HBO Drama Series 'Big Love' Kicks Off Fifth and Final Season 1/16

The critically acclaimed drama series BIG LOVE kicks off its ten-episode fifth season with the episode entitled "Winter," debuting SUNDAY, JAN. 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, followed by other new episodes on subsequent Sundays at the same time.

Returning for its final season, BIG LOVE tells the story of Salt Lake City businessman Bill Henrickson, who balances the needs of his three wives - Barb, Nicki and Margene - their nine kids and three houses, and his own entrepreneurial and political ambitions. Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin star in the series, which is executive produced by Playtone's Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, David Knoller, Bernadette Caulfield and series creators and show runners Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer.

Other cast regulars on the fifth season of BIG LOVE include Douglas Smith, Grace Zabriskie, Mary Kay Place, Matt Ross and Cassi Thomson. Also returning are Joel McKinnon Miller, Bruce Dern, Anne Dudek, Cody Klop, Tina Majorino, Daveigh Chase, Branka Katic, Steve Bacic, Judith Hoag and Ellen Burstyn. New guest stars this season include Robert Patrick, Judith Ivey and Grant Show.

January's episodes:

Episode #44: "Winter"

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 16 (10:05 p.m.), 18 (11:00 p.m.), 19 (10:00 p.m.), 20 (8:30 p.m.) and 21 (3:10 a.m.), and Feb. 2 (8:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Jan. 17 (10:00 p.m.), 18 (7:00 p.m.), 22 (1:00 p.m., 11:15 p.m.) and 23 (8:00 p.m.)

After restful post-election days in the wilderness, reality hits the Henricksons on their return to Salt Lake City. At Home Plus, Bill's (Bill Paxton) attempts to bolster morale in the wake of his polygamist revelation fall on mostly deaf ears, and he faces an uphill battle for his political life even before the swearing-in. At home, he tries to assuage the concerns of his wives and kids, who face psychological - and physical - threats around town. To stem this growing tide of ill will, Bill decides to hold an open house for his 40,000 constituents, some of whom may actually show up. Alby (Matt Ross) returns from his desert exile with a newfound desire to "purify" the compound, and exact vengeance on Bill.

Written by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; directed by David Petrarca.

Episode #45: "A Seat at the Table"

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 23 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 23 (10:00 p.m.), 25 (11:00 p.m.), 26 (10:00 p.m.), 27 (8:00 p.m.) and 28 (2:55 a.m.), and Feb. 2 (9:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Jan. 24 (10:00 p.m.), 25 (7:00 p.m.), 29 (1:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.) and 30 (8:00 p.m.)

Bill's attempt to stage a "safety net" meeting for polygamist leaders is hindered by Alby and Home Plus objectors. In an effort to find common ground with her mother, Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) asks Nancy (Ellen Burstyn) to join her at a symposium focusing on mother-daughter Mormon challenges. Nicki (Chloe Sevigny) learns the extent of Adaleen's (Mary Kay Place) isolation; Marge (Ginnifer Goodwin) despairs over the quandary involving Ana (Branka Katic) and Goran (Steve Bacic); and Cara Lynn (Cassi Thomson) impresses her math teacher, and Greg (Cody Klop).

Written by Julia Cho; directed by Adam Davidson.

Episode #46: "Certain Poor Shepherds"

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 30 (10:00 p.m.) and Feb. 1 (11:00 p.m.), 2 (10:00 p.m.), 3 (8:00 p.m.) and 4 (3:05 a.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Jan. 31 (10:00 p.m.)

The Henricksons try to put on a unified face during Christmas, but are tested amidst numbing revelations from Barb, Marge and Adaleen. Meanwhile, Lura (Anne Dudek) takes drastic measures in response to Alby's zealous efforts to "purify" the compound; Lois (Grace Zabriskie) drifts towards the deep end; Bill tries to soften up a senator; Ben (Douglas Smith) bonds with Heather (Tina Majorino); and Cara Lynn looks for answers about her father.

Written by Jami O'Brien; directed by David Petrarca.

Emmy and Golden Globe- nominated in the category of best drama series, BIG LOVE continued to inspire critical acclaim for its fourth season, which concluded in March 2010. The Wall Street Journal hailed the series' "spectacular performances," while the Salt Lake Tribune called the show "one of the finest hours of drama on any network," and Entertainment Weekly termed it "bracing," praising "the mighty performance of Bill Paxton."

BIG LOVE is produced by HBO Entertainment in association with Playtone and Anima Sola Productions; created by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; executive producers, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, David Knoller, Bernadette Caulfield and Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; supervising producer, Patricia Breen; producers, Seth Greenland and Peter Friedlander; co-producers, Dauri Chase, Don Bensko, Melanie Marnich and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa; executive story editor, Julia Cho; story editor, Jami O'Brien; staff writer, Aaron Allen; casting, Junie Lowry Johnson, C.S.A., Libby Goldstein and Lisa Soltau.