/GettyImages-971570128-0d15935ced914b13a608eeb65a34433a.jpg)
It has been over a decade since we first met the Adams-Foster family on ABC Family—before it became Freeform. Honestly, the legacy of that show is kinda wild when you look at where the actors from The Fosters ended up. Usually, teen dramas produce one breakout star and a bunch of people who end up in Hallmark Christmas movies. This cast? They went a different route. We're talking Oscar-nominated films, massive Disney franchises, and heavy-hitting indie projects.
The show worked because it didn't feel like a "show." It felt like a messy, crowded house in San Diego. When Peter Paige and Bradley Bredeweg created the series, they took a huge gamble on a cast that wasn't exactly A-list at the time. Most of these kids were just starting out. Now, they're the ones carrying some of the biggest projects in Hollywood.
The Maia Mitchell Pivot and the Hard Reality of Leaving a Hit
Maia Mitchell, who played the brooding but brilliant Callie Adams Foster, was basically the heartbeat of the show. For nine years, including the Good Trouble spinoff, she lived in that character’s skin. Then, she just... stopped.
Her departure from Good Trouble in 2022 was a shocker to fans, but it was deeply personal. She moved back to Australia to be with her family during the pandemic. It’s a move most actors wouldn't dare make at the height of their US fame. But Maia's career since then has been about quality over quantity. She starred in The Artful Dodger on Hulu/Disney+, playing Lady Belle Fox. It’s a total 180 from Callie. She traded the denim jackets and foster care system angst for 1850s corsets and surgical tools.
📖 Related: My Name is Barbra: What Most People Get Wrong About the Audiobook of the Year
Watching her go from a troubled teen to a fiercely intellectual woman in a period piece proves she wasn't just a "Freeform actor." She has that rare ability to carry a series on her shoulders without breaking a sweat. If you haven't seen her Australian work, you're missing the best version of her as an artist.
Why Cierra Ramirez is the Mogul Nobody Saw Coming
Cierra Ramirez (Mariana) is a powerhouse. Most people don't realize she was an executive producer on Good Trouble while she was starring in it. That’s not a vanity title. She was in the rooms. She was making decisions.
While other actors from The Fosters leaned into the indie circuit, Cierra stayed loyal to the brand while building a music career on the side. She’s released singles like "Over Your Head" and "Broke Us" that actually get millions of streams. She’s basically the Jennifer Lopez of the Freeform world—juggling acting, singing, and producing all at once. She understood early on that in the 2020s, being "just an actor" is a dangerous game. You have to own the IP.
The Noah Centineo Phenomenon: From Jesus to Superhero
We have to talk about the "Jesus replacement." When Jake T. Austin left the show after season two, fans were livid. Enter Noah Centineo.
At first, people were skeptical. He looked different, he acted different. But Noah brought a certain "golden retriever energy" that the show didn't know it needed. Then Netflix happened. To All the Boys I've Loved Before turned him into the internet's boyfriend overnight.
He didn't stay in the rom-com lane, though. Noah bulked up—massively—to play Atom Smasher alongside The Rock in Black Adam. He also led The Recruit on Netflix, showing he could do the gritty CIA thing. It’s funny looking back at those early episodes where he was just a kid trying to pass his junior year, knowing he’d eventually be trade punches with Pierce Brosnan on a giant IMAX screen.
The Quiet Brilliance of the Parents: Teri Polo and Sherri Saum
Stef and Lena were the blueprint. Period.
Teri Polo was already a massive name because of Meet the Parents, but The Fosters gave her a chance to show a side of her that comedy never touched. Since the show ended, she’s been all over the place, notably joining the NCIS universe as Vivian Kolchak.
Sherri Saum, on the other hand, has become the queen of the guest arc. You’ve seen her in Grey's Anatomy, Locke & Key, and Power Book II: Ghost. There’s a certain gravitas Sherri brings to every role. She doesn't just play "the mom" anymore; she plays women with secrets, women with power.
The chemistry between these two is still the gold standard for LGBTQ+ representation on television. They didn't just play characters; they navigated the politics of a multi-racial, blended family in a way that felt authentic because they actually liked each other. They still post photos together. That's not PR. That's real.
Hayden Byerly and the Transition Out of Child Stardom
Playing Jude Adams Foster was a heavy lift for a kid. Jude’s "blue nail polish" moment is still one of the most iconic scenes in modern TV history. Hayden Byerly grew up on our screens, literally going through puberty in front of millions.
Post-Fosters, Hayden has been more selective. He’s done voice work and appeared in The 11th Step, but he’s also spent a lot of time on advocacy. He works heavily with "Be A Star," an anti-bullying organization. It’s rare to see a child actor come out the other side of a long-running series so well-adjusted. He didn't chase the blockbuster dragon; he seems content building a life that isn't dictated by a call sheet.
💡 You might also like: Diesel La Torraca Age 2025: Why Fans Can't Stop Talking About the Austin Miller Time Warp
Danny Nucci: The Dad We Didn't Expect to Love
Mike Foster was a complicated guy. Danny Nucci (who most people recognize as Fabrizio from Titanic) played the "ex-husband/cop" role with so much nuance. After the show, Danny moved into the 9-1-1 world and The Offer. He’s a character actor in the truest sense. He’s the guy who makes everyone around him look better.
The Breakout Talent: David Lambert and the Indie Path
David Lambert (Brandon) was always the most "serious" actor on set. His storylines were often the most polarizing—let’s not even get into the whole Brandon/Callie "Brallie" saga because we’ll be here all day.
Since the show wrapped, David has kept a lower profile than Noah or Maia, but his work remains sharp. He’s focused on smaller, more character-driven projects. He’s a musician in real life, too, which informed how he played Brandon’s obsession with the piano. He hasn't sold out for a Marvel cape yet, and honestly, he doesn't seem to want to.
Surprising Cameos and Supporting Players Who Blew Up
If you rewatch the show now, it’s like a "Who’s Who" of future stars.
- Bailee Madison: She was already famous, but her turn as Sophia Quinn showed a darker, more manipulative side we hadn't seen. She went on to lead Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.
- Jordan Rodrigues: Mat Tan! He went from being Mariana’s boyfriend to starring in Lady Bird and National Treasure: Edge of History.
- Tom Williamson: AJ. He’s been working steadily in shows like The Goldbergs and Elementary.
The Legacy of The Fosters in 2026
Why do people still care about the actors from The Fosters?
It’s because the show was ahead of its time. It dealt with immigration, the failures of the foster care system, trans rights, and systemic racism before it was "trendy" for networks to do so. The actors weren't just reading lines; they were part of a cultural shift.
When you see Maia Mitchell or Cierra Ramirez today, you don't just see celebrities. You see the faces of a movement that made a lot of kids feel safe for the first time. That’s why their careers have longevity. They built a foundation of trust with their audience.
How to Keep Up With the Cast Today
If you’re looking to follow their current moves, here is the best way to do it without getting lost in the tabloid noise:
- Watch "Good Trouble" on Hulu: Even though it has ended, it features the most significant post-show work for Cierra and Maia.
- Follow their production companies: Cierra Ramirez is moving heavily into the "Behind the Scenes" world. Keep an eye on the credits of new Latinx-led indies; her name is popping up more and more as a producer.
- The Indie Film Circuit: Watch for David Lambert and Maia Mitchell in the festival circuits (Sundance, SXSW). That is where they are doing their most "soul-searching" work.
- Advocacy Portals: Many of these actors are still involved with the Foster More organization. Supporting those causes is the best way to honor the show's original mission.
The reality of Hollywood is that most casts drift apart. But the actors from The Fosters seem to have stayed a family. Whether it’s appearing in each other’s Instagram stories or showing up for premieres, they’ve maintained a bond that mirrors the one they portrayed on screen. They’ve grown from "ABC Family kids" into some of the most respected professionals in the industry. And honestly, we love to see it.