List of Step By Step Characters - Premise

Premise

Set in a substantially fictionalized version of the Milwaukee exurb of Port Washington, Wisconsin, Frank Lambert, a divorced contractor with three children, sons J.T. and Brendan and daughter Al, impulsively marries Carol Foster, a widowed beautician who also has three children, daughters Dana and Karen and son Mark. Both were residents of Port Washington, but met while vacationing separately in Jamaica. Their children are surprised and angered when they learn of the marriage. Stories depicted typical situations of a new blended family, their differences causing arguments and resentments between them, but the family eventually growing to tolerate and develop loyalty to one another.

The show lasted for seven seasons, and the main cast changed as the storyline progressed. Frank's nephew Cody was introduced in the second season and lived in his van in the family's driveway, then left the series in 1996.

In the 1994–1995 season finale, Carol gave birth to daughter Lilly. Like many other sitcom babies, Lilly was suddenly aged five years when she appeared in the next season. In 1997, J.T.'s friend Rich moved in with the family after becoming Dana's boyfriend.

Brendan Lambert appeared less and less as the show progressed, especially after Lilly's birth. When the show moved from ABC to CBS, his character disappeared; the series' producers later admitted in a TV Guide interview that despite his absence, the Lamberts would still refer to their "seven children", making Brendan an unseen character for the final season.