Russell Hornsby in "Lincoln Heights"
courtesy of ABC Family
"Lincoln Heights" (ABC Family)

"Lincoln Heights" is an original series returning for its second season on the ABC Family Channel. Highly acclaimed for its first year of drama and importance, this series once again studies the life of one family living in a powderkeg of a neighborhood close to Los Angeles. Here the family tries to live a normal life and also to give a hand to those in the community who are overwhelmed by the inequities of life.

Russell Hornsby stars as Eddie Sutton, a cop who tries to play the role of moderator in the community. He knows that there is violence building in his community and does everything he can to diffuse it. Still while keeping an eye on the streets he must also take care of his family.

Nicki Micheaux plays his wife Jenn a registered nurse who sees the violence that does occur. She does everything she can to be supportive of Eddie but always keeps her family's interests first. Cassie (Erica Hubbard) is the oldest of the Sutton children. Headstrong and fearless she embarks upon a relationship with a fellow high school student named Charles (Robert Adamson). He is white and she is black but she doesn't care about the consequences.

Tay and Lizzie (Mishon Ratliff and Rhyon Brown) are the two youngest Sutton children. They have their own problems in middle school where they are slowly beginning to see the gang influence that is everywhere. Eddie and Jenn fight to keep them away from the wrong influences.

"Lincoln Heights" gives a seemingly realistic look at the problems facing families living in these types of communities today. The audience observes the efforts of some and the reluctance to be a part of the solution by others. There are no easy answers to the questions raised in this series but at least they show people who are trying to find them.

This is a series that informs and entertains. For this reason alone it should be watched, and for this reason "Lincoln Heights" truly deserved a second season.

"Lincoln Heights" premieres on the ABC Family Channel on Tuesday, September 4 at 8PM.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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