Susan Sarandon Joins Showtime's 'The Big C' for Major Arc (Exclusive)

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Susan Sarandon

Oscar winner Susan Sarandon has booked a multiepisode arc on Season 3 of Showtime's The Big C.

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On the dark comedy, created by Darlene Hunt, Laura Linney stars as Cathy, a woman diagnosed with cancer who is determined to make the most out of her life.

Sarandon will play Joy, a cancer survivor who is using her unique experience to inspire and motivate others. The casting continues the series' history with booking big-name guest stars in roles that significantly impact Cathy's character.

"She's another cancer survivor who has used her cancer experience in a unique way trying to inspire other people," Hunt tells The Hollywood Reporter. "She makes Cathy question whether she's doing enough with her own cancer experience."

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Idris Elba starred in Season 1 as Lenny, a painter with whom Cathy had an affair; Hugh Dancy had a major arc last season as Lee, a fellow clinical trial patient whom Cathy befriended and whose death had a great impact on her.

Sarandon, whose small-screen credits include Rescue Me, ER, Friends and 30 Rock, earned a best actress Academy Award in 1996 for Dead Man Walking and has four Emmy nominations, including two for guesting roles on Friends and Malcolm in the Middle. She is repped by ICM.

Sarandon joins Victor Garber as guest stars already lined up for Season 3 of The Big C. Garber will appear in the premiere as a foil for Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) when an accidental phone call "leads to a harassing situation."

Season 3 of The Big C will premiere Sunday, April 8 on Showtime.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit