Current status of a season 4
There will not be a season 4 of This Is Us because the series was designed to run for six seasons and concluded with its sixth and final season in 2022. NBC renewed the drama through season 6 in 2019, ending any open questions about a potential season 4 or further continuation. If you are wondering whether new episodes or a spinoff will arrive under the same banner, the show has completed its planned story arc and will not continue beyond season 6.
Renewal history and network decisions
This Is Us received strong viewership and cultural attention, which led to multiple renewals that extended its run but did not guarantee an open-ended future. Understanding the renewal history helps explain why there is no season 4 and why the producers concluded the series after season 6.
- Season 1: Renewed for season 2 after strong early ratings and critical praise for its emotional storytelling.
- Season 2: Renewed for seasons 3 and 4 simultaneously in 2017, signaling network confidence but not an indefinite order.
- Season 3: Renewed for season 4 in 2019, coupled with a two-season renewal that explicitly outlined up to season 6.
- Season 4: Aired in 2020; renewal cycle shifted toward planning an eventual series finale by season 6.
- Season 5 and 6: Final renewal in 2019 covered both seasons, confirming the finale would conclude the core Pearson family narrative.
Key renewal milestones at a glance
| Season | Renewal decision | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1 → 2 | Renewed after season 1 (2017) | Continued for a second season |
| 2 → 3/4 | Renewed for two more seasons (early 2017) | Extended trajectory without a standalone ‘season 4’ label |
| 3 → 4/5/6 | Renewed for three more seasons (2019) | Planned run through season 6 as the conclusion |
| 4 → 5/6 | Included in the 2019 three-season renewal | Aired as part of the planned finale arc |
| 5 → 6 | Final renewal in 2019 for season 6 | Series finale aired in 2022 |
Why the show ended after season 6
The decision to end after season 6 was rooted in the creators’ intention to tell a compact, emotionally focused story about the Pearson family without overstaying the premise. Interviews from 2019 and 2020 indicate that the writers mapped out the narrative through season 6 to resolve major character arcs, including Jack’s absence, the children’s adulthood milestones, and Kevin, Kate, and Randall’s ongoing journeys. NBC supported this plan, confirming that season 6 would be the final chapter.
What happened after the season 6 finale
After the series finale in 2022, attention shifted toward retrospective coverage, cast projects, and the broader cultural impact of the show. There have been no official announcements of a season 4, season 7, or a direct continuation under the same title. Discussion of future projects has centered on potential spinoffs that explore supporting characters, but none have moved forward to production. The absence of a season 4 is therefore definitive within the main series continuity.
Common questions about a season 4
Because the series ran for multiple seasons with overlapping renewals, some viewers have questions about where a season 4 would have fit and why it never materialized. Addressing these points clarifies the show’s timeline and underscores that the creative and network plan was always to conclude the core story in season 6.
- Was a season 4 ever ordered separately? No; season 4 was part of the broader three-season renewal decided in 2019.
- Could there be a season 4 if the show changes formats? That would require a new agreement, cast involvement, and network approval, and no such plans are currently in place.
- Are there plans to continue the story elsewhere? Executives have emphasized completing the narrative in season 6, with any future projects likely taking the form of limited series or spinoffs rather than a direct season 4.
Frequently asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Was season 4 ever planned as a separate block? | No, season 4 was always positioned as part of the ongoing three-season renewal through season 6. |
| Did cast departures affect plans for a season 4? | The plan to end at season 6 was established before any major cast exits, so it was not a direct cause. |
| Will there be a spinoff that continues the Pearson story? | Several ideas have been discussed, but nothing has been officially greenlit as of 2024. |
| When did the show officially announce the season 6 finale as the series end? | NBC and producers confirmed the finale would conclude the series in advance of season 6’s production. |
Comparisons with other broadcast dramas
Unlike open-ended dramas that frequently renew without a predetermined endpoint, This Is Us was planned from later seasons onward to culminate in a defined series finale. This approach contrasts with shows that extend indefinitely or shift to streaming models. Understanding this context explains why the narrative was always intended to wrap up by season 6 and why there is no season 4.
Definitive timeline of key events
Key dates clarify how the show progressed from early renewals to its planned and executed conclusion.
| Date | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| March 2017 | Renewed for seasons 3 and 4 (two-season order) | Established a clear path through at least season 4 at that time. |
| May 2019 | Renewed for seasons 5 and 6, confirming season 6 as the finale | Shifted focus to ending the core story rather than extending indefinitely. |
| March 2020 | Season 4 aired as part of the ongoing three-season renewal cycle | Viewers saw season 4, but it was never a standalone order separate from the larger plan. |
| May 2022 | Season 6 finale aired | Marked the official conclusion of the series. |
Key takeaways
- There is no season 4 because the series was always planned to conclude at season 6.
- The 2019 renewal explicitly covered seasons 5 and 6 as the final chapter.
- No current or announced plans exist for a season 4 or a continuation under the same title.
- Any future Pearson stories would likely appear as limited series or spinoffs, not a traditional season 4.
Tags
This Is Us, season 4, renewal, series finale, NBC