GILLES MARINI IS PROMOTED TO SERIES REGULAR ON ABC FAMILY'S HIT DRAMA "SWITCHED AT BIRTH"

Burbank, CA (September 18, 2012) - Actor Gilles Marini has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming second season of "Switched at Birth," the hit original drama on ABC Family. Gilles has a recurring role in the first season as Angelo Sorrento, Bay's biological father and Regina's ex, who comes back into their lives after finding out about the switch.

The Fall leg of the first season is currently airing Mondays at 8:00 PM ET/PT on ABC Family, with the second season premiering in early 2013. Fall season to date, "Switched at Birth" ranks as the #1 scripted cable TV telecast in Women 18-34 and Women 18-49 against all Monday cable TV telecasts.

Gilles can also be seen on the upcoming season of "Dancing with the Stars: All Stars" on ABC.

"Switched at Birth" is executive-produced by Lizzy Weiss ("Blue Crush"), Paul Stupin ("Make It or Break It"), Becky Hartman Edwards ("Parenthood") and John Ziffren ("Melissa & Joey," "Make It or Break It"). The series stars Katie Leclerc as Daphne Vasquez; Vanessa Marano ("Gilmore Girls") as Bay Kennish; Constance Marie ("George Lopez") as Regina Vasquez; D.W. Moffett ("Friday Night Lights") as John Kennish; Lea Thompson ("Back to the Future," "Caroline in the City") as Kathryn Kennish; Lucas Grabeel ("High School Musical") as Toby Kennish; and Sean Berdy as Emmett Bledsoe with guest star Marlee Matlin ("The West Wing").

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 97 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today's relationships - told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. Emmy(R) Award-winning ABCFamily.com provides a variety of interactive entertainment and community features, from rich, fan-centric programming - including blogs, viewing parties, webisodes, full episodes of the network's hit programming, along with sneak peek exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes clips. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.