The Big C is an American comedy-drama television program by Darlene Hunt. It began on August 16, 2010 and is shown on Showtime. It ended on May 20, 2013. The show is set in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It stars Laura Linney as Cathy Jamison, a suburban teacher who is diagnosed with melanoma. Her husband Paul Jamison is played by Oliver Platt. Their teenage son Adam Jamison is played by Gabriel Basso. Her brother Sean Tolke, who is bipolar, is played by John Benjamin Hickey.