The Big C is an American comedy-drama television series created by Darlene Hunt which follows Cathy Jamison, a reserved suburban wife and mother whose recent melanoma diagnosis forces her to shake up her life and find hope, humour and the light side of a dark situation, whilst managing her immature but well-meaning husband.
The Big C is about Cathy Jamison (Laura Linney), a woman who has always played by the rules. That is, until she finds out she's got cancer. But instead of giving up – Cathy decides to live it up.
Cathy has always been conservative and structured – the perfect suburban wife and mother. Receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis becomes not only a challenge, but a catalyst for change.
Cathy is tired of being "the sensible one" — now she wants to let her freak flag fly. For the first time in her life, she is going to make choices that suit her needs.
She is going to say and do exactly what she wants from here on out. No more submitting to her son's pranks, no more indulging her husband's childish ways, and no more letting her students walk all over her.
It's Cathy's turn to live, and she's skipping the main course and going straight to the liquor and dessert.
But as the truth about her illness becomes known, she begins to realize just how much her choices mean, and how much they affect those around her.
The Big C was created and written by Darlene Hunt, who serves as executive producer, along with writer/showrunner Jenny Bicks, Laura Linney, Neal H. Moritz and Vivian Cannon. It was produced by Sony Pictures Television.