Trisha's Way

Trisha's Way is an animated television series created by Phelan Morkel and Monica J. Burroughs, and produced by Jazz Television Media,, Latikuu Edacra Entertainment North America, Berker Entertainment Group, , and. The series ran from September 5, 2003 until October 15, 2008 on member stations in the, running for 78 episodes over six seasons. The series focuses on a junior high school (later high school) girl named Trisha de Stefani, who goes on adventures in with her friends.

Throughout it's run, the series addressed numerous topical social issues that most other children's shows avoided; such as bullying, anxiety, intolerance, peer pressure, depression, physical and intellectual disabilities, hoarding, divorce, familial conflicts, post-traumatic stress disorder, violence, incarceration, political extremism, cancer, and death. The show's curriculum, developed by Dr. Grace Fitzwilliam PhD with input from Samuel G. Jenson, emphasized an "everyone has a point" narrative, with writers consulting with a panel of "educators, psychologists, social scientists, humanities scholars, theologians and other experts" chaired by Fitzwilliam, and promotional material encouraged families to watch the show together and hold discussions on the morals taught.

The series received critical acclaim, especially for how it broke many boundaries in children's television. It was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children's Animated Program, and received three nominations for the Sylvania Television Award for Best Children's Animated Program, winning one, and was recommended for viewing by the and the. A spin-off, Dan & Marilyn, airs on, and a sequel series, Francesca's Way, airs on PBS.

Synopsis
Trisha de Stefani lives in with her family and friends. She and her friends attend Dorchester Heights Junior High School, and later become students at Dorchester Center High School. She is clever and optimistic and always willing to help out others, often using a system she calls "Trisha's Way". The series follows her and her friends' adventures around town.

Main

 * Trisha de Stefani (voiced by Heather Marcel) - The main character of the series. By the time of the sequel series Francesca's Way, she is now working as a librarian. She is of Italian and French descent.
 * Matty Johnson (voiced by Matthew Bulyea) - Trisha's best friend since childhood.
 * Gabriela Jekyll (voiced by ) - One of Trisha's friends.
 * Lacey Saunier (voiced by ) - Another one of Trisha's best friends.
 * Venus Michaels (voiced by Kimberly Lynn) - Lacey's best friend and another of Trisha's best friends.
 * Kevin Daniels (voiced by Samuel Bulman) - A friend of Matty who aspires to be a blues musician.
 * Brenda Hampton (voiced by Adrienne Parker) - An African-American friend of Trisha who has known her and Matty since they were in daycare.
 * Antonio "Toni" Diaz (voiced by Armando Vallejo) - A Hispanic friend of Trisha. He aspires to be a fencer. By the time of the sequel series Francesca's Way, he has become an Olympic fencer.
 * Jessica Hailey (voiced by Alexa Sewell) - A friend of Trisha. She later appears in the spin-off Dan & Marilyn.
 * Kevin de Stefani (voiced by Trevor Goodgame in seasons 1-2, Bu Myung-Soo in season 3, and Andy Jussila in seasons 4-6) - Trisha's little brother who sometimes accompanies Trisha and her friends on their adventures.

Recurring

 * Lauren de Stefani (voiced by Maria del Izetes) - Trisha's mother.
 * Scott de Stefani (voiced by Christophe Meteiller) - Trisha's father.
 * Francesca de Stefani (voiced by Jessica and Valerie Rommedahl in season 5 and Monique Bogaert in season 6) - Trisha's youngest sister, who was born in the season four finale. She is later the subject of the spin-off Francesca's Way, now voiced by Jenny Lindahl.
 * Todd Hailey (voiced by Joseph Worboys Jr. in seasons 1-3, Kyle O'Dell in seasons 4-5 and Howie Bogaert in season 6) - Jessica's little brother. He later appears in the spin-off Dan & Marilyn, now voiced by Craig Campobello.
 * Dan Henriksen (voiced by Thomas Blazer in seasons 1-4 and Aidan Drummond in seasons 5-6) - Todd's best friend. He is later the subject of the spin-off Dan & Marilyn, now voiced by Kenny Hulings.
 * Marilyn Baxter (voiced by Sandra Regensteiner) - A girl who is friends with Dan. She later is the co-subject of the spin-off Dan & Marilyn, now voiced by Amanda Stansby.
 * Jake Henry (voiced by Anthony Rommedahl) - A hyperactive, quirky friend of Dan. He moves to in the season 4 episode "Au Revoir, Jake!", and makes guest appearances in seasons 5 and 6. He later appears in the spin-off Dan & Marilyn, where is now depicted as a mild-mannered, "chill" musician.
 * Paul Henriksen (voiced by G. Fredrick Lyon) - Dan's father. He later appears in Dan & Marilyn.
 * Frank Baxter (voiced by Brett McKnight) - Marilyn's father. He later appears in Dan & Marilyn, now voiced by.