VIDEO PHOTOS Meet the cast of MTV’s Washington Heights

While one new show via MTV from West Virginia featuring 9 youth has drawn the ire of a Senator ( Buckwild ), another show coming to the same network focusing on a separate group of 9 young Americans is flying under the radar. The show is called Washington Heights and here’s how it’s described via the official press release:

“Washington Heights” follows nine best friends from the vibrant and diverse New York neighborhood of Washington Heights. Together, this compelling group of friends attempts to navigate the obstacles that stand in the way of their individual pursuits, which include fashion, music, baseball and poetry.

Although they’re not all blood related, they still consider each other family, as every setback, celebration and next step on the road to success brings them closer together. The 11 episode, hour-long series premieres with two back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, January 9 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

According to Wiki the physical layout of Washington Heights goes like this:

“Washington Heights borders Harlem to the South, along 155th street, Inwood to the North along Dyckman Street, the Hudson River to the West and Harlem River to the East.”

Here’s the official trailer from MTV:

Man, can MTV get a 2 minute trailer put together of one of these ensemble casts that doesn’t include a beat down? Anywho, here is a photo and brief introduction for the cast of Washington Heights:

Frankie Reese

Frankie might be little, but she’s got a big personality with boy-crazy tendencies and always has a snappy one liner at the ready. She acts tough, but also expresses her sensitivity and struggles through the spoken word poetry she writes and performs. Frankie hopes to become an English professor, but gets constantly derailed by her feelings for Ludwin.

J.P. Perez “Audubon”

J.P. Perez , a.k.a. Audubon, represents the Heights through and through. He is the undisputed peacekeeper, motivator, and glue behind this tight-knit group of friends. When he’s not putting out fires and making sure his friends stay on track while pursuing their respective dreams, he’s chasing his own goal of making it big in hip-hop. In the meantime, there are bills to be paid and little money coming in. JP still lives at home with his mom and fears he’ll have to give up his dreams to help her cover the rent.

Reyna Saldana

Reyna is known as a fiery diva who doesn’t shy away from trouble. While she may be confrontational, this budding singer is the first one to laugh at a joke and have a friend’s back. However, if you mess with her friends, you mess with her.

Ludwin Federo

Ludwin, who is known for rocking a style all his own, dreams of a career as an artist. He and Frankie share a mutual attraction, but with everything going on in his life, can he step up and be everything she is looking for?

Jimmy Caceres

Jimmy dreams of a professional career in baseball, but the odds are against him. His father is finishing a seven-year stint in prison, and with his mother out of the picture as well, Jimmy has been on his own since he was 16. To make matters even more complicated, his girlfriend, Eliza, is an outsider in the group, causing conflict with the friends he’s had his whole life.

Rico Rasuk

Rico lives at home with his mother and younger brother, Fred. He is best friends with JP and a big supporter of his music. Rico’s dreams change day by day; one minute, he’s a model … the next, an actor. However, his days of having his head in the clouds are numbered. He’s the oldest sibling and his family needs him to step up his game, become a man, and contribute.

Fred Rasuk

Fred is in direct opposition to his seemingly unfocused, less ambitious older brother, Rico. Fred is always on his hustle and is doing all he can to make it in the fashion industry.

Taylor Howell

Taylor might look like a preppy cheerleader, but she’s Heights to the core. Despite her all-American good looks, Taylor’s known for having an off-beat sense of style and a different perspective on what goes on with her crew of friends.

Eliza Jefferson

Eliza is constantly on the outside, looking in at the group of friends from Washington Heights. Hailing from a much different life in New Jersey, she is slowly making her way in the fashion world and wants nothing but the best for her boyfriend, Jimmy. Her vision for their future is complicated when issues with Reyna erupt, causing a major rift. It’s clear Jimmy will have to make a decision between the girl who has his best interests at heart and the friends he’s always had.

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