Big news out of Big Love today: the HBO drama will conclude after its upcoming fifth season.

“It has been an honor and pleasure to work with series creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer on this unique and provocative series, and I’m happy that they will be able to bring the story to its close the way they always envisioned,” said HBO President Michael Lombardo said in a statement. ”We look forward with great anticipation to collaborating with Mark and Will on their next venture.”

Never a ratings powerhouse, Big Love was always a critical favorite. Fans and professionals alike took exception to the weak fourth season, however.

In a joint statement, Olsen and Scheffer said this decision was a creative one:

“While we were in the writers’ room this year shaping our fifth season [premiering on January 16], we discovered that we were approaching the culmination of that story.”

Will you miss Big Love?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.