'Switched at Birth' gets 22 episode order; Katie Leclerc and Vanessa Marano celebrate

ABC Family's "Switched at Birth" has become one of our unexpected summer favorites -- and, it seems, one of yours, too. The show's premise, two teenage girls from different sides of the tracks discovering they were switched at birth, seems soapy at first read, but the emotions are genuine and the refreshing glimpse into deaf culture gives a new twist on the family drama.

Luckily, we'll get to see more of the Vasquez and Kennish families in 2012, as ABC Family announced on Monday that it has picked up 22 additional episodes of the series. After the summer finale airs on Monday, August 8, the show will return in early 2012, bringing the first season episode count to 32.

"Viewers have fallen in love with this show, just as we did when we first saw it," ABC Family president Michael Riley says. "We set out this year to bring viewers more original content than ever before, all with the trademarks of our bright, authentic, quality storytelling. We're so thrilled to see this series become a break-out hit this summer and become a key component of our programming lineup into next year."

Stars Katie LeClerc and Vanessa Marano stopped by MTV to celebrate the announcement. "Loud. It was a loud reaction," Vanessa says.

"And screaming, and jumping up and down and smiles," adds LeClerc. Watch them discuss their hopes for the second part of the season in the video below.