This Is Us
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| This Is Us | |
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| Title | This Is Us |
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by | Dan Fogelman |
| Starring | Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore (actress), Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Sullivan (actor), Jon Huertas, Erika Christensen, Lyric Ross |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English language |
| No. of episodes | 106 |
| Executive producer | Dan Fogelman, Graham Yost, James Griffiths (director), Jon M. Chu |
| Producer | Kristin Burr, Pamela Hirsch, David Foster (producer) |
| Location | Los Angeles, Pittsburgh |
| Company | 20th Television, Universal Television |
| Network | NBC |
| Original release | 2016–2022 |
This Is Us
This Is Us is an American family drama television series created by Dan Fogelman that premiered on NBC in 2016 and concluded in 2022. The series intertwines multiple timelines to chronicle the lives of the Pearson family, with storylines spanning from the late 1970s through the 2010s. It garnered critical acclaim, strong viewership, and numerous awards during its run on broadcast television.
Premise
The series follows the lives of siblings known as the "Big Three" and their parents, exploring themes of identity, loss, and family dynamics through alternating timelines set in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and various United States locales. Central plotlines include adoption and foster care as they relate to Randall Pearson (character), complex relationships and career arcs for Kate Pearson (character) and Kevin Pearson (character), and the parental experiences of Jack Pearson (character) and Rebecca Pearson (character). Narrative devices include flashbacks, flashforwards, and parallel storylines that intersect with events such as health crises, addiction, military service, and public events referenced in the series' historical framing.
Cast and characters
Lead cast members include Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson, Mandy Moore (actress) as Rebecca Pearson, Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson, Chrissy Metz as Kate Pearson, and Justin Hartley as Kevin Pearson. Supporting and recurring roles feature Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Sullivan (actor), Jon Huertas, Erika Christensen, Lyric Ross, Asante Blackk, Zoe Margaret Colletti, Faithe Herman, and Lyric Ross. Guest appearances and recurring performers encompass actors such as Alexander Skarsgård, Timothy Omundson, Richard Thomas (actor), Greg Kinnear, Judd Hirsch, Titus Welliver, Mandy Patinkin, Katey Sagal, Phyllis Smith, Marsha Stephanie Blake, LaToya Tonodeo, Rob Morgan, Keith David, Maya Rudolph, Jamie Chung, Ellen Burstyn, Bruce Altman, Janet Montgomery, Emily VanCamp, Shane Paul McGhie, Emma Kenney, Brendan Hines, Denis O'Hare, Ellen Pompeo, Kaitlyn Dever, Annie Murphy, Bob Odenkirk, Michael Chiklis, Idina Menzel, Nora Zehetner, Marilyn Manson, Gavin Casalegno, Sarah Ramos, Navid Negahban, Tom Brittney, Alfre Woodard, Laverne Cox, Maggie Siff, Aisha Hinds, Nick Wechsler, Raza Jaffrey, Jimmi Simpson, Brittany Snow, John Leguizamo, D W Moffett, Giles Matthey, Lindsay Sloane, Brittany Murphy, Melora Hardin, Jake McLaughlin, Diane Ladd, Susan Sullivan, Joe Morton, Dominic Fumusa, Mekhi Phifer, Victor Garber, Mary McCormack, Terry Crews, Jeremy Renner, Ethan Embry, Liam Hemsworth, Nicole Beharie, Patricia Clarkson.
Production
The series was created by Dan Fogelman and developed for NBC with production companies including 20th Television and Universal Television. Executive producers and showrunners across the run included Dan Fogelman, Graham Yost, Lizzy Weiss, and directors such as Ken Olin and John Wells. Filming primarily occurred in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh-area locations, with production design and costume departments collaborating with professionals who previously worked on series like Friday Night Lights (2006 TV series), Parenthood (2010 TV series), and Grey's Anatomy. The score and music supervision involved composers and supervisors affiliated with NBCUniversal projects and soundtrack releases tied to Republic Records and Interscope Records distribution channels. The show navigated industry factors including actors' contracts negotiated via Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists standards and production schedules impacted by seasonal television cycles and broader entertainment events like the 2017–18 United States federal government shutdown (contextual industry pressures).
Episodes and seasons
The series ran for six seasons with 106 episodes, including themed episodes that focus on milestone events such as birthdays, funerals, weddings, and medical emergencies. The narrative structure includes episodes that function as character studies, ensemble pieces, and pivotal timeline revelations often timed with sweeps periods and Primetime Emmy Award nominating consideration. Episode directors and writers included alumni from series such as The West Wing, Lost (2004 TV series), Friday Night Lights (2006 TV series), Gilmore Girls, and Mad Men, contributing to a variety of episodic styles, from intimate two-character scenes to large-cast ensemble sequences.
Reception and impact
The series received positive reviews from critics at outlets affiliated with organizations such as The Hollywood Reporter, Variety (magazine), The New York Times, and Los Angeles Times, and it cultivated a dedicated audience reflected in Nielsen ratings. It became a cultural touchstone discussed on platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and was the subject of academic analysis in media studies, television criticism, and discussions linked to representation of adoption, addiction, mental health, and racial identity in serialized drama. The show influenced programming strategies for broadcast networks, prompting comparisons with other high-profile dramas like Grey's Anatomy, This Country (TV series), Parenthood (2010 TV series), and The Crown (TV series), and it generated tie-in merchandise, soundtrack albums, and philanthropic partnerships with organizations focusing on veterans' affairs and mental health initiatives.
Awards and nominations
The series and its cast accumulated multiple nominations and wins across major award bodies including the Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Critics' Choice Television Awards. Notable wins include Sterling K. Brown receiving the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and recognition from groups such as the NAACP Image Awards and the Peabody Awards for storytelling and ensemble performance.
Category:American television series