The countdown begins for the fifth and final season of "Switched at Birth" on Freeform.

In early August, series creator Lizzy Weiss revealed that season 5 of the family drama will premiere on Jan. 24, 2017. This means that the loose ends of the series will be finally tied in the next 10 episodes beginning next year.

It can be recalled that the fourth season finale of the series showed that Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano) and Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc) received an urgent call when the two were trying to start a new life in China. This could mean that someone at home might be in trouble, and the two of them were needed to fly back in order to sort out the issue.

Meanwhile, Movie News Guide revealed that the upcoming season of "Switch at Birth" will introduce several characters, including a University of Missouri-Kansas City student named Luca, who will be portrayed by Michael Galante. According to the report, Luca will become close to Regina (Constance Marie) in the upcoming season.

The report also mentioned that Bay will be introduced to a tattoo artist named Noelle, who will be portrayed by Valery Ortiz. Based on the report, Bay will grow an admiration for Noelle's talent as a tattoo artist.

Season 5 will also see the return of Max Adler's character Tank, Bay's ex-boyfriend and Toby's (Lucas Grabeel) former roommate.

Gilles Marini is also revealed to be returning for the final season of "Switched at Birth" to reprise his role as Bay's biological father and Daphne's legal father Angelo Sorrento. Since the character was believed to have died in season 3, it would be interesting to see how he will appear in the upcoming season.