Linney (Time Stands Still, Sight Unseen, The Crucible, “John Adams,” “The Savages”) plays a suburban housewife and teacher who is coping with terminal cancer. Bill Condon (“Dreamgirls,” “Chicago”) directs the pilot episode, which also features stage and screen vet Oliver Platt (Guys and Dolls, Shining City, “Huff”) as Linney’s husband and Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe (“Precious”) as a student in Linney’s class.
Cynthia Nixon and Liam Neeson are among the guest stars set for future episodes of the series.
“The Big C” officially premieres Aug. 16 at 10:30 PM ET on Showtime. To catch the pilot beforehand, look below:
— Thomas Peter