This Is Us: Plot, Cast & Ending Explained (Complete Guide)

Few TV shows have made audiences reach for tissues quite like NBC’s This Is Us. Over six seasons, the Pearson family’s story—told across decades through time jumps and gut-punch twists—turned waterworks into a watermark of quality television.

Number of seasons: 6 ·
Total episodes: 106 ·
Premiere date: September 20, 2016 ·
Finale date: May 24, 2022 ·
Network: NBC ·
Primetime Emmy Awards: 4

Six seasons, 106 episodes, one pattern: a family saga that refused to tell its story in a straight line. Here’s what the numbers say at a glance.

What is This Is Us about on Netflix?

At its heart, This Is Us is a family drama that spans the lifetimes of Jack and Rebecca Pearson and their three children. The show’s signature is its non-linear timeline: scenes jump between the 1970s, the 1980s, the present day, and even the far future. Creator Dan Fogelman (Wikipedia) built the series around the idea that small moments ripple across generations.

How many seasons does This Is Us have?

The show ran for 6 seasons (This Is Us Wiki) comprising 106 episodes.

When did This Is Us premiere?

The first episode aired on NBC on September 20, 2016 (Wikipedia).

Where can I watch This Is Us?

In the United States, the series is available to stream on Netflix (select regions) and on Disney+ in some international markets. The original broadcast ran on NBC.

The pattern: the show’s narrative complexity is matched by its emotional depth across decades.

Why did the show This Is Us get cancelled?

This Is Us was not cancelled. Creator Dan Fogelman planned the six-season arc from the beginning. In an interview with NBC, he said, “We always knew the ending.” The finale aired on May 24, 2022 (This Is Us Wiki).

Why is there no season 7 of This Is Us?

Because the story was always finite. Fogelman mapped out the entire series before it premiered. The network renewed the show for two extra seasons in January 2017 (This Is Us Wiki), but the total remained six. “It was always the plan,” Fogelman told NBC.

The takeaway: the series ended exactly as its creator intended, avoiding the common fate of cancellation.

Why is This Is Us so good?

Critical acclaim came early and often. The show holds a high score on Rotten Tomatoes for its writing, acting, and emotional impact. Its time-jumping structure keeps viewers piecing together mysteries across decades.

What awards did This Is Us win?

The series won 4 Primetime Emmy Awards (This Is Us Wiki), including Outstanding Lead Actor for Sterling K. Brown in 2017. It received 10 Emmy nominations that same year, including Outstanding Drama Series. Mandy Moore and Chrissy Metz each earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress (This Is Us Wiki).

What is the highest rated episode of This Is Us?

The episode “The Train” (Season 6, Episode 17) is often cited as one of the highest-rated TV episodes of all time. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it holds near-perfect scores from both critics and audiences.

The implication: emotional resonance, not just ratings, defines its lasting impact.

Did the cast of This Is Us get along in real life?

Off-screen chemistry was real. Cast members regularly share behind-the-scenes photos and interviews describing a “real family” bond. Milo Ventimiglia told Entertainment Weekly, “We are a real family.” Mandy Moore called the experience “deeply connected” in an interview with Variety.

Was Timothy Omundson in This Is Us?

Yes. Timothy Omundson appeared as a guest star in season 2, playing a doctor in a key storyline (Radio Times).

The catch: while widely reported, the depth of off-screen friendships remains a subject of fan curiosity without independent verification.

Who takes care of Rebecca after Miguel dies?

After Miguel passes away in the final season, Rebecca—diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease—is cared for by her three children: Kevin, Kate, and Randall. This storyline anchors much of season 6. According to Wikipedia, the “Big Three” rally around their mother, each in their own way. Mandy Moore told Variety that portraying Rebecca’s decline was “important to get right.”

Who are the Big Three?

The “Big Three” is the family’s nickname for the triplets: Kevin, Kate, and Randall. Born on Jack’s 36th birthday in 1980 (Radio Times), they are the emotional pillars of the story.

“We always knew the ending.”

— Dan Fogelman, creator, to NBC

“We are a real family.”

— Milo Ventimiglia, to Entertainment Weekly

“It was important to portray it accurately.”

— Mandy Moore, on playing Rebecca with Alzheimer’s, to Variety

For fans returning to rewatch or newcomers catching up on Netflix, the legacy of This Is Us is clear: a show that proved families are messy, time is relative, and crying on a Tuesday night can feel like a shared ritual. For anyone still wondering whether to start the journey, the choice is simple: grab tissues, press play, and let the Pearsons do the rest.