'Switched at Birth' season 5 air date, plot spoilers: January premiere date confirmed; 1st official promo released

Freeform's family drama "Switched at Birth" officially returns for its fifth and final season early next year. Although the series was rumored to air later in 2016, it seems that the wait for all-new episodes will be quite longer for fans.

Freeform recently released the first official promo trailer for the upcoming season, featuring new beginnings for the characters. After the mysterious call they received last season, Bay and Daphne are now back home, temporarily leaving their independent lives overseas to deal with certain issues in the family. They will eventually realize how much everything has changed since they left home. Additionally, the sisters will contemplate on whether or not they made the right decision to return.

Cartermatt speculates that tests might be one of the main themes in future episodes. Since all kinds of relationships go through different challenges, the end may feature how the characters continued to grow and learn from their past mistakes. The publication points out that the series has never been about perfection and not everyone makes right decisions. Instead, the plot will highlight how everyone bounces back from the trials they constantly face.

Back in April, series creator Lizzy Weiss released a bittersweet press statement as they wrapped up production. "The episodes will air in 2017 and you will see our final 10 stories and how we send off these characters," she said. "As for the people who made it all happen, I couldn't have scripted a more perfect ending than last night. it was just a little piece of magic."

Newcomers for the upcoming installment include actress Valery Ortiz as a tattoo artist named Noelle and Michael Galante as Luca, a student of University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Tune in to the premiere of "Switched at Birth" season 5 on Tuesday, Jan. 24 on Freeform.