This Is Us
This Is Us
Now Showing

This Is Us

"This is real. This is love. This is life."

8.2
Yr 2016
Status Ended
Your Verdict

Rate this show to unlock picks like it. Create a free account.

Series Brief

Overview

Follows the lives and families of three adults living and growing up in the United States of America in present and past times. As their paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways, we find that several of them share the same birthday - and so much more than anyone would expect.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 85 /100

This Is Us is widely praised for its emotional depth, compelling character development, and ability to tackle relevant social issues such as addiction and mental health. Critics frequently highlight the series' relatability and its focus on the complexities of family life, noting that the show excels at creating profound, sincere connections with its audience, even when the narrative occasionally leans into sentimentality or melodrama.

While the series is frequently celebrated as an uplifting, 'must-watch' drama, some critics find fault with its reliance on puzzle-box storytelling or 'narrative trickery' to heighten emotional stakes. Nevertheless, the consensus remains that the show’s strong ensemble performances and realistic dialogue make it a standout in modern family television.

“One of the most relatable and gripping series to grace the small screen in years.”

“The emotional level of this show is through the roof, because we love these characters so hard.”

“Though the story lines in This Is Us at times veered into cheesy, eye-roll territory, the storytelling was always beautiful.”

“This Is Us perfectly captures a realistic depiction of life and the show is all the stronger for it.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Why fans love it

This drama anchors itself in the messy, nonlinear reality of family life. By toggling between the past and present, it explores how formative losses and childhood experiences ripple through decades. Milo Ventimiglia anchors the shifting timeline as a central figure whose influence on his children persists long after his death. The focus remains on the quiet, often overlooked connections that define identity, shifting away from high-stakes action toward the internal weight of shared history.

The series finds its rhythm in the tension between grief and joy. It handles complex subjects like addiction and the lingering effects of adoption without relying on sensationalism. Instead, the narrative emphasizes the endurance of sibling bonds and the persistence of romantic love through turbulent years. By examining the intimate details of how people learn to mourn, it highlights the resilience required to maintain family relationships through unexpected transitions and cumulative loss.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 17
Longest run 105 eps
Show 67 more
Melanie Liburd as Zoe Baker 21 episodes Lyric Ross as Déjà Pearson 68 episodes Asante Blackk as Malik Hodges 16 episodes Eris Baker as Tess Pearson 91 episodes Caitlin Thompson as Madison Simons 46 episodes Faithe Herman as Annie Pearson 90 episodes Ron Cephas Jones as William Hill 45 episodes Griffin Dunne as Nicky Pearson 29 episodes Niles Fitch as 14-19 Year Old Randall 80 episodes Hannah Zeile as 14-19 Year Old Kate 81 episodes Logan Shroyer as 14-19 Year Old Kevin 81 episodes Mackenzie Hancsicsak as 8-13 Year Old Kate 80 episodes Parker Bates as 8-13 Year Old Kevin 80 episodes Lonnie Chavis as 8-13 Year Old Randall 81 episodes Milana Vayntrub as Sloane Sandburg 8 episodes Janet Montgomery as Olivia Maine 5 episodes Sam Trammell as Ben 4 episodes Julia Cho as Jill 4 episodes John Pollono as Tyler 5 episodes Hari Dhillon as Sanjay Jahiri 4 episodes Alexandra Breckenridge as Sophie 35 episodes Ron Howard as Ron Howard (uncredited) 4 episodes Debra Jo Rupp as Linda 4 episodes Rob Morgan as Sol Brown 5 episodes Wynn Everett as Shelly 5 episodes Isabel Marcus as Allison 6 episodes Vien Hong as Hai Lang 4 episodes Annie Funke as Ellie 4 episodes Michael Angarano as Young Adult Nicky Pearson 7 episodes Jermel Nakia as Young William 11 episodes Sophia Coto as Sophie (12 Y / O) 4 episodes Jennifer C. Holmes as Laurel DuBois 7 episodes Stephanie Ray as Liz 4 episodes Jill Johnson as Laurie 7 episodes Ryan Michelle Bathe as Yvette 4 episodes Joaquin Obradors as Young Jack 11 episodes Makenzie Lee-Foster as Déjà (5 Y / O) 4 episodes Amanda Leighton as Teen Sophie 19 episodes Donnie Masihi as Young Nicky 8 episodes Joy Brunson as Shauna 8 episodes Alvin Cowan as Townie 5 episodes Peter Falls as Murphy 5 episodes Drew Olivia Tillman as Sky 5 episodes Iantha Richardson as Adult Tess 10 episodes Aynsley Bubbico as Shay 5 episodes Auden Thornton as Lucy Damon 6 episodes Kya Kruse as Young Rebecca (11 Y / O) 5 episodes Austin Abrams as Marc McKeon 6 episodes Ca'Ron Jaden Coleman as 6 Year Old Randall 19 episodes Kaz Womack as 6 Year Old Kevin 21 episodes Isabella Rose Landau as 6 Year Old Kate 21 episodes Laura Niemi as Marilyn Pearson 6 episodes Rachel Hilson as Beth Clarke 13 episodes Peter Onorati as Stanley Pearson 12 episodes Tim Jo as Jae-won Yoo 13 episodes Elizabeth Perkins as Janet Malone 6 episodes Noah Salsbury Lipson as Matty Sharp 5 episodes Timothy Omundson as Gregory 7 episodes Jennifer Morrison as Cassidy Sharp 14 episodes Chris Geere as Philip 12 episodes Callie Carlin Ogden as Franny 5 episodes Kellan Tetlow as Nicky Jr. 5 episodes Adam Korson as Elijah 10 episodes Vanessa Bell Calloway as Edie 8 episodes Gerald McRaney as Nathan Katowski 9 episodes Blake Stadnik as Jack Damon 7 episodes Johnny Kincaid as Jack Jr. 10 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Transportation Coordinator
Production Design
Creator
Director of Photography
Hair Department Head
First Assistant Director
Set Decoration
Construction Coordinator
Costume Design
Post Production Supervisor
Property Master
Key Grip
Signal Match

Similarity

Where This Is Us overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

sibling relationship loss of loved one adoption addiction romance flashback grief family relationships nostalgic grieving powerful
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
September 20, 2016
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
1,636