The show that helped start the reality craze so many years ago continues full steam ahead with tonight’s all new premiere of THE REAL WORLD: DC.  8 strangers, picked to live in a house – check out clips and follow the jump for information about the house guests!

As record numbers of young people look to Washington D.C. for change,  MTV brings together eight strangers in the nation’s capital as the network premieres “The Real World: D.C.” on Wednesday, December 30 at 10PM ET/PT. Fourteen episodes are set to air. Mistakes will be made, lines will be crossed and volatile relationships will bring surprising results as this season’s cast is driven by their passions to make a change both personally and professionally. Whether it is interracial dating, gay marriage, religion, or tackling the roles of young men and women, true struggles lie within as these young adults question and define what they really want for themselves and for the country.

Viewers will see a very different side of D.C. — a city where decisions are made every day to shape our country and the world. But do our eight roommates make the right decisions in their own lives? Callie, a small town girl, realizes her dream of becoming a professional photographer, while Andrew, the class clown of the house, gets serious when it comes to finding love.  A dysfunctional romance between Emily and Ty threatens to divide the house and Mike learns that coming out is not only a personal choice — but a political one as well.

“With young people so engaged in the country’s future, it was the perfect time to take ‘The Real World’ to our nation’s capitol,” says Jonathan Murray, the creator and Executive Producer of “The Real World.”

Viewers can find exclusive cast photos, video profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with your favorite roommates at “The Real World: D.C.”.  Sneak peeks of upcoming and previously aired episodes will be available to view online as well.  Beginning December 21, fans will have access to exclusive, uncensored and unedited clips on The Real World Dailies.

Meet the new “D.C.” cast:

MIKE Age: 22 – Thornton, CO

In high school, Mike was the typical jock — a star athlete, prom king, popular with all the girls, and an all around golden child from a Christian family.  But that’s where the stereotype ends.  Mike realized several years ago that for him, love knows no gender.  He dates guys and girls, and is still questioning his sexuality.  Mike comes to D.C. to be an environmentalist, but unexpectedly finds the inspiration to help advance marriage rights for gay and lesbian Americans. His sexuality has caused some tension back home, and it’s his time in D.C. that will prove to be the turning point for him and his family in terms of accepting him for who he is.

TY Age: 22 – Baltimore, MD

Ty is not one to let the worst get the best of him.  Abandoned by his biological parents, Ty was shuffled around foster homes before being adopted at age five; and he grew up in a part of Baltimore he compares to “The Wire.”  Despite growing up in the church, he is anti-religion and thinks believing in God is a crutch.  He relies only on himself.  A recent graduate of Trinity College (where he played football and majored in economics), he’s looking for the next thing that life has in store.  Will he find it in D.C.?  Ty is handsome, smart, athletic and opinionated, and he’s not afraid to share his opinion.   On one hand, he’s a smooth, funny charmer who always seems to know just the right thing to say, on the other hand, his quick temper can get him into trouble.   Ty is fresh out of a three-year relationship and ready to take on D.C.

CALLIE Age: 21 – Huntsville, TX

Callie may be a small town girl, but she doesn’t plan to stay that way. This Texas native spent her childhood years falling on hard times and at one point living in a warehouse, then a junkyard — an experience that for years made her the butt of her classmates’ jokes. A free-spirit vegan, Callie has always felt a little out of place in her conservative Texas town, and she’s just chomping at the bit to break free and chase her dreams of becoming a photographer. In D.C., she hopes to find the kinds of outlets for her creativity that don’t exist in small-town Texas and make some new friends along the way. But after so many years in the backwater, will the buzz of the capital be too much for her?

JOSH Age: 23 – Philadelphia, PA

Josh has Philly pride, but that doesn’t mean this twenty-three-year-old wants to serve up Philly cheese steaks for the rest of his life. This Puerto Rican/Italian glam rocker/rapper has dreams of making it big in the entertainment industry with his punk-funkadelic sound. Always one to look his sharpest, Josh is the quintessential ladies’ man. He says girls are his “kryptonite,” which could prove problematic as he tries to stay faithful to his girlfriend back home. After all, D.C.’s nightlife will offer more than a few temptations. Will D.C. be the place where Josh can realize his dreams? And when it’s all over, will he still have a girlfriend to share them with?

ERIKA Age: 21 – Chicago, IL

Erika is the melodramatic singer, and if there’s one thing this Windy City rocker wants to make clear about herself, it’s that she doesn’t sing backup. Whether playing a gig or just chilling in the house, Erika likes to take center stage. Growing up, she battled loneliness and depression, and while she’s come a long way toward pulling herself out of it, her need for affection is still apparent when it comes to her relationship with her boyfriend Ian. If there’s one roommate who’ll be phoning home all season, it’ll be Erika.

EMILY Age: 21 – Columbia, MO

A Midwestern girl who, until now, had never been East of Illinois, twenty-one year old Emily was raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult. Since breaking out from the cult, her daredevil nature has led her to throw herself into new things and broaden her horizons in every facet of her life. An athletic tomboy, Emily used sports as a way to ease her entry into a more secular existence. Since then, she has grown progressively more open-minded and experimental even when it comes to dating and she shares Ty’s skeptical view of religion. For her, D.C. will be another new adventure, another step in her growth outside the cult.

ASHLEY Age: 22 – Fort Bragg, CA

Ashley is a Portuguese beauty, with a hot temper and a blunt demeanor. She’s passionate and compassionate…and very opinionated, especially when it comes to heated topics like politics and religion. Ashley might be the most politically aware of the eight roommates. She was an Obama delegate from Vegas, and she will debate anyone, anytime about anything. And she’ll be happy to tell you why she’s right. She reads voraciously and knows her stuff, but will she turn that passion into opportunity in D.C.? Ashley is a self proclaimed “walking oxymoron” – the smart one who didn’t go to college, the tomboy who wears dresses, the liberal Christian, the bitchy caregiver. Newly single, Ashley has her sights set on the guys of D.C.

ANDREW Age: 21 – Denver, CO

The annoying little brother that you love to hate, but secretly love, describes twenty-one year old Andrew. He is an individual, to say the least; this fun-loving, free spirit from the suburbs of Denver will say anything to get a rise out of people. Often spotted around town wearing a panda hat, Andrew is a local legend for his witty, often offensive, politically incorrect comics. He doesn’t like being held down by rules, and as a result, has been fired from every job he’s ever had. Despite the lack of filter between his brain and his mouth, don’t be fooled-he’s as sharp as they come. After being cheated on and dumped by his last serious girlfriend, Andrew heads to D.C. a single man, looking to get with any girl who will say yes. But watch out ladies, one night with Andrew, and you may be the target of his next comic.

“The Real World” was created for MTV by Jon Murray and Mary-Ellis Bunim of Bunim-Murray Productions.  Jon Murray and Jim Johnston serve as Executive Producers of “The Real World: D.C.” Jacquelyn French is the MTV executive overseeing the project.