Matt Webb Mitovich (March 22, 2011). "ABC Announces May Finales for Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family and 14 Others". tvline.com . Retrieved January 23, 2012. The show was created by Ken Olin and Jon Robin Baitz. Greg Berlanti acts as executive producer and show runner for the first season. Brothers and Sisters is produced by Berlanti Television, After Portsmouth, and Touchstone Television (Fall 2006-Spring 2007), which is now ABC Studios (Fall 2007–present). The series is from producer Ken Olin (star of thirtysomething and producer of Alias) and Jon Robin Baitz, one of Broadway's most prominent playwrights ( The Substance of Fire). Noted producer Greg Berlanti was also an executive producer and showrunner during season one. Berlanti continued to serve on the series as executive producer. Mark B. Perry ( The Wonder Years and One Tree Hill) served as the showrunner for twelve episodes before departing the show in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. Perry was replaced by Monica Owusu-Breen and Alison Schapker who served as showrunners until they were replaced by David Marshall Grant shortly into season 4.

Rebecca has a secret that could make or break her relationship with Justin; Holly's financial situation worsens; Sarah becomes jealous of Nora's new romance.In the episode 'Love All,' Scotty and Saul begin to make plans to open their own restaurant, while Kevin begins to feel unhappy with being unemployed. He tells Scotty to go forward with the restaurant while he figures out his purpose. The siblings are planning a surprise party for Nora's 60th birthday. The plans go awry when Sarah falls ill and Tommy learns that they can't have any alcohol at the party, due to Justin's rehab rules. With Kitty distracting Nora, the burden of planning the party falls onto Kevin. In the midst of all the mess, Saul and Nora's overbearing mother Ida (special guest star Marion Ross) comes in earlier and ruins the surprise. Olivia's brother fights for custody after revealing he doesn't believe two men should raise a child. The judge however, rules that she stay with Kevin and Scotty. Sarah convinces Kitty and Seth to give their relationship another try. Nora panics when she loses Lily and Justin tries to make her admit to her feelings about Brody. Emily VanCamp left the show and only appeared in two episodes during the fifth season to close out her character's storyline. [6] Patricia Wettig left the show mid-season after her character Holly Harper followed her daughter to New York. This season sees the whole Harper family absent from the show. [7]

Luc’s visa issues cause monumental problems for Sarah, who not only struggles with her feelings for him, but worries that she might lose him again – this time to another woman. Meanwhile, Rebecca wrestles with Justin and with herself to move on after a huge loss, Kevin discovers breaking up with Robert is hard to do, and Holly thinks she has found the hidden value of Ojai Foods. American Idol, Dancing With the Stars and 60 Minutes lead overall viewing. TV by the Numbers. March 24, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2010. Kitty, Robert and Nora struggle to accept Kitty's cancer and to come to an agreement on the best possible treatment, but as they prepare to share the news with the entire family, a surprise visitor from afar makes the burden a bit easier to bear. Brothers & Sisters DVD news: Announcement for Brothers & Sisters – The Complete 4th Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015 . Retrieved December 29, 2012. Seidman, Robert (November 2, 2010). "Sunday Finals: 'Amazing Race,' 'Undercover Boss' Adjusted Up; '60 Minutes' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 14, 2010 . Retrieved November 2, 2010.

Robert agrees to drop his gubernatorial campaign at the same time that Kitty begins talking to Buffy, an old friend, about returning to a life in politics. After Kitty tells Robert, he thinks she should run for his seat. They put the decision to a family vote. After some initial hesitation from Kevin, who is unsure of his future in the job, they all agree that she should run. Nora Walker, widow of William Walker, mother of Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin and Justin; Grandmother to Paige, Cooper, Evan, Elizabeth, William II, Olivia and Daniel; homemaker.

There were several cast changes in 2011, with the departures of Rob Lowe, whose character Robert McCallister (Kitty's husband) died in the car crash that ended season 4, and of Luke Grimes, who played Ryan Lafferty, William Walker's illegitimate son. Gilles Marini, who played Luc Laurent, Sarah's boyfriend, was also upgraded to a series regular. [3] Additionally, Kerris Lilla Dorsey and Maxwell Perry Cotton, the actors who portrayed Sarah Walker's children, Paige and Cooper, respectively, were downgraded to recurring status. Seidman, Robert (April 19, 2011). "Sunday Finals: 'Celebrity Apprentice,' 'Amazing Race,' 'Undercover Boss,' 'Extreme Makeover,' '60 Minutes' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011 . Retrieved April 19, 2011. Nora and Sarah head to DC to discover why Kitty has yet to return home. Kevin and Scotty finally welcome Olivia into their family and Justin may be pushing himself to the limit trying to help out Zach. a b Gorman, Bill (October 5, 2010). "Sunday Finals: The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives Rise; Undercover Boss A Bit Less Bossy vs. Football". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 9, 2011 . Retrieved October 5, 2010. The premiere aired on ABC on Sunday September 27, 2009, and concluded May 16, 2010. Season Four began three months after the events of 'Mexico'.The Walker family shares love and loss on Valentine's Day as Sarah rediscovers the love of her life (guest starring Gilles Marini as Luc Laurent), Kitty makes a grand but heartfelt entree into politics with her family and new campaign manager by her side (guest starring Cheryl Hines as Buffy), Justin and Rebecca face the struggles of impending parenthood and Holly makes a tough decision about what to do with her shares of Ojai. The Walkers attend a party for Luc's ad campaign. Sarah is feeling distant from Paige. Kevin must deal with a runaway teenager. Kitty becomes suspicious of her mother's behavior and begins to think she's having a secret relationship...with a woman. Gorman, Bill (October 5, 2010). "Sunday Finals: The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives Rise; Undercover Boss A Bit Less Bossy vs. Football". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 9, 2011 . Retrieved October 5, 2010.