It’s hard to accept that the episodes we’re watching of This Is Usthey are among the last of the series. Creator Dan Fogelman’s plan has always been to wrap up all of the Pearson family’s mysteries in six seasons, but now that the end of the hit NBC drama is actually upon us, viewers are begging for the time-jumping, plot-twisting series to be extended in some way. Fogelman’s thoughts about a spinoff at this point, however, might not be what fans are hoping to hear.
This Is Us’ sixth and final season has begun, with Dan Fogelman’s focus remaining on writing his final scripts, but with the expansive world he’s created for the main characters – branching out to different parts of the country across multiple timelines – it’s no surprise he’s fielding questions about spinoffs multiple times a day, as he told Variety. While he confirmed those conversations have taken place, he doesn’t see it happening, at least not now.
Once you’ve seen the completion of Season 6, the stories of these characters are told. Because you know everything, there isn’t really a spinoff. Is there another show for this show? I guess you’d never say never, but I don’t see it. It’s personal to me, and I don’t see myself picking this thing back up.
Obviously that’s not good news for fans who were hoping to get more out of the Pearsons’ story sooner rather than later. But Fogelman did promise to wrap up all the stories before the show leaves the airwaves for the last time, and honestly, I think fans want to feel that closure, like there’s nothing left that we don’t know.
You can never know what the future holds, as the creator stated. Just because Dan Fogelman doesn’t see himself revisiting this world doesn’t mean he won’t be inspired by something down the road, or that one of the show’s other creative minds won’t see value in expanding the story of one of This Is Us’ myriad characters in the future.
If there’s a movement to keep the This Is Us universe at some point, and Dan Fogelman isn’t involved, we might have to count out one of the Big Three. Sterling K. Brown has expressed that he’s excited about exploring other roles and, in fact, has already landed his first post-This Is Us gig. Brown stated that Randall Pearson’s retaliation would have been worth his while if Fogelman was behind it.
Justin Hartley, meanwhile, seemed more on board with the idea of keeping Kevin Pearson going, if only because he’s enjoyed working with his on-screen family so much. Hartley even floated the idea for a trilogy of movies.
If Dan Fogelman ever changed his mind, there’s definitely enough material to base a spinoff series on. While This Is UsThis will show us the lives of Jack and Rebecca Pearson. Kevin, Kate, Randall, and Kate Pearson would all be great as stars in their own series. Randall’s daughters or Kate’s rock star son? I’d watch that in a second, and I bet I’m not alone.
For now, though, we’re only promised the rest of Season 6, so let’s just enjoy it while we can. This Is UsTuesdays at 9 p.m. NBC. Check out the 2022 TV Schedule for more premieres.