THE FOSTERS Returns!

The critically-acclaimed series, THE FOSTERS, which stars Teri Polo and Sherri Saum (Keri, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; Vanessa, SUNSET BEACH), returns tonight, Monday, January 19, on ABC Family at 8 p.m. ET with its winter premiere. The show is executive produced by Joanna Johnson (Karen; ex-Caroline, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL), who promises that the story points introduced in the premiere and in last December’s Christmas special will continue to play out as the rest of the season unfolds.

“Callie’s going to be spending a lot of time with her [birth father] Robert Quinn (played by AS THE WORLD TURNS’ Kerr Smith, Ryder). She’ll start to develop a relationship with him [which] could be confusing to her,” Johnson says. “We’re also going to [continue to] explore the friendship between Jude and Connor.”

Later in the season, viewers will see guest stars including THE VIEW’s Rosie O’Donnell *(Naomi, ALL MY CHILDREN) and *Patrick Duffy (ex-Stephen, B&B; Bobby, DALLAS). “Last season, Girls United [which Rosie’s character, Rita, ran] burned down so she’s without a home to bring girls to,” Johnson notes. “We love having Rosie on our show. She’s such a dynamic, warm person. Patrick’s going to be playing Robert’s father. We’ve alluded to the dynamic [with] Robert’s father having something to do with him leaving Callie’s mother. Callie’s going to meet her biological grandfather and it’ll be interesting.”

Johnson says she grew to admire Duffy’s talent when he was doing a scene on B&B as Katie’s dad. “I was mesmerized,” the actress/producer recalls. “He just nailed it one take. He was so good I forgot I was in the scene!” It’ll take a while for Duffy to pop up on the show, but Johnson is hoping he returns for future episodes. “We definitely want to bring him back!”

For more, don’t miss Johnson’s Keeping Track feature in the new issue of CBS Soaps In Depth on sale Monday, January 26!