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Michael Reid

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The grassroots drama of the Walker family from the award-winning series “Brothers & Sisters” has returned for its third season on ABC and Global, and the story of one family’s fortitude in the face of any obstacle continues strong.

The third season of “Brothers & Sisters” has already proven to keep up with the previous two, which have already nabbed the show a couple of awards and a pack of nominations.

Part of its success may lie in the fact that there doesn’t seem to be one topic “Brothers & Sisters” is afraid of. It continues to successfully tackle tough subjects many families find both touchy and realistic, such as politics, homosexuality, infidelity and war. In fact, much of the charm and success of the show comes from its ability to relate to viewers while at the same time offering up a solid (and seemingly ever-increasing) level of drama and fantasy to keep the audience immersed in the story.

The drama follows a group of five adult siblings as they try to cope with life’s ups and downs while maintaining close family ties in the aftermath of their father’s death. Divorced mother of two Sarah (Rachel Griffiths, “Six Feet Under”) is the eldest and finds herself locked in a power struggle with her father’s mistress over control of the family business. Her brother, Tommy (Balthazar Getty), is torn between the business and a loyalty to his young family. Kevin (Matthew Rhys) is a lawyer who must contend with prejudices about his homosexuality.

Kitty (Calista Flockhart) has endured her own share of heartache and disappointment following both a miscarriage and an unsuccessful presidential bid by her husband, Republican Senator Robert McCallister (Rob Lowe). The youngest of the family, Justin (Dave Annable), has struggled with war trauma and addiction.They are all held together by the Walker family matriarch, Nora Walker (Sally Field).

These character plot lines combine to deliver some of the most compelling and emotion- filled stories week after week.

In an all-new episode airing Sunday, Oct. 5, Kitty has decided to publish a tell-all memoir focusing on her husband’s failed attempt at running for president.

Her plans to include the Walker family’s own trials and tribulations in the book obviously make the rest of the family uneasy.

Since its inception, “Brothers & Sisters” has boasted an all-star cast of who’s who from the film and television industry.

Field is a multiple awardwinning actress whose major film roles include the first two instalments of “Smokey and the Bandit,”“Steel Magnolias” and “Forrest Gump.”

Throughout her career, she’s won two Oscars -- one for “Norma Rae” and another for “Places in the Heart.” She also holds three Emmy awards and two Golden Globes.

Although some of her biggest gigs, such as“Mrs. Doubtfire,” have been in film, she hasn’t forgotten her television roots. In the ‘60s, Sally Field landed her first big roles in the television sitcoms“Gidget” and then as Sister Bertrille in “The Flying Nun.”

She’s jumped between the big and small screens throughout her entire career, but Field’s first big award was winning an Emmy in 1976 for her role as the title character in “Sybil,” the story of Shirley Ardell Mason, who suffered from dissociative identity disorder, more commonly known as multiple personality disorder.

Her portrayal of characters with mental illness didn’t stop there. She’s been a powerful recurring guest star on “ER” playing Maggie, the mother of Dr. Abby Lockhart. Her character suffers from bi-polar disorder, which has seriously affected her relationships with her children.

One of Fields’ fellow“Brothers & Sisters”cast members is Lowe, one of the original Brat Pack members who got his big break in the film adaptation of the novel “The Outsiders,” and then the ‘80s pop-culture classic,“St. Elmo’s Fire.”

Lowe is known best for his serious roles but has on occasion broken out of that mould and successfully cultivated his serious demeanour for comedic value. He’s worked alongside “Saturday Night Live” veterans in movies such as “Tommy Boy,” with Chris Farley and David Spade, and the “Austin Powers” trilogy with Mike Myers.

Lowe’s “Brothers & Sisters” castmate Flockhart is no slouch in the television industry herself.

Her first major role was the title character in Fox’s “Ally McBeal,” which in 1998 won her a Golden Globe.That year, she graced the cover of “Time” magazine when her character was heralded as the newest evolutionary step in feminism.

She has also graced the cover of countless tabloids due to her personal life, including a romance with “Indiana Jones” himself, Harrison Ford.

Executive producer Ken Olin is no stranger to television dramas, having enjoyed previous success as an actor on the landmark series“thirtysomething,”“ Hill Street Blues” and “L.A. Doctors,” to name a few. Since then, he has carved out a name for himself as executive producer of “Alias” and even as director for episodes of “The West Wing,” “Felicity,” “Judging Amy” and the short-lived series “Freaks and Geeks.” Olin is joined by co-producers Greg Berlanti, Monica Owusu-Breen, Alison Schapker, Sarah Caplan and Molly Newman.

With a stellar cast and crew, it’s no wonder “Brothers & Sisters” has become a must see on Sunday nights.