EMMY(R)-NOMINATED HBO COMEDY SERIES "VEEP," CREATED BY ARMANDO IANNUCCI AND STARRING EMMY(R)-WINNER JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS, RETURNS FOR ITS FOURTH SEASON APRIL 12

Having become president after her predecessor stepped down, Selina Meyer is about to give her first major speech as commander-in-chief, though it remains to be seen whether her term will outlast that of America's shortest-serving president, William Henry Harrison. With the stakes for Selina and her team higher than ever before, she must still run for election, and in the weeks to come they will grapple with how to make her seem "presidential."

The Emmy(R)-nominated comedy series VEEP kicks off its ten-episode fourth season SUNDAY, APRIL 12 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Created by Armando Iannucci (Oscar(R) nominee for co-writing "In the Loop"), the show stars Emmy(R) and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus as President Selina Meyer, for whom even the most banal action can set off a ripple effect that has unexpected and far-reaching consequences.

The ensemble cast of the show also includes Emmy(R) winner Tony Hale ("Arrested Development") as Gary, her devoted bodyman; Emmy(R) nominee Anna Chlumsky ("In the Loop") as Amy, her campaign manager; Reid Scott ("The Intern") as Dan, Selina's senior advisor; Matt Walsh ("Into the Storm") as Mike, her weathered press secretary; Timothy C. Simons ("The Interview") as Jonah, vying to get back onto the White House staff; Sufe Bradshaw ("Overnight") as Sue, President Meyer's wry executive assistant; Kevin Dunn (HBO's "True Detective") as Ben, president's chief of staff; Emmy(R) nominee Gary Cole ("The Good Wife") as senior strategist Kent; and new series regular Sam Richardson ("The Office") as Richard, a White House staffer.

Recurring guest stars on the new season include Patton Oswalt ("The Goldbergs") as Teddy, the new vice president's hands-on chief of staff; Sarah Sutherland (HBO's "The Newsroom") as Catherine, Selina's daughter; and Hugh Laurie ("House M.D.") as a powerful political figure.

April's episodes:

Episode #29: "Joint Session"

Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 12 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: April 12 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 13 (1:30 a.m.), 14 (10:30 p.m., 5:00 a.m.), 15 (7:30 p.m.), 16 (9:00 p.m.) and 17 (1:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: April 13 (10:00 p.m.), 17 (5:40 p.m.) and 18 (4:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.)

Twenty-four hours before Selina's first major speech as president, her staff frantically tries to work out how she can say two completely opposite things at the same time. Gary questions his worth now that he can no longer be close to Selina; Jonah is put off by the approach of Teddy, the new VP's chief of staff; Amy learns that Bill Ericsson (Diederich Bader), a rival campaign manager, may make a play for her job.

Teleplay by Simon Blackwell & Georgia Pritchett; story by Armando Iannucci & Simon Blackwell & Georgia Pritchett; directed by Chris Addison.

Episode #30: "East Wing"

Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 19 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: April 19 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 20 (11:15 p.m.), 21 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 22 (7:00 p.m.), 23 (9:00 p.m.) and 24 (1:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: April 20 (10:00 p.m.), 24 (5:00 p.m.) and 25 (12:15 p.m., 12:30 a.m.)

The president's staff prepares for her state visit with the Israeli prime minister. Mike tries out a new look for his more visible role. Teddy does Jonah a favor, while continuing to invade his personal space. Stuck in traffic with Richard, Amy learns via FaceTime that Selina is bringing in a new director of communications. Gary goes overboard while planning the state dinner for the Israeli delegation, and a painting in the White House comes into the spotlight.

Teleplay by Kevin Cecil & Roger Drew & Andy Riley; story by Armando Iannucci & Kevin Cecil & Roger Drew & Andy Riley; directed by Stephanie Laing.

Episode #31: "Data"

Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 26 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: April 26 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 27 (12:15 a.m.), 28 (10:30 p.m., 3:30 a.m.), 29 (7:30 p.m.) and 30 (9:00 p.m.), and May 1 (1:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdate: April 27 (10:00 p.m.)

When the personal details of a previously anonymous girl mentioned by the president are leaked, Selina's team tries to find a scapegoat for the data breach. Catherine tells Selina she wants to support an anti-bullying campaign; Dan tasks Jonah and Richard with buying fireworks for a campaign rally. While Mike is about to make a dreadful error at a press conference, the president hosts the annual Easter Egg Roll and reads a story to the assembled kids.

Teleplay by Simon Blackwell & Neil Gibbons & Rob Gibbons; story by Armando Iannucci & Simon Blackwell & Neil Gibbons & Rob Gibbons; directed by Becky Martin.

In Aug. 2014, Julia Louis-Dreyfus received the Emmy(R) for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, her third win in a row in the category; she previously received Emmys(R) for "Seinfeld" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine." In addition, Tony Hale received the Emmy(R) for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Sept. 2013. VEEP was also nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys(R) for each of its first three seasons.

"VEEP: The Complete Third Season" will be available March 31 on Blu-ray with Digital HD and DVD. All ten episodes are also available now on Digital HD.

VEEP was created by Armando Iannucci; executive produced by Armando Iannucci, Christopher Godsick, Frank Rich, Chris Addison, Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Stephanie Laing; produced by Bill Hill.