Showtime Orders 13 Episodes of Laura Linney’s Cancer Comedy

It’s common knowledge that there is nothing funnier than cancer…wait, what?

ShowTime announced this week that the premium cable channel has ordered 13 episodes of The Big C starring Emmy-winner Laura Linney. Billed as a dark comedy, the show features Linney as a suburban wife whose world is rocked by a diagnosis of cancer.

Oliver Platt co-stars as the “immature but well-meaning husband” to Linney’s character.

“Laura Linney is the consummate actor and producer, and we’re thrilled she has chosen to come to ShowTime in this extraordinary series,” said ShowTime President of Entertainment Robert Greenblatt. “The character and her journey are complex, requiring layered nuances of comedy and drama which I believe no one else could do better than Laura. And she’s surrounded by a gifted ensemble of actors who will bring this show vividly to life.”