This Is Us fans, we have some good news for you: The Pearson family drama is officially returning to NBC for at least the next three years, the network announced on Sunday (May 12). This means the show will, at minimum, run for a total of six heart-wrenching seasons, so you better start buying your tissues in bulk.
“In a television landscape with nearly 500 original scripted series, there are very few, if any, that have the critical and cultural impact of This Is Us, and we couldn’t be more proud to bring fans three more seasons of a show that so well represents the NBC brand,” Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, Presidents of Scripted Programming, NBC Entertainment, shared in a statement on Sunday. “A huge thank you and congratulations to our executive producers, cast, and crew who reach new heights every week with the show’s inventive and compelling storytelling.”
Of course, it’s no huge surprise the series would get such resounding support from the network. After all, it’s continuously been one of NBC’s highest-rated shows, and it’s won more than a few awards. This Is Us‘ trophy collection to date includes two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, three Emmys; and three AFI Awards for Program of the Year.
Of course, NBC execs weren’t the only ones celebrating the wonderful news of the show’s renewal. Following the announcement, series creator Dan Fogelman tweeted, “Three years ago, we were live tweeting the premiere of our TV show, hoping someone, anyone might watch…Today our friends at @nbc picked up #ThisIsUs for THREE more seasons, bringing us to six.”
In a second tweet, Fogelman added, “It is an amazing show of support, and it due to the hard work of the 300+ talented, kind people who have devoted the last three years of their professional lives to our show.”
He even poked fun at Jon Huertas’ character Miguel saying, “It’s also due to our impassioned, dedicated fans. Some days you guys hate Miguel, some days you guys love Miguel, but we ALWAYS love you. Except for Miguel, who takes it day by day. Congratulations to all involved. We can’t wait to get back to work.”
As for what’s next for the Pearson family, we’ll just have to wait and see: Season four of the show isn’t expected to drop until the fall. However, the show did leave us with a few hints at the end of season three—and a new trailer has just dropped to give us a preview of what’s come since then.
As series star Mandy Moore wrote on her Instagram post with the trailer, “We are all BEYOND excited to share the good news that we have been renewed for 3 MORE SEASONS! Obviously that means we have a lot more laughing, crying, healing, growing and more to do together. None of this would be possible without your unwavering support from episode 1 and our entire TIU family is unbelievably grateful. So buckle up, we’re just getting started!! #thisisus”
There’s a lot of ground to cover over the next couple of seasons, and for fans wishing the show would just keep going forever, there is some consolation. As NBC Entertainment co-chairman Paul Telegdy told reporters on Sunday, “We are keeping it open for right now.” So if the ratings are still great, and the cast wants to do another season, well…it doesn’t seem out of the question.
In the meantime, here’s to the Pearsons—we can’t wait to have them back.
