The Pearsons have arrived on Netflix, and they’re ready to give you a good cry. All six seasons of This Is Us are now streaming in the US, to be savored to your heart’s content.
Created by Dan Fogelman (Only Murders in the Building, Pitch), This Is Us immediately captured the world’s attention when it debuted on NBC in 2016. The emotional family drama remained in the cultural conversation throughout its entire run, before bidding farewell in 2022 –– thanks in part to its deeply moving exploration of complex themes like race, mental health, and grief and displaying a penchant for unexpected twists and nonlinear storytelling. Fronted by a star-studded cast led by Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, and Justin Hartley, the series chronicles the lives of the Pearson family across several decades.
Whether you’re stumbling across This Is Us for the very first time or reliving the Pearsons’ heartwarming journey, here’s everything you need to know about the beloved show.
At its core, This Is Us is a family drama that centers around the Pearson family, namely patriarch Jack (Ventimiglia), matriarch Rebecca (Moore), and their three children: Kevin (Hartley), Kate (Metz), and Randall (Brown), who are also known as “the Big Three.” Though the series is mainly rooted in the present day, the story unfolds across various timelines through the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards –– a signature of the show. The time jumps introduce major new characters and reveal surprising information that ultimately help fill in the blanks of the extended Pearson family tree.
Season 1 begins with a glimpse into the ’80s where you meet a young Jack, the hardworking husband and father every family aspires to have, and Rebecca, the loving wife and mother who runs the household. Both navigate the ups and downs of early parenthood raising triplets, while confronting their complicated pasts and facing their fears. In the present, you meet the Big Three as they turn 36; Kevin is a popular sitcom actor whose career implodes after an on-set meltdown; Kate attends a support group as she recommits to losing weight; and Randall finds his biological father who left him the day he was born.
As the This Is Us family tree grows, the world expands and other characters leave their mark on the Pearsons’ lives. The drama examines how the smallest life events and decisions profoundly shape who they eventually become and how the thinnest of connections can transcend time.
A show spanning multiple timelines is going to feature a lot of people, including actors who play the Big Three in different phases of life. Here’s a look at the This Is Us cast and who they portray:
Many famous faces cross paths with the Pearsons. Some of the memorable guest appearances include: Ron Howard, Katie Couric, John Legend, Phylicia Rashad, Jennifer Morrison, Seth Meyers, Sylvester Stallone, Katey Sagal, Brad Garrett, Denis O’Hare, Elizabeth Perkins, Jimmi Simpson, Alan Thicke, M. Night Shyamalan, Sophia Bush, Kate Burton, Debra Jo Rupp, Pamela Adlon, Omar Epps, Timothy Omundson, Carl Lumbly, Goran Visnjic, and Katie Lowes, among others.
A lot. This Is Us isn’t shy about going back and forth in time, though the crux of the narrative is set in the present when Kevin, Kate, and Randall are in their late 30s. Over six seasons, the series spends time in every decade –– from the ’40s to the ’70s when Jack and Rebecca’s love story is at its peak –– to the not-so-distant future.
If you ever need an assist on where we are in the show’s timeline, keeping an eye on Rebecca is usually a safe bet. Moore portrays the character from her mid-20s to her twilight years, utilizing some impressive age makeup.
If you’re strapped for time or just want to revisit some of the most memorable This Is Us moments, here are seven essential episodes to watch:
Season 1, Episode 1: “Pilot”
If you want the full This Is Us experience, you have to start from the beginning. A doozy of an episode with the first of many surprise endings, the pilot introduces Kevin, Kate, and Randall as they separately ring in their 36th birthdays. It’s only revealed in the final moments of the pilot that Randall, who was abandoned at the hospital Kevin and Kate were born in, was adopted by Jack and Rebecca after one of their triplets was stillborn.
Season 1, Episode 16: “Memphis”
A gut-wrenching hour that focuses on Randall’s relationship with his biological father, William, the episode is one of This Is Us’ best as they visit William’s hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Having only recently reconciled, Randall and William’s bittersweet reunion –– portrayed beautifully by Brown (who won an Emmy for the episode) and Jones –– ends on a heartbreaking note.
Season 2, Episode 14: “Super Bowl Sunday”
There’s no episode bigger than “Super Bowl Sunday,” which provides long-awaited answers to the mystery of Jack’s death. If you’ve seen the episode, you know how devastating it is to watch it all unfold. If you haven’t, well, have those tissues at the ready, and don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Season 3, Episode 18: “Her”
The Season 3 finale is another game changer, establishing a new future timeline as the Pearson clan gathers to a bedridden Rebecca’s side. The flash-forward raises many questions about her mental and physical state and the surprising dynamics amongst various family members, and it puts into stark focus just how little time they have left.
Season 4, Episode 1: “Strangers”
In a surprising creative choice, the fourth season opens by introducing a new set of characters who would later factor into the big picture in unpredictable ways. It also proves that This Is Us, which has never followed narrative conventions, largely marches to the beat of its own drum.
Season 5, Episodes 16: “The Adirondacks”
A lot goes down in the Season 5 finale, from broken vows to a crumbling marriage to a five-year time jump that sets up the final season. It’s an episode that offers just enough glimpses into the future to keep you guessing at what’s going to happen next.
Season 6, Episode 17: “The Train”
If you want a good cry, the series’ penultimate episode is it. Moore showcases her acting prowess in an emotional performance as Rebecca transitions from one stage of life to another, leading to a tearjerking reunion to close out the hour.
All six seasons of This Is Us are now streaming as of Jan. 8. Watch it with your loved ones, or enjoy the show solo — the Pearsons will be there for you no matter what.
