"GETTING ON," AN OFFBEAT, COMEDIC LOOK AT THE DYSFUNCTIONAL STAFF OF A BELEAGUERED HOSPITAL, BEGINS ITS THIRD AND FINAL SEASON NOV. 8, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

At the Billy Barnes Extended Care Unit of Mt. Palms Hospital in Long Beach, Cal., the staff attends to the needs of female patients who are often "getting on" in years, while dealing with the challenges of a health-care bureaucracy in need of an overhaul. Even as they attempt to serve their charges under less-than-ideal circumstances, the lives of this ragtag crew are complicated by conflicting agendas, both professional and personal.

From creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer (co-creators of the acclaimed HBO series "Big Love"), GETTING ON returns for its six-episode third and final season SUNDAY, NOV. 8 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Blending outrageous humor and unexpected moments of tenderness, the critically-acclaimed show follows the daily lives of nurses and doctors as they struggle with the darkly comic realities of caring for the elderly in an overwhelmed healthcare system, skewering the petty bureaucracies of modern medical practice in America.

Cast regulars on GETTING ON include: Laurie Metcalf (three Emmys(R) for "Roseanne") as Dr. Jenna James, who once hoped to become a medical-research star, but has instead been sentenced to purgatory at the facility; Alex Borstein ("Family Guy") as Nurse Dawn, whose personal shortcomings undermine her need to excel in her job; Niecy Nash ("Reno 911!"), a recent Emmy(R) nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, as Nurse DiDi, whose easy rapport with patients should be an example to her superiors, but isn't; and Mel Rodriguez ("Community") as Patsy De La Serda, a reform-minded supervising nurse.

Beginning eight months after the conclusion of season two, season three finds Dr. James determined to put the corporate-hospice scandal behind her, and pushing her research ambitions further than ever before. Nurse DiDi emerges as a union leader amidst a family drama that finds its way onto the ward. Newly married Nurse Dawn struggles to make sense of her new responsibilities and uncertain future, continuing to circle the orbit of male Supervising Nurse Patsy, who's looking to embrace a new lifestyle. These personal stories play out against the backdrop of Billy Barnes' threatened demise and the fight to keep the ward (and hospital) alive.

New guest stars on the third season of GETTING ON include: Rhea Perlman ("Cheers"), Frances Conroy (HBO's "Six Feet Under"), Grant Bowler ("Defiance"), Rita Moreno ("West Side Story"), Kristen Johnston ("Third Rock from the Sun"), Jonathan Silverman ("Weekend at Bernie's") and musician Janis Ian, as well Vicky Pepperdine and Joanna Scanlan, stars of the original British show on which the HBO series is based, who make a special appearance in the fourth episode of the season. Returning guest stars include: Jayma Mays, Mary Kay Place, June Squibb, Harry Dean Stanton and Daniel Stern.

November's episodes:

Episode #13 (season 3, episode 1) "This Is About Vomit, People"

Debut: SUNDAY, NOV. 8 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 8 (12:30 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 9 (11:15 p.m.), 10 (5:50 p.m.), 11 (9:30 p.m.) and 14 (1:05 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Nov. 9 (10:00 p.m.), 12 (5:30 p.m.) and 14 (6:15 p.m.)

As Dr. Jenna James (Laurie Metcalf) looks to move past her hospice scandal, she finds her job threatened by a handsome new doctor (Grant Bowler) and takes immediate action. DiDi (Niecy Nash) is inspired to fight for her union rights, while cutbacks force Patsy (Mel Rodriguez) to return to floor duty. Dawn (Alex Borstein) questions her marriage and later gets distressing news.

Written by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; directed by Miguel Arteta.

Episode #14 (season 3, episode 2) "Don't Let It Get in You or on You"

Debut: SUNDAY, NOV. 15 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 15 (12:30 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 16 (1:00 a.m.), 17 (4:15 p.m.), 18 (9:45 p.m.) and 21 (11:10 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Nov. 16 (10:00 p.m.), 19 (5:00 p.m.) and 21 (1:45 p.m.)

The staff faces an infectious disease crisis. DiDi's family drama spills into work, in the person of Yvette (Marsha Stephanie Blake), her sister-in-law. Dr. James reaches out to a pharmaceutical company and finds herself affected by a patient with a complicated past (Joyce Geronimus). A worn-out Dawn is revived by Patsy's unpredictable advances.

Written by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; directed by Miguel Arteta.

Episode #15 (season 3, episode 3) "No, I Don't Want a F***ing Smiley Face"

Debut: SUNDAY, NOV. 22 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 22 (12:30 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 23 (11:30 p.m.), 24 (5:00 p.m.), 25 (9:30 p.m.) and 28 (3:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Nov. 23 (10:00 p.m.), 26 (5:00 p.m.) and 28 (1:45 p.m.)

While preparing for a conference, Dr. James is caught off-guard by workplace politics. A felon (Rhea Perlman) with cancer, and a history of daring escapes, arrives at the ward. When his mother (Ivone Coll) pays a visit, Patsy asks Dawn to pose as someone she's not. DiDi's mother-in-law (Gloria Leroy) comes to Billy Barnes for treatment, sparking a family feud.

Written by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; directed by Miguel Arteta.

Episode #16 (season 3, episode 4) "Am I Still Me?"

Debut: SUNDAY, NOV. 29 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 29 (midnight, 2:00 a.m.) and 30 (3:20 a.m.), and Dec. 2 (9:30 p.m.) and 5 (10:45 p.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Nov. 30 (10:00 p.m.)

On the day of her "Sympoosium," Dr. James is plagued by unexpected complications. Patsy embraces his truth, and DiDi finds herself caught between work and family. Dawn and Dr. James see uncanny visions of themselves in two British visitors, Dr. Pippa Moore (Vicki Pepperdine) and Sister Den Flixter (Joanna Scanlan).

Written by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; directed by Miguel Arteta.

Based on the BBC series of the same name, GETTING ON concluded its second season in Dec. 2014, inspiring critical raves. Entertainment Weekly called the show "darkly comic" and "deeply moving," declaring, "GETTING ON is something better than funny or sad: It's true," while the Village Voice hailed it as "daring, insightful and poignant."

Guest stars on the first two seasons included Betty Buckley, Carrie Preston, Molly Shannon, Alia Shawkat and Jean Smart.

GETTING ON is executive produced by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer under their Anima Sola Productions Banner, Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner of BBC Worldwide Productions, Miguel Arteta, Geoff Atkinson, Jo Brand, Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine; co-executive producers, Lisa Bellomo, Courtney Conte and Chrisann Verges.