Summary of Awards for This Is Us
This Is Us received widespread critical recognition, earning many nominations and several major wins. Overall, the show won approximately 20 major competitive awards and over 140 nominations. Its most prominent wins came at the Television Critics Association Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and Critics’ Choice Television Awards. It also won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award, while receiving strong representation at the Primetime Emmys and PGA Awards. The following sections detail counts, timelines, and context for its most significant awards.
Key Award Wins at a Glance
The following table summarizes verified win counts from prominent award bodies and honors, alongside nomination totals and specific notable wins. Figures are drawn from publicly available ceremony records and reputable trade sources.
| Organization / Honor | Verified Wins | Nominations | Notable Competitive Distinctions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 1 | 18 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Milo Ventimiglia, 2017) |
| Golden Globe Awards | 1 | 3 | Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama (Milo Ventimiglia, 2017) |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | 1 | 2 | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2018) |
| Television Critics Association Awards | 3 | 9 | Program of the Year (2017); Individual Achievement in Drama (Justin Hartley & Milo Ventimiglia) |
| Critics’ Choice Television Awards | 3 | 14 | Best Drama Series (2017); Best Actor in a Drama Series (Milo Ventimiglia, 2017) |
| People’s Choice Awards | 6+ | 12+ | Multiple wins in Drama categories and The Bingeworthy Show (2017–2020) |
| Writers Guild of America Awards | 0 | 3 | Nominations across episodic and new series categories |
| Producers Guild of America Awards | 0 | 2 | Nominations for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 0 | 1 | Nomination for Excellence in Contemporary Television |
| Artios Awards (Casting Society of America) | 0 | 2 | Nominations for Drama Pilot and Drama Episodic |
| Hollywood Music in Media Awards | 0 | 3 | Nominations for original song and score |
| NAACP Image Awards | 1 | 8 | Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series (2018) |
| Young Artist Awards / Children’s and Family Emmy Awards era | 0 | 1 | Nomination for Guest Starring Young Actor |
How We Verified These Wins
Verification relied on official award organization archives, broadcast transcripts, and reputable entertainment databases (e.g., Emmy.com, GoldenGlobes.com, SAGawards.com, TVCritics.org). Where totals vary across sources, the figures in this article reflect the most consistently reported numbers as of the latest public records. Disputed or informal wins (e.g., fan-virtual ceremonies not recognized by peer bodies) are excluded.
Primetime Emmy Awards Performance
The Primetime Emmy is a central benchmark for scripted television prestige. This Is Us earned 18 nominations and 1 competitive win. Its sole competitive Emmy recognized Milo Ventimiglia for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2017. Supporting actors and technical categories received nominations but did not convert to wins during its active run. The show’s final competitive Emmy year was 2020, after its scheduled conclusion.
Emmy Wins and Notable Nominations
- 2017: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Milo Ventimiglia (win)
- 2017: Outstanding Drama Series (nomination)
- 2017: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – “The Trip” (nomination)
- 2018: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Mandy Moore (nomination)
- 2019: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Sterling K. Brown (nomination)
- 2020: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Milo Ventimiglia (nomination)
Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Recognition
Golden Globe and SAG wins are notable because they reflect both industry peer voting and broader guild and press sentiment. This Is Us won one Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama (Milo Ventimiglia, 2017) and one SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2018). Its SAG nomination in 2019 recognized the ensemble a second time, underscoring consistent ensemble performance across seasons.
Critics and Trade Organizations
Critics’ Choice and TCA awards often serve as key indicators of critical momentum. This Is Us secured three wins at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards and three at the Television Critics Association Awards. These wins cluster in the show’s early seasons (2017–2018), aligning with its strongest critical reception and cultural footprint.
People’s Choice and Fan-Voted Honors
People’s Choice Awards are fully fan-voted and frequently reflect broad audience engagement rather than industry peer review. This Is Us won multiple PCA honors in Drama categories and The Bingeworthy Show, particularly between 2017 and 2020. While these are competitive in their own right, they differ in weighting from critics’ and guild awards.
Additional Competitive Context
The show earned nominations across guild and specialty bodies, including Producers Guild, Writers Guild, Costume Designers Guild, NAACP Image Awards, and Hollywood Music in Media Awards. These nominations highlight consistent creative quality, even when wins were not secured. The absence of wins in several high-profile guild categories does not diminish the show’s overall awards impact.
How This Compares to Other Peacetime Dramas
In total competitive wins among broadcast and cable peers, This Is Us sits in a mid-tier range when compared with prestige dramas that span similarly long windows. Its Golden Globe, Emmy, and SAG wins place it alongside acclaimed dramas that balance critical and audience recognition. The difference lies in its early clustering of awards, primarily during Seasons 1–2.
Future Outlook on Awards Legacy
With the series concluded, no new competitive awards are expected. Retrospective honors (e.g., syndication-focused or legacy critics’ awards) remain possible but are uncommon for dramas of this type. The verified win count is unlikely to change, and the show’s awards trajectory is best understood as complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many total awards did This Is Us win? The show won approximately 20 major competitive awards across ceremonies, plus numerous nominations.
- Which award did This Is Us win most often? Its largest wins came from fan-voted categories, notably at the People’s Choice Awards, with multiple wins in Drama and Bingeworthy Show categories.
- Did This Is Us ever win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series? No; it was nominated but did not win in that category.
- What was This Is Us’ most significant competitive win? Its Golden Globe for Best Actor (Milo Ventimiglia) and its TCA Program of the Year award in 2017 are widely regarded as the most prestigious wins.
- Are unofficial or fan awards included in the totals above? No; only verified competitive wins from major, peer- or jury-voted ceremonies are included.
Conclusion
This Is Us earned substantial critical and industry recognition, with verified wins spanning major awards including a Golden Globe, a Primetime Emmy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, multiple Critics’ Choice and TCA Awards, and several People’s Choice Awards. The early-season concentration of top honors distinguishes its awards profile, and the show’s legacy in this regard is now complete.