The N Delves Into Identity and Self Discovery With Its New Teen Drama 'South of Nowhere' Beginning November 4

The N Delves Into Identity and Self Discovery With Its New Teen Drama 'South of Nowhere' Beginning November 4

New Series From Creator Tom Lynch Tackles Issues of Family, Racial Identity, Sexual Identity, Parental Expectations, Faith and Peer Pressure, Among Others

Acclaimed Directors Include: Donna Dietch, Robert Townsend, Paul Hoen, Troy Beyer and Charles Randolph-Wright

NEW YORK, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The N, the nighttime network for teens, will unveil "South of Nowhere," an original new half-hour dramatic series from veteran creator/executive producer Tom Lynch (Romeo!, Scout's Safari, Caitlin's Way). Shot on location in Los Angeles, the new 11-episode series will kick off with a one-hour premiere on Friday, November 4 from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. (ET) on The N. The series will air regularly every Friday night at 8:30 p.m. (ET) only on The N.

South of Nowhere is a fictional story about a contemporary American family and their multi-faceted journey of self-discovery. Set in Los Angeles, the series chronicles the five members of the Carlin family as they try to define themselves and make sense of their lives while they undergo a huge transition -- moving from a small town in Ohio to the big city of Los Angeles. The Carlins find they are unprepared for the fast-paced, metropolitan environment and the overcrowded, "anything goes" L.A. public school the family's three teenagers attend. The family is at the heart of the series and while their characters are unique, they reflect many American families today -- bound by their evolving identity and their close relationships.

South of Nowhere will deal in honest, authentic and compelling ways with issues all families and adolescents confront including: identity, self- discovery, sexual identity, racial identity, family, faith, parental expectations and peer pressure, among others. Parent discussion guides are available for each episode of the series on http:%5C\discussions.the-n.com. The episode-specific guides offer parents tips and questions about the topics raised in South of Nowhere to use as discussion starters with teens.

"Teen audiences will relate to each of the characters in this entertaining and realistic story, and will follow the Carlins' triumphs, conflicts and setbacks as they are met with surprise, drama and humor -- just like in any modern day family," said Tom Ascheim, General Manager, The N.

The Carlin family includes: * Clay (Danso Gordon) is the Carlins' adopted, 17-year-old, African- American son. He is smart, aware and trying to figure out how he fits into this new world. He was adopted by the Carlin family when he was 8 years old and often feels a sense of guilt and abandonment over his birth mother. He also feels an unrealistic responsibility to be perfect as a payback for being adopted. Clay struggles between his black heritage and his white upbringing. * Spencer (Gabrielle Christian) a 16-year-old, strong, athletic and attractive young girl who never felt like she fit in small town America. She is excited about her new life in Southern California, but begins to question everything -- her friends, family, boundaries, school life and even her sexuality. * Glen (Chris Hunter) is a handsome and confident 17-year-old who seemingly has the world in his pocket. The star basketball player hopes to keep up his "big man on campus" image and his popularity with the girls. Glen is going for the professional athlete's life and faces difficult choices. * Paula Carlin (Maeve Quinlan) is a 40-year-old wife, mother and career woman who is focused and driven. Firm in her Irish Catholic beliefs, she is a loving parent, but not a particularly warm one. In L.A. she struggles to find a balance between her work and family life, as her demanding job as an ER doctor keeps her out of the home a lot. When she begins to see changes in her children and husband, she questions her motives for moving her family to this urban city. * Arthur Carlin (Rob Moran) is a 40-year-old father, dedicated to his family. He is an old-school free spirit, but in L.A. he finds himself as a man who has lost something he is trying to find. Arthur's marriage starts to show strain as his wife's demanding job as a doctor takes her away from the family. As a social worker, he has seen a lot and nothing in the human experience shocks him until his own children dance dangerously close to the fire.

Other main characters include: * Ashley Davies (Mandy Musgrave) - 16-year-old Ashley is the product of privileged city life. Ashley is Spencer's first friend in LA and a guide to Spencer's new world. She has a natural sensuality and appeal and is at ease with herself. She refuses to be labeled as gay or straight. * Aiden Dennison (Matthew Cohen) - To the world, Aiden is the 17-year-old, handsome, high school basketball star. Inside he is a sensitive thinker, but plays the jock role because it's where he fits in and the social benefits aren't too bad either. He and Ashley used to be a couple, until the day she told him she was interested in girls. It crushed his ego, but now he's got his eye on the cute new girl, Spencer Carlin. * Madison Duarte (Valery Ortiz) - 16-year-old Madison Duarte is a multi- ethnic, beautiful cheerleader and leader of the "it" girls. Concerned with social status, she breaks up with Aiden to pursue Glen, the new star of the high school basketball team. Her plan is to be a sport star's wife and this strong-willed girl is determined to get what she wants. * Sean Miller (Austen Parros) - 17-year-old Sean Miller is a tough, smart, African-American male who is a natural born leader. Sean challenges Clay on his "blackness," but eventually takes him under his wing and the two soon become good friends.

South of Nowhere will premiere with the following hour-long episode entitled, "Secret Truths":

After mother, Paula Carlin gets a new job, the Carlin family is forced to pick up and move from their home in small town Ohio to big city Los Angeles, CA. The three Carlin siblings - Spencer, jock older brother, Glen and adopted African-American brother Clay, must all try to adjust to a new school, new friends and new sets of problems on their own. Spencer quickly meets Ashley Davies, a party girl who doesn't care what people say, even though they are talking about her quite a bit. The chemistry between them is instantaneous and a friendship quickly develops. The Carlin teens will soon see what it takes to make it at King High with new friends like Aiden, Madison and Sean at a place where everyone is trying to fit in and find their identity.

South of Nowhere was directed by Donna Dietch (eps. 101 &102), Robert Townsend (eps. 103 & 107), Paul Hoen (eps. 104, 106, 110 & 111) Troy Beyer (ep. 105) and Charles Randolph-Wright (eps. 108 & 109).

Tom Lynch, founder and president of The Tom Lynch Company, creates programming that engages kids' minds, imaginations and energy-and he's been doing so since his first project, KIDS Incorporated, the original variety show for youngsters. Since then, Lynch has helped revolutionize kids' programming by consistently breaking new ground, as with his landmark show, The Secret World of Alex Mack, the first series to reach the elusive and sought-after tween market, and the first to feature a strong female role model as its lead character.

Lynch's roster of hits includes 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd, The Jersey, Caitlin's Way, Just Deal, Skate, Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension, and Scout's Safari, which was set and filmed on location in South Africa. Lynch's hip-hop sitcom Romeo!, starring hip-hop artist Master P and his real- life son, Lil' Romeo, currently airs on Nickelodeon. Lynch and the company that bears his name continue to create uniquely fresh, innovative shows that resonate with youth audiences around the world by "illuminating the magic of the human experience"-celebrating all the drama, the humor, the kookiness and reality of human beings' lives.

The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 45 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N's mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network's web site www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Source: The N

CONTACT: Jodi Davis, +1-212-654-6646, Jodi.davis@noggin.com, or Maria Poulos, +1-212-654-6632, Maria.Poulos@mtvnmix.com

Web site: http://www.nick.com/

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