Scripted series · Showtime
The Big C
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
Laura Linney
Cathy Jamison
40 eps
John Benjamin Hickey
Sean Tolkey
40 eps
Oliver Platt
Paul Jamison
40 eps
Phyllis Somerville
Marlene
15 eps
Gabourey Sidibe
Andrea Jackson
14 eps
Gabriel Basso
Adam Jamison
40 eps
Phill Lewis
Cool pool boss
13 eps
Emily Kinney
Emily
3 eps
Michael Chernus
Pastor Rick
4 eps
Judy Gold
Rabbi
1 eps
Rebecca Watson
Blonde Woman (uncredited)
1 eps
Liz Holtan
Amber
2 eps
E.J. Bonilla
Scott
1 eps
Angela Lewis
Day Nurse
1 eps
Cynthia Nixon
Rebecca
1 eps
Reid Scott
Todd Mauer
1 eps
Ned Eisenberg
Dr. Volimer
1 eps
Ann Harada
Brenda
1 eps
Jessica Cummings
Second Receptionist
1 eps
John Hillner
Doctor
1 eps
Anne Senelly Kyle
Cancer Patient (uncredited)
1 eps
Jeremy McLain
Pedestrian (uncredited)
1 eps
Brian Dennehy
Dad
1 eps
Isaac Mizrahi
Self
1 eps
Kathy Najimy
Cathy's Therapist
1 eps
Connie Ray
Connie Schuler
1 eps
Darlene Hunt
Hospice Administrator
1 eps
Michael Ray Escamilla
Angel
1 eps
Bianca Amato
Susan Rand
1 eps
Marceline Hugot
Ina
1 eps
David Aaron Baker
Priest
1 eps
David Wilson Barnes
Wesley
1 eps
Marin Mazzie
Janelle Milson
1 eps
Jen Sese
Florist
1 eps
Rosemary Howard
Hospice Visitor (uncredited)
1 eps
Marisa R. Silver
Fashion Show Guest (uncredited)
1 eps
Brian d'Arcy James
Tim
3 eps
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How The Big C actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
The Big C reads strongest on Character Depth, Humour and Emotional Weight.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
The story
What it's about
A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well.
The run
Seasons
4 seasons · 40 episodes.
Season 1 · Complete
Season 1
201013 episodes
8.1IMDbBest episode · S01E13 Taking the Plunge
Season 2 · Complete
Season 2
201113 episodes
8.1IMDbBest episode · S02E13 Crossing the Line
Season 3 · Complete
Season 3
201210 episodes
7.1IMDbBest episode · S03E01 Thin Ice
Season 4 · Complete
Season 4
20134 episodes
9.0IMDbBest episode · S04E04 The Finale
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.
S04E04
The Finale
Adam surprises everyone when he fulfils one of Cathy's wishes. Cathy's estranged Dad visits her. Andrea gets the opportunity of a lifetime. Sean has mixed feelings about his impending kidney surgery.
- Directed by Michael Engler
- Written by Darlene Hunt, Jenny Bicks
S01E13
Taking the Plunge
Rebecca reveals a secret to Sean that reconnects them. Dr. Todd tells Paul and Cathy that the bee therapy did not work. Cathy reconsiders her options. Adam finally shows his softer side in an unexpected way.
- Directed by Michael Engler
- Written by Darlene Hunt
S04E03
Quality of Death
Dr. Sherman pays a visit to Cathy, who has checked herself into a hospice and is experiencing problems with her new roommate. Adam confronts Paul about his lack of parental guidance. Andrea seeks inspiration from Cathy.
- Directed by Richard Heus
- Written by Jenny Bicks
S01E11
New Beginnings
Paul seeks support from people at his work place, but gets more than he bargained for. Sean pulls away from Rebecca when it appears she's getting too serious. Cathy, Marlene and Rebecca have a girl's lunch at a strip joint -- which unexpectedly influences Cathy's thoughts about her cancer. Adam meets a girl, Mia, at the bus stop.
- Directed by Michael Lehmann
- Written by Cara DiPaolo
S02E13
Crossing the Line
Cathy is inspired by Lee's passing to ring in the New Year in an unexpected way; burdened by financial issues, Paul tries a new tactic with the insurance agency; Adam makes a surprising connection with Dr. Todd.
- Directed by Michael Engler, Craig Zisk
- Written by Darlene Hunt
S01E03
There's No C in Team
When Cathy's attempt to connect to the people closest to her fails, she signs up for a well-meaning but overbearing cancer support group. Adam rebuffs Cathy's attempts to connect with him, so she decides to put together a dinner party with Andrea, Sean and Daphne. Meanwhile, Paul tries to win back his wife's love with an elaborately romantic gesture. Marlene discovers Cathy's cancer secret in a most unusual way.
- Directed by Michael Engler
- Written by Jenny Bicks
Recently aired
Latest Episodes
S04E04
The Finale
- Directed by Michael Engler
- Written by Darlene Hunt, Jenny Bicks
S04E02
You Can't Take It with You
- Directed by Jann Turner
- Written by Cara DiPaolo, Melanie Marnich
S04E01
Quality of Life
- Directed by Michael Engler
- Written by Darlene Hunt
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
Darlene Hunt
Showrunner
Neal H. Moritz
Executive producer
Michael Engler
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Vivian Cannon
Executive producer
Laura Linney
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Mark Kunerth
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Cara DiPaolo
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Hilly Hicks Jr.
Writer
Melanie Marnich
Writer
Jenny Bicks
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Cusi Cram
Writer
Toni Kalem
Writer
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Neal H. MoritzExecutive Producer
- Darlene HuntExecutive Producer
- Michael EnglerExecutive Producer
- Vivian CannonExecutive Producer
- Laura LinneyExecutive Producer
- Jenny BicksProducer
Writing
- Mark KunerthWriter
- Cara DiPaoloWriter
- Darlene HuntWriter
- Hilly Hicks Jr.Writer
- Melanie MarnichWriter
- Jenny BicksWriter
Direction
- Adam BernsteinDirector
- Michael EnglerDirector
- Bill CondonDirector
- Ryan FleckDirector
- Richard HeusDirector
- Miguel ArtetaDirector
Cinematography
- John ThomasDirector of Photography
- Tobias A. SchliesslerDirector of Photography
- Michael CaraccioloDirector of Photography
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- NetflixStreaming
- Amazon VideoBuy
- Apple TV StoreBuy
- Google Play MoviesBuy
- Fandango At HomeBuy
- Netflix Standard with AdsStreaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon ChannelStreaming
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