The Fosters is a sitcom.
Teri Polo . She was one of the stars of the sitcom I 'm with Her ( 2003 -- 2004 ) , had a recurring role as Helen Santos on the political drama series The West Wing ( 2005 -- 2006 ) and currently plays the lead role of police officer Stef Adams Foster in the ABC Family series The Fosters ( 2013 -- present ) . The Fosters is an American family drama television series created by Peter Paige and Bradley Bredeweg which first premiered in the United States on June 3 , 2013 on the Freeform ( previously named ABC Family ) television network .