PREMIERE

THE PERSONAL LIVES OF THREE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BEGIN TO UNFOLD, ON THE PREMIERE OF "life as we know it," THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, ON ABC

From the producers of the critically-acclaimed series "Freaks and Geeks," Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah, and the former co-chairman of the ABC Entertainment Television Group, Stuart Bloomberg, comes a one-hour drama series based on British author Melvin Burgess' breakthrough novel, Doing It. "life as we know it" defines the spirit of life through the eyes of Dino Whitman, Jonathan Fields and Ben Connor, three hormone-charged teenage boys on the brink of becoming young men. This coming-of-age story is not just about sex - which does dominate their every thought - girlfriends and sports, but about how the pressures of growing up affect their attitudes toward the things and people they love, and how these experiences with their families, friends, coaches and teachers shape them into men, when "life as we know it" premieres, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC television network.

In the premiere episode, "Pilot," Dino (Sean Faris) is a rising hockey star with athletic good looks and charisma that make him the envy of his classmates. Fascinated by his beautiful girlfriend, Jackie (Missy Peregrym), he can barely control his teenage sexual impulses. His confidence is wildly shaken when he makes a devastating discovery about the relationship of his parents, Annie (Lisa Darr) and Michael Whitman (D.B. Sweeney). Meanwhile, Jackie quietly struggles with her own sexual boundaries with Dino and relies heavily on her friends, Sue (Jessica Lucas) and Deborah (Kelly Osbourne), to maintain her willpower.

Bright, sarcastic and utterly consumed by thoughts of girls, Ben (Jon Foster) is under constant pressure from his parents to achieve unattainable perfection. Mesmerized by his English teacher, Ms. Monica Young (Marguerite Moreau), Ben becomes simultaneously thrilled and panicked when she actually responds positively to his flirtation.

Jonathan (Chris Lowell), the least confident but most creative and grounded of the three friends, finds secret comfort in his relationship with the eccentric, full-bodied Deborah (Kelly Osbourne), because she shares his world view. Despite his insecurity and worries about ridicule from his friends, Jonathan decides to trust his feelings for Deborah and forges ahead with taking their relationship to the next level.

"life as we know it" stars Sean Faris ("Sleepover") as Dino Whitman, Jon Foster ("The Door in the Floor") as Ben Conner, Chris Lowell as Jonathan Fielder, Missy Peregrym ("Catwoman") as Jackie Bradford, Kelly Osbourne ("The Osbournes") as Deborah Tynan, D.B. Sweeney ("No Man's Land") as Michael Whitman, Lisa Darr ("Popular") as Annie Whitman, Marguerite Moreau ("Runaway Jury") as Ms. Monica Young and Jessica Lucas ("Seven Days") as Sue Miller.

Guest cast TBD.

"Pilot" was written by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah and directed by Michael Engler.

"life as we know it" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

"life as we know it" is created by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah (both of "Freaks and Geeks" and "Just Shoot Me"), who are executive producers together with Stuart Bloomberg. The one-hour drama is from Sachs-Judah Productions and (ca)bloom! in association with Touchstone Television.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.