Mae Whitman, Lauren Graham and Miles Heizer star in "Parenthood"

Get ready to welcome Zeek and Camille Braverman and their family back into your home this fall as Season 4 of the hit comedy-drama "Parenthood" returns to NBC prime time on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

While there had been rumors of cancelation and doubts about the future of the series, NBC's decision to give the go-ahead for a fourth season has put a large number of dedicated fans at ease. NBC has ordered 15 episodes, but the possibility of a full 22-episode season is likely if the new season is well received.

The series, which follows the lives of three generations of the Braverman Clan, features a long list of characters and multi-plot storylines and has succeeded where other shows of a similar format have failed. Despite the Braverman's extended family tree, the series hasn't fallen into common pitfalls associated with too many characters and too confusing plot lines.

The show has often been praised for its realistic portrayal of family life, effectively capturing the struggles and turbulent relationships between parent and child, brother and sister, and husband and wife. As a result, it earned the title of third-highest rated show on the network.

Expect the new season to bring on new challenges, love and heartbreak as siblings Adam (Peter Krause), Sarah (Lauren Graham), Crosby (Dax Shepard) and Julia (Erika Christensen) Braverman try to cope with the ups and downs of raising children and holding together a family. Also new this season are several television alumni who will join the show's already-impressive cast.

Ray Romano has been give a multi-episode arc and will make his "Parenthoood" debut in the premiere episode. The former "Men of a Certain Age" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" star will join the cast as a photographer, whose interest in Sarah could complicate her "relationship" with Mark (Jason Ritter). Those who tuned in to the Season 3 finale will be waiting on Sarah to make an important decision regarding her future with Mark.

Also joining this season's cast as a potential love interest for Amber (Mae Whitman) is the former "American Idol" contestant and real-life husband of "Twilight" star Nikki Reed, Paul McDonald. True to real life, McDonald, who placed eighth in Season 10 of "American Idol," will be making his acting debut as the lead guitarist in a band recording at the Luncheonette studio, where Amber has landed a job working for her uncles.

"Friday Night Lights" alum Matt Lauria has also landed a recurring role. He is one of many former "Friday Night Lights" actors to appear in the series, including Minka Kelly, Michael B Jordan, Derek Phillips, Angela Rawna and Jeff Rosick. "Parenthood" creator Jason Katmis was also the head writer and executive producer of "Friday Night Lights." Lauria will portray a soldier returning from Afghanistan who bonds with Braverman patriarch and fellow vet, Zeek.

Sam Jeager, whose character Joel will be dealing with the adoption of an eight-year-old boy this season, will be stepping behind the camera for an episode. Jeager directed and appeared in the 2011 drama/comedy "Take Me Home," starring alongside his wife, Amber Jaeger. He is the second cast member to take over the role of director -- Krause who plays Adam, the oldest Braverman child, made his TV directing debut last season. 

While many new faces join the "Parenthood" cast, some of the more familiar faces will be seen a little less this season. Sarah Ramos, who plays Haddie Braverman, will be returning to the series in a guest-starring role as her character graduates high school and heads off to college.

"Parenthood" is the second series loosely based on the 1989 dramedy of the same name starring Steve Martin. The first one aired in 1990 and was produced by Ron Howard, who also directed the film. Despite the series' pilot garnering great reception by critics, the show only lasted one season due to low ratings.

This version has endured since premiering in 2010, although it was originally supposed to star actress Maura Tierney before she was forced to back out of the project to accommodate treatment for breast cancer. Instead, Graham -- best known for her role as Lorelai Gilmore of "The Gilmore Girls" -- was cast as the eldest Braverman daughter, Sarah.