The highly-anticipated new drama This is Us starts on M-Net this month. To prepare, we’ve brought you everything you need to know about this incredible show with our comprehensive A to Z.
Awards
This Is Us has already scooped up several awards and was nominated for three Golden Globes earlier this year, including Best TV Series – Drama. We’ll have to wait until September to see how it fares at the Emmys.
Birthday
The show’s story includes a focus on Jack and Rebecca, who are expecting triplets. On 31 August Kate and Kevin are born, but the third triplet is stillborn. Having prepared for three children, the new parents decide to adopt Randall, an abandoned baby born on the same day.
Chrissy Metz
She appeared in the fourth season of American Horror Story, but it’s Metz’s performance in This Is Us that’s really brought her to the fore. Playing Kate, the part has already nabbed her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film.
Dan Fogelman
The creator of the show, he’s also the writer of films such as Tangled and Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Family
Given the story and characters, it’s no surprise that family is a central theme of the show. From the excited, expected parents to sibling relations, many facets of this theme are addressed.
Getting Excited
If you can’t wait for the show to start and don’t want to miss a minute of the conversation, make sure you check the show page here and follow the conversation on social media using #thisisus101.
Helen Hunt
The Oscar-winning actress directed the tenth episode of the show.
Inspiration
Kate’s story is inspired by Dan Fogelman’s relationship with his sister.
Justin Hartley
You might recgonise Hartley from the third season of Revenge, but you’ll definitely recongise him after watching him as Kevin in This Is Us.
Kleenex
We call them tissues, but no matter what word you use, you’ll need them for this tear-jerking drama.
Love
Love for yourself. Love for family. Love for your work. It’s all there in This Is Us.
Mandy Moore
The singer-turned-actress got tongues wagging with her performance in the show. She’s already been nominated for a Golden Globe for This Is Us…is there an Emmy in her future?
No to Spoilers!
As you trawl through the Internet and social media, beware spoilers! It’s not exactly Game of Thrones, but it’s still annoying to read about story details and plot points before you’ve watched the episode. So be vigilant while you’re on the www.
Original Title
Before it was called This Is Us, the show was titled 36 – the age Kevin, Kate, and Randall turn in the first episode. We still think it’s a great title…even though it does remind us a bit of All Gold tomato sauce.
Past and Present
The show has different timelines, showing us the characters at different times of their lives. The years you’ll travel to are 1980, 1989 to 1995, and the present day.
Questions
The show addresses questions about various issues including life, love, body image, careers, and of course, family.
Renewed
This Is Us has already been renewed for a second and third season.
Sterling K. Brown
He’s already impressed audiences with his performance in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which won him an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Could he land another Emmy, for his performance as Randall in This Is Us?
Tune In
Make sure you don’t miss a single episode. This Is Us airs every Monday at 19:30 on M-Net, starting 29 May.
Unbelievable Line-Up
Monday nights won’t ever be the same. The start of the week is jam-packed with awesome shows. This Is Us is followed by the first season of The Good Fight at 20:30, the sixth season of Veep at 21:30, and the first season of American Gods at 22:00.
Milo Ventimiglia
The Heroes’ star plays Jack Pearson, husband to Rebecca and father to Kevin, Kate, and Randall. Wondering where else you recognise him from? Gilmore Girls, of course! You might be struggling to recongise him because of the facial fuzz he grew for This Is Us.
Writing
Creator Dan Fogelman wrote the first three episodes of the show and co-wrote a further four.
Super Bowl XIV
This is the event that was taking place while the triplets were being were conceived.
YouTube
The resource Mandy Moore used to research her role. As the heavily pregnant Rebecca, Moore watched endless childbirth videos to prepare.
Mario Lopez
Along with the late Alan Thicke and Seth Meyers, Lopez is one of several actors to appear as himself on the show.