American Family, the first first original primetime American episodic drama on public television in decades, premieres on Channel 5 on Wednesday, January 23, at 8:00pm.

"The series is about an American family, living in Los Angeles, that happens to be Latino," says Academy Award-nominated director Gregory Nava (El Norte, Selena). "I wanted to create a show that will make the audience laugh and cry as it chronicles the daily struggles and triumphs of a family. American Family is about everyone's family."

The cast regulars include Academy Award nominee Edward James Olmos, Constance Marie, Rachel Ticotin, A.J. Lamas, Austin Marques, Kurt Caceres and Raquel Welch, with special guest star Esai Morales and special appearances by Sonia Braga. The series also features Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo in her first American television appearance.

American Family reveals the enduring strength of family in America today as it chronicles the lives of the Gonzalez family, residents of East Los Angeles. Jess Gonzalez (Edward James Olmos), the conservative patriarch, and his daughter Nina (Constance Marie), a feminist attorney, are constantly at odds with each other. Nina dreams of a career in Washington, DC. Esteban (Esai Morales) struggles to rebuild his life after serving time in prison. Flamboyant Aunt Dora (Raquel Welch), Jess' sister who lives next door, adds some spice to everyone's life. Cisco (A.J. Lamas), the youngest sibling, secretly videotapes the family's antics and posts the "family drama" on his Web site.

A bellowing conservative, Jess is constantly struggling against the ever-changing modern world. As American Family begins, the siblings, including Vangie, a professional woman married to an "Anglo," and Conrado (Kurt Caceres), a doctor, want Jess and Berta to move away from the old family home in East Los Angeles and offer to buy them a condominium. Nina has just landed a plum job as a congressional aide in Washington and plans to leave the area. Esteban, the black sheep of the family, is trying his best to take care of his six-year-old son, Pablito (Austin Marques).

Just as Jess and Berta are getting ready to move into their West Side condo, tragedy strikes. Social Services comes to take away Pablito and the family is thrown into further upheaval. Seeing her family start to unravel, Nina elects to forego her Washington job and stay in Los Angeles with her loved ones.

The stage is set for the ongoing daily adventures of an American Family.

More about American Family | Upcoming Episodes | Visit the American Family Website

Major funding for the American Family television series is provided by Johnson & Johnson, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS.

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