Big Love (2006)
An HBO drama series exploring the secret polygamist life of a suburban Utah family navigating faith, loyalty, and survival across five compelling seasons.
Big Love - Series Information
- Original Title: Big Love
- First Air Year: 2006
- Last Air Year: 2011
- Created by: Will Scheffer, Mark V. Olsen
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 55 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 53
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: March 12, 2006 (United States - TV-MA), March 12, 2006 (Canada - 18+), March 12, 2006 (United Kingdom - 15), March 12, 2006 (Germany - 12), March 12, 2006 (France - 18), March 12, 2006 (Australia - MA 15+), March 12, 2006 (Brazil - 16), March 12, 2006 (Mexico - A), March 12, 2006 (Spain - 13), March 12, 2006 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: HBO
- Alternative Titles: 真爱一箩筐 (CN), ビッグ・ラブ (JP), Big Love (US)
- Production Companies: Anima Sola Productions, HBO, Playtone
- Production Countries: United States of America
Big Love - Plot
The story of Bill Henrickson and his life in suburban Salt Lake City, balancing the needs of his three wives -- Barb, Nicki and Margene-- their seven kids, three new houses and the opening of his newest hardware store. When disturbing news arrives about Bill's father, he is forced to reconnect with his polygamist parents who live on a fundamentalist compound in rural Utah.
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Big Love - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Will Scheffer
- Mark V. Olsen
Main Cast
- Bill Paxton
- Jeanne Tripplehorn
- Chloë Sevigny
- Ginnifer Goodwin
- Grace Zabriskie
- Douglas Smith
- Garrett Fraye
- Keegan Holst
- Matt Ross
- Joel McKinnon Miller
Writers
- Mark V. Olsen
- Dustin Lance Black
- Jill Sprecher
- Karen Sprecher
- Will Scheffer
Executive Producers
- Tom Hanks
- Gary Goetzman
- David Knoller
- Mark V. Olsen
- Will Scheffer
Big Love - FAQs
Where can you watch Big Love online?
Big Love is available to stream on Max (formerly HBO Max) and through the HBO Max Amazon Channel. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
Is Big Love based on a true story?
Big Love is not based on a specific true story. However, it draws on real aspects of polygamist communities in Utah, particularly fundamentalist Mormon splinter groups. Creators Will Scheffer and Mark V. Olsen researched these communities extensively to ground the fictional Henrickson family in authenticity.
Who are the main actors in Big Love?
Big Love stars Bill Paxton as patriarch Bill Henrickson, alongside Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodwin as his three wives. The ensemble also includes Grace Zabriskie, Matt Ross, Harry Dean Stanton, Amanda Seyfried, and Mary Kay Place in key supporting roles.
Why was Big Love controversial during its run?
Big Love sparked debate for its sympathetic portrayal of polygamy, which critics and religious groups found provocative. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints distanced itself from the show. A Season 4 depiction of a sacred temple ceremony drew particularly sharp criticism from Mormon communities worldwide.
How many seasons and episodes does Big Love have?
Big Love ran for five seasons on HBO, comprising 53 episodes in total. Season 1 and Season 2 each contained 12 episodes, Season 3 had 10, Season 4 had 9, and Season 5 wrapped the series with 10 final episodes.
Did Big Love win any awards?
Big Love earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations throughout its run. Chloë Sevigny won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series in 2010 for her portrayal of Nicki Grant, one of the show's most celebrated performances.
What is Big Love rated and why?
Big Love carries a TV-MA rating, indicating it is intended for mature audiences only. The series contains adult themes including polygamy, religious extremism, sexual content, and complex family dynamics that make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Who created the HBO series Big Love?
Big Love was created by Will Scheffer and Mark V. Olsen, a writing and producing partnership. The series was executive produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman through Playtone, alongside David Knoller and Bernadette Caulfield.
More About Big Love
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