girl Code

42m6.0 / 10

Mariana and Jesus compete in the First Robotics Southern California Regionals, but when Mariana gets too competitive under the stress, Lena grows alarmed. Callie gets a warning from the police to stop harassing Patrick Molloy. Brandon practices for his fast-approaching Julliard audition.

Episode credits

Directed by Aprill WinneyWritten by Dan Richter, Megan Lynn, Wade SolomonGuest stars Tom Williamson, Denyse Tontz, Michael Traynor, Adam Kang, Arden Belle, Adwin Brown, Beth Littleford, John Ales

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Episode 9

New York

42m6.4 / 10

Brandon travels to New York City for his Julliard audition and meets a girl who forces him to take a hard look at his life, including his relationship with Cortney. Meanwhile, Stef and Lena make an unexpected announcement that leaves the family in shock. And Callie’s friendship with Aaron causes friction between her and AJ.

Episode credits

Directed by Joanna JohnsonWritten by Joanna JohnsonGuest stars Tom Williamson, Denyse Tontz, Kalama Epstein, Beth Littleford, Hugh Scott, Angeline Appel, Alex Skuby, Elliot Fletcher

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Episode 10

Collateral Damage

42m6.6 / 10mid season

Callie and the family set up a “Justice for Jack” booth at a music festival in order to gather signatures to stop Justina’s foster care bill, but Callie’s persistence in advocating for both Jack and Kyle lands her in a dangerous situation. Additionally, Callie’s efforts are sidelined when the tensions between her boyfriend AJ and her friend Aaron come to a head. Mariana, still taking Jesus’ ADHD prescription medication, sees Nick and runs away from the festival, sending the family into a frantic search for her. Meanwhile, Stef discovers that her inquiries into Kyle’s case will have repercussions at her job.

Episode credits

Directed by Peter PaigeWritten by Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige

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Episode 11

Insult to Injury

42m5.5 / 10

In the aftermath of Jesus’ fight with Nick over Mariana, Jesus is knocked out. On the way to the hospital, things take a turn for the worse, leaving him fighting for his life. Meanwhile, Callie finds herself in a dangerous situation after taking a ride with Troy and Mariana is guilt-ridden over the fact that her actions led to Jesus’ current condition.

Episode credits

Directed by Rob MorrowWritten by Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige

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Episode 12

Dream a Little Dream

42m5.8 / 10

As Stef and Lena stand vigil over an unconscious Jesus, he dreams of an alternate world wherein he tries to save Mariana but can’t get to her. Already stretched thin, the moms receive news that Callie is in serious legal trouble. Mariana seeks comfort in Mat’s arms, while Brandon tries to hold the family together.

Episode credits

Guest stars Aziza Scott

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Episode 13

Cruel and Unusual

42m5.8 / 10

Callie tries to keep to herself and focus on getting out of juvenile hall, but when she refuses a guard’s propositions, she ends up making an enemy. As Stef and Lena work to get Callie out of juvie, her biological father Robert turns up, angry for being kept in the dark. Meanwhile, Brandon’s questioning of a situation has consequences for Mariana. Jude gets a second chance with Noah, and Mike makes several life-changing decisions.

Episode credits

Guest stars Caroline Hebert, Aziza Scott

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Episode 14

Doors and Windows

42m5.5 / 10

After Brandon confesses to Stef that he didn’t get into Juilliard, she decides she’s fed up with all of the kids’ secrets and removes their bedroom doors. Mariana starts seeing a therapist to deal with the trauma of Nick’s actions. While Jesus struggles with physical therapy, Brandon realizes that music might be a good way to help get through to him. Callie’s biological father Robert brings in his highly paid attorneys to handle Callie’s case, which causes a conflict with Stef and Lena.

Episode credits

Directed by Susan FlanneryWritten by Constance M. Burge

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Episode 15

Sex Ed

42m5.8 / 10

Jude feels uneducated about gay sex ed, so he tries to gain some personal experience through a phone app. Callie presents her senior project to her class, but the school admin disapproves of the concept.

Episode credits

Guest stars Buckley Sampson, Giselle DaMier

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Episode 16

The Long Haul

42m6.3 / 10

Sharon and Will return to the Adams Foster home with news that they are engaged. In an effort to come clean with Jesus, Emma writes him a letter but learns he is hiding a secret of his own. Meanwhile, Jude is teased at school when Lena organizes an LGBTQ-friendly sex ed class for students.

Episode credits

Directed by Bradley BredewegWritten by Wade Solomon, Megan LynnGuest stars Rob Morrow, Noah Urrea

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Episode 17

Diamond in the Rough

42m6.0 / 10

Stef starts a new assignment in human trafficking where she meets a teenaged girl named Diamond who is turning tricks on the streets. Lena deals with repercussions for holding an off-campus LGBTQ sex ed class for Anchor Beach students. Callie’s relentless pursuit of justice starts to impact her relationship with AJ. Meanwhile, Mariana tries to cheer up Jesus with a special project after he’s prescribed a special pair of glasses due to his traumatic brain injury.

Episode credits

Directed by Lily MariyeWritten by Cristian MartinezGuest stars Judy Kain

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Episode 18

Dirty Laundry

42m6.3 / 10

As Stef works longer hours in her new position, Lena feels overwhelmed trying to keep up with the complicated lives of their five teenagers in addition to the pressures of her own job. Jude, fed up with being bullied at school, resorts to bullying tactics of his own. Callie heads to Los Angeles with Aaron to visit his parents, who are struggling with Aaron being transgender.

Episode credits

Directed by Laura Nisbet PetersWritten by Wade Solomon, Megan LynnGuest stars August Kamp, Noah Urrea

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Episode 19

Who Knows

42m6.3 / 10

It seems just about everyone in the Adams Foster household has a secret, but unfortunately for each of them, they all start spilling out. With Callie’s court date inching closer, Robert’s attorneys present a defense strategy that Callie vehemently opposes. Monte and Lena join forces to stop Drew’s underhanded dealings. Stef works to bust Diamond’s pimp. Jesus asks Gabe to keep a secret from his moms.

Episode credits

Directed by Joanna JohnsonWritten by Joanna JohnsonGuest stars Judy Kain

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Episode 20

Until Tomorrow

42m5.3 / 10finale

Callie faces a life-changing decision to take a plea deal and go to jail for three years, or go to trial and risk an even longer sentence. Even though Callie struggles with her own situation, she tries to help Diamond out of hers which becomes extremely dangerous. With only 24 hours to make a difference in Callie’s case, Stef and Mike ramp up their investigation into the Martha Johnson murder bringing in as many leads as possible. Lena confronts Drew about his campaign to make a major change at Anchor Beach Community Charter School, while Mariana rallies her fellow students to protest. Meanwhile, Jesus starts to put together the pieces about Emma.

Episode credits

Directed by Peter PaigeWritten by Bradley Bredeweg, Peter PaigeGuest stars Judy Kain

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Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about The Fosters

Cast

Teri PoloStef Foster
Sherri SaumLena Adams
Jake T. AustinJesus Foster
Hayden ByerlyJude Jacob
Noah CentineoJesus Foster
David LambertBrandon Foster
Maia MitchellCallie Adams Foster
Danny NucciMike Foster

Credits

Created by
Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
104
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • ABC FamilyUnited States
  • FreeformUnited States
  • ProdCoUnited Kingdom
  • Nuyorican ProductionsUnited States

Themes

blended familyfamily relationshipsfoster childfoster familygay parentteen drama