Rescue Me has been off the air for over a year because of the 2008 writers’ strike, but it returns tonight with the first of 22 new episodes for its fifth season. The premiere airs on F/X at 10:00 pm Eastern/9:00 Central.

What’s in store this season for Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) and the other firefighters and their friends and family? Michael J. Fox has joined the cast as a new love interest for Tommy’s ex-wife Janet (Andrea Roth) and that’s sure to cause some friction. Tommy is also still dealing with the death of his father. Meanwhile, Lou (John Scurti) reconnects with the prostitute Candy, who swindled him out of his life savings several seasons ago. Lou also meets a writer (Karina Lombard) who reinvigorates his love for poetry.

Meanwhile, the specter of 9/11 continues to shadow the company, as Lombard’s writer interviews the men about their experiences for a book and Franco (Daniel Sunjata) explores whether the attacks were an inside job. Tommy’s daughter Colleen tries to keep her relationship with firefighter Black Shawn (Larenz Tate) a secret. Mike (Michael Lombardi) attempts to run a bar with his mother’s inheritance. And somebody at 62 Truck is battling cancer.

Based on the strength of season five’s episodes, F/X has already renewed Rescue Me for a sixth season to air in 2010. All 22 episodes of season five will air through the spring and summer without breaks or repeats.