TAMERA MOWRY STARS IN THE NEW ABC FAMILY ORIGINAL SERIES "ROOMMATES" PREMIERING ON MONDAY, MARCH 23RD

"Roommates" Also Stars Tyler Francavilla, Dorian Brown, Tommy Dewey and David Weidoff

Burbank, CA (February 9, 2009) � The bags are packed, the boxes are already moved in and five twenty-somethings are about to embark on the funny and unpredictable rollercoaster ride of living with "Roommates," the new ABC Family original comedy series premiering on Monday, March 23rd (9:00 � 9:30 PM ET/PT). The 13 all-new half-hour episodes star Tamera Mowry ("Sister, Sister"), Tyler Francavilla, Dorian Brown, Tommy Dewey and David Weidoff.

"Roommates" follows a group of friends in New York City trying to figure out love and life in their post-collegiate years. Loveable but awkward Mark (Francavilla) stumbles upon his dream come true when he runs into his old high-school crush, Katie (Brown), and becomes her new roommate in an attempt to finally win her heart. Unfortunately for Mark, Katie is still in love with her on-again/off-again boyfriend. Further complicating matters, Mark doesn't hit it off with Katie's best friend and roommate, Hope (Mowry), a strong willed executive who Mark learns, unbeknownst to her fellow roommates, has lost her job and now secretly works at a coffee shop. The fourth and final apartment mate is James (Dewey), who works in the investment world and takes great pleasure in watching Mark's feeble attempts to win Katie's favor. Rounding out the group is Mark's former roommate and best friend, Thom (Weidoff), a quirky guy who takes an instant liking to Hope.

As they look for love, inside the apartment and out, struggle with their current and future job options, and deal with overbearing parents who can't seem to let go, the roommates lean on each other to make it through this tough but exciting time of life. Now, if they could just figure out a bathroom schedule that would work for everyone!

The new original series was created by supervising producers Robin French and Kieron Quirke, along with Matt Green, and is executive produced by Chris Case ("Reba"), Mindy Schutheis ("Rita Rocks," "Reba"), Michael Hanel ("Rita Rocks," "Reba") and John Ziffren. Mitch Hunter ("Gary Unmarried") and Jana Hunter ("Gary Unmarried") are co-executive producers, with producer Franco E. Bario.

"Roommates" is part of ABC Family's first-ever one-hour comedy block, along with the new series "Sophie," which airs Mondays at 9:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT.

Part of the Disney-ABC Television Group, ABC Family, distributed in over 95 million homes, features original movies, series and specials reflecting today's families and entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories about today's relationships, all told with diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a mix of quality acquired series and theatricals as well as original movies and scripted dramas. ABC Family is also the destination for Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas" branded programming events. ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.