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Production on the new ABC Family drama series, “The Fosters” starts today, meaning Sherri Saum (ex-Keri Reynolds, “One Life to Live;” ex-Vanessa Hart, “Sunset Beach”) is back to work! But just what will the actress be doing under executive producer Jennifer Lopez’ command?

Turns out, the actress is playing opposite Teri Polo, and both women play gay mothers raising a mix of multi-ethnic foster and biological children. Since the show takes a hard look at gay marriage and parenting within a groundbreaking premise that addresses the foster care system, mixed racial families and teen issues, it’s sure to be a topic of discussion as the Supreme Court rules on the legalities of the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage next month.

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Sherri Saum is getting the last laugh after being let go from ABC’s new dramedy “The Deep End” last fall.

Created by “How I Met Your Mother” Co-Executive Producer David Hemingson, “Deep End” premiered to low ratings on Thursday, January 21 drawing just 7.07 million viewers and a 1.8/5 in Adults 18-49, placing the series 3rd in viewers and 4th in the all important demo. By comparison, the series only beat The CW’s “Vampire Diaries” by  a mere 12.5% (1.8 vs 1.6) in Adults 18-49. “Deep End” was down 25% from what “FlashForward” had averaged in the same time period this season.

In September, it was announced that Saum would be replaced by “Soul Food“ actress Nicole Ari Parker in the role of Susan, the “sexy, smart, steely lioness of the firm’s litigation department whose husband, Clifford Huddle (Billy Zane), is the firm’s new managing partner.”

The series stars Matt Long (”Jack & Bobby”) as Dylan Hewitt, a young attorney who starts working for the prestigious Los Angeles law firm Sterling, Huddle, Oppenheim & Craft. Former “Desperate Housewives” heart-throb Mehcad Brooks also stars.

Despite its poor debut numbers, “Deep End is still scheduled to air on Thursday, January 28 at 8/7c on ABC.

From 2001-2003, Saum portrayed Keri Reynolds on ABC’s “One Life to Live” and Vanessa Hart from 1997-1999 on NBC’s “Sunset Beach.” The actress has had numerous starring roles in such series as Showtime’s “Beggars and Choosers,” HBO’s “In Treatment” and the FX drama “Rescue Me.”