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Season 1 – Switched at Birth

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Switched at Birth 2011 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Bay Kennish is a teenager who grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and a brother. Fellow teen Daphne Vasquez, who lost her hearing at an early age, was raised by a single mother in a working-class neighborhood. One day in her high-school chemistry class, Bay discovers that her blood type doesn't match either of her parents'. Official tests confirm that Bay is not her parents' birth child. When the Kennish family meets Daphne and her mom, Regina, they realize that the girls were switched at birth. The news prompts the Kennishes to allow Regina -- who is experiencing financial difficulties -- Daphne and Daphne's grandmother to live in their guest house. The two polar-opposite families struggle to learn how to live together for the sake of the girls, who try to keep their footing in both the world they know and the new one into which they are thrown.

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Switched at Birth — Season 1

Switched at Birth — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Despite leaning on a tried-and-true premise, Switched at Birth proves to be an entertaining remix thanks to fresh writing and charming characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Daniel Fienberg HitFix I watched those scenes [between Daphne and Emmett] and felt like they were something I'd rarely seen before on television, often wishing that everything else could be similarly fresh. Sep 11, 2013 Full Review Carrie Raisler AV Club Switched at Birth isn't the most innovative summer show of the season or the most sexy summer show on even its own network, but it might be the one with the most potential for broad appeal. Rated: B Sep 11, 2013 Full Review Mary McNamara Los Angeles Times If the situation of Switched at Birth often seems surreal and at times contrived, the performances keep the story grounded as yet another alternative American family blooms under the California sun. Jun 6, 2011 Full Review Rachel Stein Television Without Pity Switched at Birth is actually just a good teen drama. Sep 11, 2013 Full Review Emily Ashby Common Sense Media Although the story centers on a unique (and improbable) challenge that two families face, its messages resonate with a much broader audience. Rated: 4/5 Sep 11, 2013 Full Review Tom Gliatto People Magazine Katie Leclerc is instantly, sunnily appealing as Daphne, a hearing-impaired girl who learns she was sent home from the hospital with the wrong mom. Vanessa Marano is fine as the other misplaced kid, except she's a sulker and sort of a drag. Rated: 3/4 Jun 13, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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jon c a really enjoyable first season involving two young girls Vanessa Marano and Katie Leclerc find out they were literally switched as babies by accident and it changes both of their lives completely the set of parents adjusts to the idea the best they can but it isn't a happy realization from the start the Kennishes take in the Vasquez family into their home and it's a rocky journey to adjust to this new life; both girls come to terms with the lives they could've had if the switch didn't happen Bay is artistic and rebellious and free-spirited and Daphne is kind, gentle and lighthearted but the big thing about her that stands out is that she's deaf still, that doesn't stop her from living the way she wants to Bay over time picks up a few words of wisdom from her, too 30 episodes has the creators take its time to develop both girls, their friends, and their families of course new secrets and old lies start popping up that makes the drama that much more interesting I actually did tear up very hard in one episode, not lying I'm deeply fascinated by the sign language the writers insert to make it more accessible to the handicapped demographic new friendships emerge, first crushes are born, big decisions are made, and these people manage to blend together to make quite the family Bay and Daphne are different but alike still in so many regards really good start here Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Season 1: Was a good season for Switched at Birth! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Switched at Birth — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Katie Leclerc

Daphne Vasquez

Vanessa Marano

Bay Kennish

Constance Marie

Regina Vasquez

D.W. Moffett

John Kennish

Lea Thompson

Kathryn Kennish

Lucas Grabeel

Toby Kennish

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jun 6, 2011 This Is Not a Pipe Two families learn that a hospital mix-up years earlier resulted in their biological children being sent home with the wrong parents. Details Episode 2 Aired Jun 13, 2011 American Gothic The parents contend with the new living situation; Daphne spends time with Liam; Regina opens up about her past. Details Episode 3 Aired Jun 20, 2011 Portrait of My Father Bay asks questions about her biological father; John and Daphne bond over basketball; Kathryn helps Regina find a job. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 27, 2011 Dance Amongst Daggers Kathryn hosts a fundraiser at the Kennish home, where guests gossip about Bay and Daphne's unusual story; Melody flirts with John; Emmett comes to the rescue when Toby needs a last-minute drummer. Details Episode 5 Aired Jul 4, 2011 Dogs Playing Poker Bay's parents discover she is sneaking around with Ty and as a punishment, invite Ty over for an awkward family dinner. Details Episode 6 Aired Jul 11, 2011 The Persistence of Memory Kathryn brings up the subject of cochlear implants when Daphne has difficulty at school; Emmett helps Bay uncover the identity of her father; Toby plots a theft to pay off a gambling debt. Details Episode 7 Aired Jul 18, 2011 The Stag Hunt John and Kathryn learn surprising news about their lawsuit against the hospital; Daphne discovers a secret Regina has been hiding; Bay and Emmett continue to grow closer. Details Episode 8 Aired Jul 25, 2011 Pandora's Box Bay and Emmett's relationship gets more serious; Regina comes clean about a secret she has been hiding from everyone. Details Episode 9 Aired Aug 1, 2011 Paradise Lost Regina attempts to reconnect with her daughters during their birthdays; Emmett and Bay's plan to tag a wall draws the attention of the police. Details Episode 10 Aired Aug 8, 2011 The Homecoming Bay's life is changed by someone who shows up to her art show; Daphne reveals her feelings to Emmett. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 3, 2012 Starry Night Bay is given a glimpse of what life with her biological parents might have been like; Daphne follows Emmett to a music festival. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 10, 2012 The Tempest Melody remains unsupportive of Bay and Emmett's relationship; Daphne considers leaving the Carlton basketball team to play for a rival. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 17, 2012 Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear Bay is blamed for Emmett's troubles; Daphne's basketball coach won't let her play; Angelo offers Regina a tempting business proposition. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 24, 2012 Les Soeurs d'Estrees Daphne and Bay try to help Emmett keep his motorcycle; John and Kathryn interview potential new attorneys; Daphne has reservations about Regina's business partnership with Angelo. Details Episode 15 Aired Jan 31, 2012 Expulsion From the Garden of Eden Emmett moves into his father's apartment and meets his eccentric new girlfriend; Kathryn invites Angelo over for dinner; Daphne and Wilke go on a date. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 7, 2012 Las Dos Fridas Kathryn's mother pays a visit; Bay and Regina probe Angelo's disappearance; Toby's new girlfriend tries to change him. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 14, 2012 Protect Me From What I Want Emmett gathers the Kennish and Vasquez families together for a group portrait; an art gallery owner takes an interest in Regina's work; Bay reassures Emmett that her feelings for Ty are in the past. Details Episode 18 Aired Feb 21, 2012 The Art of Painting An argument between Emmett's parents spoils Regina's first art show; Daphne cannot decide between her two schools; Kathryn jeopardizes her and John's legal case against the hospital. Details Episode 19 Aired Feb 28, 2012 Write a Lonely Soldier Daphne reconsiders her relationship with Wilke; Emmett learns that Bay is still in contact with Ty; Kathryn's past actions jeopardize the Kennish's case. Details Episode 20 Aired Mar 6, 2012 Game On Bay is caught in the middle of Emmett's custody battle; Daphne plays in an important basketball game; Kathryn meets with a book editor to discuss the possibility of publishing a biography. Details Episode 21 Aired Mar 13, 2012 The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters Bay and Daphne plan a zombie movie shoot for Emmett's birthday present.; Kathryn learns that John has secrets of his own. Details Episode 22 Aired Mar 20, 2012 Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time Daphne asks Wilke to be her prom date; Emmett's secret threatens to spoil his night with Bay; Angelo's return causes problems; John and Kathryn's marriage is tested. Details Episode 23 Aired Sep 3, 2012 This Is the Color of My Dreams Bay returns from the Galapagos Islands with a new boyfriend in tow; Daphne begins working at a local restaurant; Regina takes action to keep Angelo from being deported. Details Episode 24 Aired Sep 10, 2012 The Intruder Regina's impulsive wedding creates major consequences for the Vasquez and Kennish families; Daphne and Emmett enter their zombie flick in a film festival; Bay meets a talented street artist. Details Episode 25 Aired Sep 17, 2012 The Shock of Being Seen Daphne fears the worst after she causes an accident at the restaurant; Bay uses Angelo to get around John's rules; Regina gets more attention than Kathryn during an interview for the new book. Details Episode 26 Aired Sep 24, 2012 Tree of Forgiveness Emmett meets an attractive motorcyclist; John's car wash is vandalized; Kathryn devises a way to get Toby out of the house. Details Episode 27 Aired Oct 1, 2012 The Declaration of Independence Bay and Zarra get into a dangerous situation when they search for the tagger who is ruining their street art; Chef Jeff's mixed signals confuse Daphne. Details Episode 28 Aired Oct 8, 2012 We Are the Kraken of Our Own Sinking Ships Bay is called upon to rescue Zarra from a sticky situation; Scuba asks Daphne to lie to Chef Jeff; Toby and Nikki bond. Details Episode 29 Aired Oct 15, 2012 The Trial Bay rushes to return money she took from John's safe to help Zarra; Daphne and Jeff have relationship difficulties; Emmett forms a new band with Nikki and Toby. Details Episode 30 Aired Oct 22, 2012 Street Noises Invade the House The families' lives are disrupted as the trial concludes; Bay and Zarra leave in secret; Daphne's relationship with Jeff is exposed. Details

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Switched at Birth — Season 1

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Lizzy Weiss, Paul Stupin, John Ziffren
Network
Freeform
Rating
TV-14 (D)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jun 6, 2011