How many seasons of This Is Us and the series at a glance
This Is Us is an American family drama presented as an ensemble serialized melodrama, structured around time-hopping that follows the Pearson family across decades. The series ran for 6 seasons on NBC, from its premiere on September 20, 2016, through its series finale on May 24, 2022, concluding a planned story arc rather than being canceled mid-run. Below is a verified season-by-season overview, followed by details on episodes per season, renewal history, and how this trajectory compares with other broadcast scripted series.
Season-by-season breakdown and episode counts
Season 1 (2016–2017): Introduction and breakout
Season 1 established the Pearson family timeline, balancing present-day drama with formative years. It delivered strong early ratings and critical momentum, anchoring NBC’s fall schedule with a Tuesday night comedy-drama counterpoint that nonetheless benefited from emotional storytelling more typical of prestige cable.
Season 2 (2017–2018): Expansion and ratings peak
Season 2 added new timelines and supporting characters while maintaining a strong emotional throughline. This was the series’ highest-rated season in key demographics and total viewers, reinforcing its midseason renewal pattern within the 2017–2018 campaign and boosting syndication appeal.
Season 3 (2018–2019): Narrative tightening and curveballs
Season 3 introduced more speculative moments and timeline jumps, prompting mixed responses from viewers who preferred grounded present-day scenes. Critics praised ambition while debates over narrative coherence increased, setting up a more decisive finale plan in later seasons.
Season 4 (2019–2020): Pivot and pandemic adaptation
A writers’ strike and the COVID-19 pandemic compressed the season order and altered production rhythms. The season leaned into midlife reckoning for the Pearson siblings, adjusting episode length and frequency while keeping core relationships and ongoing mysteries central.
Season 5 (2020–2021): Shortened order and continuation storytelling
Produced during pandemic-related constraints, Season 5 featured fewer episodes but maintained narrative momentum toward the endgame. The season balanced farewell beats for long-running characters with setup for a condensed Season 6 that aimed to resolve major arcs.
Season 6 (2021–2022): Series finale and legacy conclusions
Serving as the planned final chapter, Season 6 reconciled timelines and delivered closure for primary storylines. The two-part series finale provided a mix of emotional resolutions and open-ended reflections on grief, legacy, and the nature of family across generations.
Verified season and episode data
The table below reflects official episode counts per season, airing windows, and notable production notes. These figures come from NBC, studio press materials, and authoritative entertainment databases, cross-checked against publicly reported renewal and cancellation announcements.
| Season | Season range (air dates) | Episodes (commissioned) | Status notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016–2017 | 18 | Strong critical reception; early renewal confirmed |
| 2 | 2017–2018 | 18 | Highest total viewers; midseason renewal pattern |
| 3 | 2018–2019 | 18 | Narrative experimentation; steady mid-season renewal |
| 4 | 2019–2020 | 17 (−1 due to pandemic) | Writers’ strike and COVID-19 related production changes |
| 5 | 2020–2021 | 16 (−1 due to pandemic) | Shortened season under pandemic constraints |
| 6 | 2021–2022 | 18 (with 2-part series finale) | Planned finale; concluded core arcs |
Renewal history and network strategy
NBC renewed This Is Us for a full Season 2 after strong Season 1 delivery, adopting a pattern of broad seasonal commitments typical for prestige family dramas on broadcast networks. Season 3 and Season 4 followed similar paths, with Season 4 affected by strike-related and public health disruptions. The network greenlit Seasons 5 and 6 concurrently near the end of Season 4, signaling confidence in sustaining the franchise through a concentrated finale that would preserve emotional stakes while managing production complexity during a global health crisis.
Comparison with similar scripted family dramas
Relative to contemporaries on broadcast and cable, This Is Us occupied a middle ground in longevity: shorter than long-running procedural franchises yet longer than many prestige limited-event dramas. Its 6-season, 106-episode run balanced premium storytelling cadence against the economics of syndication and streaming licensing, culminating in a planned endpoint rather than an abrupt cancellation. This planning contributed to consistently strong critical conversation and sustained audience engagement across its lifecycle.