Series Overview and Broadcast History
This Is Us is an American drama television series created by Dan Fogelman that premiered on NBC on September 20, 2016. The show follows the Pearson family across multiple timelines, exploring their interconnected lives, struggles, and relationships. The series concluded with its sixth and final season, which aired during the 2021-2022 broadcast year. The show was produced by Rhode Island Ave. Productions, Zaftig Films, and 20th Television, and it became one of NBC's flagship scripted programs during its run. For the latest information on the series, you can refer to the official NBC page for This Is Us.
The series averaged approximately 10-11 million viewers per episode in its first season, according to live-plus-same-day ratings, and its viewership remained strong through subsequent seasons. This Is Us received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional storytelling and ensemble cast. The show earned numerous award nominations, including Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, and won several Television Critics Association Awards. The final season wrapped production in 2022, with the series finale airing on May 24, 2022.
Main Characters and Storylines
The core narrative centers on Jack Pearson, portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia, and his wife Rebecca Pearson, played by Mandy Moore. The series alternates between the past, showing the couple's life in the 1980s and 1990s, and the present day, focusing on their adult children: Kevin, Kate, and Randall. Randall, adopted as a child after being born to a Black mother in Philadelphia, is portrayed by Sterling K. Brown, whose performance earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. The show explores themes of family, trauma, adoption, addiction, and identity.
Kevin Pearson, played by Justin Hartley, struggles with fame and personal relationships as a former sitcom actor. Kate Pearson, portrayed by Chrissy Metz, navigates body image issues and her relationship with music. The present-day storylines also feature Rebecca's later life, including her relationship with Miguel, played by Jon Huertas, and the adult children's efforts to support one another. The series finale provided closure to the Pearson family saga, addressing long-running mysteries and character arcs. Additional details about the show's production and cast can be found on the IMDb page for This Is Us.
Ratings, Streaming, and Cultural Impact
This Is Us consistently ranked among the top-rated broadcast dramas during its run. In the 2017-2018 season, the show averaged around 11.6 million viewers per episode in live-plus-same-day ratings, placing it among the most-watched scripted series on American television. The series also performed well in the key adults 18-49 demographic, making it a valuable property for NBC advertisers. The show's success contributed to NBC's dominance in the Thursday night lineup for several years.
Streaming availability has expanded the show's audience over time. Episodes of This Is Us are available on Hulu and NBC's own streaming platform, Peacock. The series has also been distributed internationally through various partners, including Amazon Prime Video in select regions. The show's cultural impact includes its portrayal of adoption, racial identity, and complex family dynamics, which sparked widespread discussion and social media engagement. For information on the show's distribution and licensing, you can check the official Peacock streaming page.