Freeform will premiere its “Party of Five” reboot on Jan. 8, 2020, the cable channel said on Friday. But if you can’t wait that long to watch the reimagined series, you’re in luck, because a tearjerker of a sneak peek was released along with the show’s debut date news.
In the clip above, you’ll see the Acosta children say goodbye to their parents at an immigration detention center in a heart-wrenching scene that shows how this series will differ from the original starring Neve Campbell, which ran from 1994-2000 on Fox.
According to Freeform, “Party of Five” will follow the five Acosta children as they navigate daily life struggles to survive as a family unit after their parents are suddenly deported back to Mexico. “In a new iteration by original series creators Amy Lippman and Christopher Keyser, this beloved story of a young family bound by adversity will be retold through the lens of current-day themes and cultural conversations,” the cable channel said.
The series was created by Lippman and Keyser, who created the original “Party of Five” and serve as executive producers and writers on Freeform’s version. Rodrigo Garcia is also an executive producer and directed the pilot. Michal Zebede serves as co-executive producer and writer.
The new “Party of Five” stars Brandon Larracuente as Emilio Acosta, Emily Tosta as Lucia Acosta, Niko Guardado as Beto Acosta and Elle Paris Legaspi as Valentina Acosta. Bruno Bichir and Fernanda Urrejola star as the Acosta parents, Javier and Gloria.
The show is produced by Sony Pictures Television.
See below for character descriptions for the Acostas, courtesy of Freeform.
Emilio Acosta is an aspiring musician and the oldest son of Gloria and Javier Acosta. Emilio is the reason his parents crossed the Mexican border into the United States nearly twenty-five years ago in hopes of a better life. Although the oldest, he’s the least responsible of the siblings and had been enjoying living away from home and the freedom that came with it, until his parents’ status was threatened.
Lucia Acosta is a straight-A student with lofty college ambitions until her parents run into trouble with immigration. Their circumstances force her to reevaluate her disposition to play by the rules. She quickly becomes resistant to authority, politically radicalized and rebellious to her presumed duties as the oldest sister.
Beto Acosta is the second oldest brother of the family who steps up in the midst of turmoil. While struggling with sports, girls and school, he soon discovers that being the head of his family comes easily to him and gives him the self-respect and sense of purpose he has never had before.
Valentina Acosta is the precocious and resourceful youngest sister. Forced to face adolescence without her mother, she’s desperately afraid of what the future holds, and her vulnerability will require her older siblings to step up and offer the structure and support that they may not be wholly equipped to provide.
“Party of Five” premieres Wednesday, Jan. 8 on Freeform.