Over the years, Showtime has built an impressive stable of shows featuring strong but flawed women. Nancy Botwin from "Weeds" deals drugs, Jackie Peyton from "Nurse Jackie" takes drugs, and Belle from "Secret Diary of Call Girl" sells sex for money. Now we have Cathy Jamison from the upcoming "The Big C" to add to the group. She doesn’t dabble in anything illegal, yet, but after she’s diagnosed with cancer, she decides to let her freak flag fly.

You can watch the first episode right here, right now. It stars Laura Linney, Oliver Platt and Gabourey Sidibe, and is directed by Bill Condon (Kinsey, Dreamgirls). Let me know what you think in the comments section.

"The Big C" premieres on Showtime next Monday, August 16 at 10:30PM ET/PT.

See Laura Linney grab life by the balls after the jump…