This Is Us: Full Cast, Characters, and Episode Guide

What Is ‘This Is Us’ and When Does It Air?

This Is Us is a character-driven NBC drama that follows the Pearson family across multiple timelines, exploring how early life events shape adult identities. The series premiered in 2016 and ran for six seasons, concluding in 2022. New episodes typically aired on Tuesdays at 9:00pm ET on NBC during the broadcast season. If you’re asking what time is this is us tonight, check your local NBC affiliate or use a TV listings tool for your specific market and cable provider, because start times can vary by region and by season.

Main Cast and Characters

Core Pearson Family Members

Key Supporting Characters by Actor

• Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson
• Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson
• Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson
• Justin Hartley as Kevin Pearson
• Chrissy Metz as Kate Pearson
• Josh Holloway as Toby Damon
• Susan Kelechi Watson as Beth Pearson
• Ron Cephas Jones as William Hill (Randall’s biological father)
• Courtney B. Vance as Dr. Bernard Gaines (Randall’s therapist)

Series Seasons and Narrative Structure

This Is Us uses a nonlinear structure, interweaving the 1980s origins of the Pearson parents with the adult lives of their three children. Each season focuses on specific milestones, traumas, and reconciliations, while maintaining an ongoing emotional throughline. The show is known for carefully planned multi-season arcs, so individual episode questions like what time is this is us tonight are best understood within the broader season-long story rather than as standalone events.

Where to Watch and Stream Episodes

Broadcast: New episodes originally aired on NBC on Tuesdays at predictable time slots during the season; exact local start times for what time is this is us tonight depend on your cable or satellite lineup and over-the-air antenna reception. Streaming: The series is available on Peacock (NBC’s streaming service) with full seasons and new episodes typically added shortly after broadcast. Select seasons may also appear on Netflix or Hulu depending on regional licensing, so check your platform for current availability and episode access. For precise timing in your area, consult TV listing sites or your service’s schedule.

Phenomenon and Cultural Impact

This Is Us became a cultural touchstone by centering intimate family stories and diverse representation. It consistently ranked among broadcast’s most-watched scripted series through much of its run and sparked widespread discussion about race, adoption, mental health, and grief. Rather than chasing short-term spikes, the show built a devoted audience by treating emotional truth as a long-form narrative priority, which is part of why questions about airing details—such as what time is this is us tonight—remain common years into its run.

Quick Comparison: Season Arcs at a Glance