'Big Love' Announces Premiere Date for Season 4

Fans of HBO's polygamous-family drama 'Big Love' can finally set a date for their reunion with Bill, Barb, Nicki and Margene: Variety reports that season 4 will premiere on Jan. 10, 2010.

When last we left the Henrickson family (or, more accurately, the Henrickson/Grant/Heffman family), Bill's brother Joey was suffocating Roman to avenge his wife Kathy's death; Barb was excommunicated from the Mormon church; Nicki had reunited with her daughter Cara Lynn and brought her back to the Henrickson household, seeking forgiveness for her numerous lies; and Bill declared the formation of their own church, with him as leader.

Few details are yet known about season 4, which is currently in production, but Sissy Spacek will guest-star for several episodes as a Washington, D.C., lobbyist.

One additional bit of casting news that might perplex longtime viewers: The role of Tancy, Bill and Barb's precocious younger daughter, will now be played by Bella Thorne, best known as the daughter of Christian Slater's character on 'My Own Worst Enemy.' Thorne replaces Jolean Wejbe, who played Tancy for the first three seasons of 'Big Love.'

The reasons for Wejbe's dismissal have not yet been revealed.