One of TV's most acclaimed drama series, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Six Feet Under is created and executive produced by the Oscar-winning writer of American Beauty, Alan Ball (also an Emmy-winner for this show), Six Feet Under continues to focus on the cathartic journey of the extended Fisher family, whose personal trials and tribulations are played out against the solemn backdrop of an independent funeral home in LA. / This past season, story elements established in the first four seasons reach a series of emotional climaxes, with Ruth overwhelmed by her mentally fragile husband George, Nate struggling to reaffirm his relationship with Brenda while raising his daughter Maya, David and Keith longing for children of their own, Claire trying to broaden her horizons, and Federico attempting to fill the void left by Vanessa. By season's end, each of the main characters will come to embrace the cycle of life - birth, death, and rebirth - in ways that are both unique and interconnected. / A breakout hit for HBO, Six Feet Under was created, co-written and executive produced by Alan Ball, who wrote the hit film American Beauty, winner of five Oscars including Best Picture and Original Screenplay (Ball). Last year, the Producers Guild of America honored Ball and fellow SFU Executive Producers Alan Poul, Robert Greenblatt and David Janollari with the Norman Pelton Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Television - Drama. / Six Feet Under was nominated for two 2004 Golden Globes, with Frances Conroy winning for Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama, and won two 2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards (Conroy and the ensemble cast). The show has received 32 Emmy nominations and won seven times, and has been nominated for eight Golden Globes, winning three. / SFU's highly promotable cast regulars include Peter Krause (We Don't Live Here Anymore) as elder son Nate, nearing his 40th birthday and struggling to create a happy family with Brenda and daughter Maya; Frances Conroy (The Aviator) as matriarch Ruth, already feeling trapped in her new marriage to George; Michael C. Hall (Paycheck) as younger son David, finally enjoying stability in his relationship with boyfriend Keith (Mathew St. Patrick), a personal bodyguard; Lauren Ambrose (Psycho Beach Party) as rebellious daughter Claire, still pushing the envelope with her art; Rachel Griffiths (Hilary and Jackie, Golden Globe winner for this role) as Brenda, now studying to be a therapist; Freddy Rodriguez (Chasing Papi) as mortician/partner Federico Diaz, still separated from his wife and now dating; Justina Machado as Vanessa, increasingly liberated without Federico, and James Cromwell (Angels in America) as George, Ruth's now mentally fragile husband. / Season Five directors include Mary Harron (HBO Films' The Notorious Bettie Page) and Joshua Marston (HBO Films' Maria Full of Grace), with SFU executive producer Alan Poul returning as a director, and creator Alan Ball slated to direct the series finale.