LORI LOUGHLIN

as "Ava Gregory"

Born and raised in Hauppauge, Long Island, Loughlin got her start in show business at a young age. After only six months of acting lessons, Loughlin was cast in the daytime drama The Edge of Night, for which she received a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Actress in a Daytime Series. In 1985, Loughlin was cast in the feature film Secret Admirer, a romantic comedy co-starring C. Thomas Howell and Kelly Preston. Loughlin also starred opposite Treat Williams in Critical Mass. She appeared in the beach movie spoof Back to the Beach, as well as in Rad, a film about BMX racing, and Amityville 3-D, the third installment of the Amityville horror movie franchise. Born and raised in Hauppauge, Long Island, Loughlin got her start in show business at a young age. After only six months of acting lessons, Loughlin was cast in the daytime drama The Edge of Night, for which she received a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Actress in a Daytime Series. In 1985, Loughlin was cast in the feature film Secret Admirer, a romantic comedy co-starring C. Thomas Howell and Kelly Preston. Loughlin also starred opposite Treat Williams in Critical Mass. She appeared in the beach movie spoof Back to the Beach, as well as in Rad, a film about BMX racing, and Amityville 3-D, the third installment of the Amityville horror movie franchise.

SHAWN CHRISTIAN

as "Johnny Durant"

Known to television audiences for his role as Mike Kasnoff in the daytime drama As the World Turns, Shawn Christian stars in Summerland as Ava's good friend Johnny. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Christian has enjoyed a successful and varied career as an actor. After graduating from Michigan's Ferris State University with a degree in marketing, he relocated to Chicago. It was there that he honed his acting skills on stage with the improvisational company Improv Olympic. After spending three seasons in As the World Turns, Christian moved to Los Angeles and landed recurring roles in Crossing Jordan 10-8, Beverly Hills, 90210, Pacific Palisades, and Becker, as well as The WB dramas Charmed and Birds of Prey. He returned to his comic roots with his appearance on Friends playing Rachel's gynecologist. Christian has also guest-starred in such series as CSI, The Drew Carey Show, Spin City and Coupling. Additional television work includes CSI, Malcolm & Eddie, Ellen, Men Behaving Badly and Step By Step. Christian also starred in the television movie Undercover Christmas, opposite Jamie Gertz and Tyne Daly.

MERRIN DUNGEY

as "Susannah Rexford"

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Dungey's heart has always been into performing. She studied ballet and ice-skating as a child and took up acting at the age of 18. Dungey hosted a local teen talk show and starred in several commercials. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the UCLA School of Theater. As a sophomore, Dungey was the youngest recipient ever to receive the UCLA Acting Award for Best Actor. Oscar-winner Denzel Washington presented the award to her. Following UCLA, Dungey went on to study under acting coach Milton Katselas and was signed on to the first pilot she auditioned for, Party Girl. In between acting gigs, she also explored the stand-up circuit, signing with an agent after her first performance. She later wrote and starred in Black Like Who? a one-woman show for HBO Comedy Workspace. This led to a stand-up engagement at the Montreal Comedy Festival in 1998. Her performance garnered great attention and led to an act on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and a recurring role in The King of Queens. Most recently, Dungey appeared in Alias as Francie, Sydney's (Jennifer Garner) best friend. She has also recurred in Malcolm in the Middle and The WB's Grosse Pointe. Her impressive list of noteworthy guest appearances include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Friends, ER, The West Wing, Caroline in the City, Murphy Brown, Martin, Living Single and Tracy Takes On... Dungey's film credits include Ed TV, Deep Impact and How to Make an American Quilt. Dungey currently resides in Los Angeles.

RYAN KWANTEN

as "Jay Robertson"

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Kwanten got into acting by chance after accompanying his brother to an audition where Ryan gave a reading and was signed up by the casting agents. An avid surfer and swimmer, Kwanten was cast in a guest-starring role as a surfer in Home and Away when he was 15 years old. A few years later, he landed a leading role in the series as Vinnie Patterson and stayed with the show for three seasons. He also starred in the Australian series Spellbinder II and guest-starred in A Country Practice, GP and Water Rats. In the U.S., Kwanten had a leading role in Junction Boys and guest-starred in The Handler and Tru Calling. Summerland marks his debut as a regular cast member in an American series. Kwanten starred in a feature film about surfing called Liquid Bridge that was nominated for Best Picture at the Australian Film Festival. He recently finished production on the coming-of-age independent film American Brown, in which he stars as the title character. He won the award for Best Australian Actor at the Inside Soap Awards for his role in Home and Away and was nominated for a Silver Logie at the 2002 Logie Awards, Australia's version of the Emmys.

JESSE MCCARTNEY

as "Bradin Westerly"

Sixteen-year-old Jesse McCartney has already received two Emmy nominations, two Young Artist Awards and a nomination for a Soap Opera Digest Award for his acting. He was also a member of the singing group known as the Sugar Beats prior to being a member of the platinum-selling pop group Dream Street. As a solo recording artist, Jesse's current hit single "Beautiful Soul" is rising up the charts. His recently released album of the same name is establishing him as an accomplished singer-songwriter and rising music star. McCartney grew up in Irvington, New York and is the eldest of three children. His parents - trained actors and singers - would put on a musical stage production in the local community theater each year that included the entire family. That experience led McCartney to pursue a career in entertainment. At only 9 years of age, he was cast as Louis, son of Hayley Mills' Anna, in the Broadway production and the national touring company of The King and I. Two years later, McCartney landed the role of the young Scrooge opposite Roger Daltrey in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. McCartney's big break came when he was cast in the long-running daytime drama All My Children as Adam Chandler, Jr. He was nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards in both 2001 and 2002 for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Television Series, as well as for a Soap Opera Digest Award. He won the Young Artist Award for his role in the series in 2001 and 2002. Additional television appearances include a guest-starring role in Law & Order and performances with Sugar Beats and Dream Street on Good Morning America, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and Maury, McCartney has also been featured in many commercials both as an on-screen and voiceover actor. For over three years, McCartney was a member of the hugely popular teen band Dream Street. Their debut album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Independent Album Charts and soared to platinum sales. Dream Street's songs have been featured on the soundtracks for Pokemon 2000 and The Little Vampire. Prior to Dream Street, McCartney was the lead singer in Sugar Beats, with whom he recorded four albums. McCartney currently lives with his family in New York but will relocate to Los Angeles for the filming of the series. In his free time, he enjoys skiing (on both snow and water) and playing baseball for his high school team. He recently took up surfing for his role in Summerland and has been taking courses in photography. McCartney is planning on going to college and hopes to attend the University of California, Los Angeles, or New York University.

KAY PANABAKER

as "Nikki Westerly"

Thirteen-year-old Kay Panabaker is already a veteran of stage, television and film as well as a high school graduate. She makes her television series-starring debut as Nikki, the middle child and the voice of reason in The WB's new drama Summerland. Born near Houston, Texas and raised in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago, Panabaker got her start in community theater in Atlanta when she was 8 years old, then made her professional debut in a Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of The Herbal Bed at the age of 9. She won a lead in the film American Girls: Kit's World while in Chicago, and followed that with a one-week trip to Los Angeles to test the waters. During her week there, Kay landed the child lead in the film Dead Heat, starring Kiefer Sutherland and Anthony LaPaglia, and there was no turning back. Thirteen-year-old Kay Panabaker is already a veteran of stage, television and film as well as a high school graduate. She makes her television series-starring debut as Nikki, the middle child and the voice of reason in The WB's new drama Summerland. Born near Houston, Texas and raised in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago, Panabaker got her start in community theater in Atlanta when she was 8 years old, then made her professional debut in a Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of The Herbal Bed at the age of 9. She won a lead in the film American Girls: Kit's World while in Chicago, and followed that with a one-week trip to Los Angeles to test the waters. During her week there, Kay landed the child lead in the film Dead Heat, starring Kiefer Sutherland and Anthony LaPaglia, and there was no turning back.

NICK BENSON

as "Derrick Westerly"

Born in Springfield, Missouri, Benson began his acting career in Gainesville, Florida at the age of seven, and landed leading parts in a number of commercials. He soon traveled to Los Angeles to guest star in an episode of King of Queens. This past summer, Benson was the youngest performer at the LA Improv's Standup Comedy Kids show, where he gave a hilarious commentary on what it is like to live with two teenage brothers. On the big screen, Benson recently completed a supporting role in Jerry Bruckheimer's upcoming adventure film National Treasure starring Nicolas Cage. Benson was also featured in the documentary Walk His Way. When he is not working, Benson enjoys playing games, drawing, swimming, bowling and playing on the computer. An excellent student, he is always looking to challenge himself. Benson lives in Los Angeles with his parents and two older brothers, both of whom are actors.

TAYLOR COLE

as "Erika Spalding"

Born and raised in Arlington, Texas, Cole has had a full high school experience. She played on her high school's volleyball team and traveled the country with the Junior Olympics squad. Her stunning good looks also allowed her to travel the world as a professional model, taking her to Italy, France, Germany and Australia among many other countries. Cole had recently relocated to New York to pursue her career in modeling when the opportunity to guest-star in the Summerland pilot arose. She was visiting her mom and step-dad in Los Angeles when she landed an audition with the Summerland producers. She won them over, and the recurring part became a regular role. Cole can soon be seen in two national commercials, one for Crest toothpaste and another for Old Spice deodorant. She also recently shot a print campaign for Dooney & Bourke handbags. An avid sports enthusiast, Cole continues to play volleyball, likes karate and is learning to surf for Summerland. She recently relocated to Los Angeles for the filming of the series.