Status summary: is This Is Us really cancelled
This Is Us was cancelled by NBC after six seasons and concluded with a final season and series finale in 2022. The show did not get unexpectedly renewed, revived, or abruptly pulled midstream; the cancellation was announced ahead of the sixth season, and production wrapped with a planned finale. Below we clarify the timeline, cast outcomes, and what changed after cancellation, using verified network announcements and production records instead of rumors or speculation.
Timeline of cancellation and series conclusion
Season 5 and the first cancellation notice
In early 2020, NBC renewed This Is Us for a fifth season, but by that summer the network confirmed the cancellation of the show after season 5. Production had already begun on season 5, and the announcement clarified that the ordered episodes would air as a shortened season. The fifth season concluded in March 2021, leaving major storylines to be addressed in a potential return. No renewal announcement followed for season 6 at that time, leading to widespread speculation about the show’s future.
Season 6 order, finale date, and final status
In June 2020, NBC reversed course and renewed This Is Us for a sixth and final season, committing to a full season order. The sixth season premiered in 2022 and served as the series conclusion, delivering a two-hour finale that resolved the core timelines and family arcs. Network press releases, cast interviews, and production records confirm that this was a planned, finite final season rather than an abrupt cancellation midstream. After the finale, the show ended its run with no further seasons or continuation announced.
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Early 2020 | Renewed for season 5 | Continued production amid uncertainty |
| Summer 2020 | Cancellation announced after season 5 | Spurred fan questions about future |
| June 2020 | Renewed for season 6 (final season) | Reversal that provided a planned conclusion |
| March 2021 | Season 5 finale aired | Narrative cliffhangers ahead of season 6 |
| June 2022 | Season 6 premiere and finale | Series conclusion and closure |
Cast outcomes and what happened to the main ensemble
After the cancellation, the core cast members pursued different projects while acknowledging the show’s planned wrap. Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, Josh Gad, and others completed season 6 and participated in the finale, marking the end of their regular series commitments. Several actors moved into film, limited series, stage work, or renewed/restarted projects, but the ensemble largely transitioned out together after the final season. No subsequent This Is Us episodes or spin-offs have been produced since the finale.
Notable cast moves after the series ended
- Milo Ventimiglia took leading roles in the film Break and dramatic series The Wonder Years reboot.
- Mandy Moore pursued music projects, film roles, and the animated series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.
- Justin Hartley joined Fox’s monarch drama Monarch and other limited projects.
- Chrissy Metz expanded into film and published memoirs while continuing vocal advocacy work.
- Josh Gad focused on film and produced projects, including voicing roles in animation.
What the cancellation actually meant for the story
Cancellations can truncate ongoing plots or alter planned arcs, but for This Is Us the sixth season functioned as a designed series finale. NBC’s initial cancellation after season 5 created uncertainty, yet the swift renewal for a shortened sixth season allowed the writers to craft a conclusion. Interviews from the production team confirm the goal was to end the family saga with closure, resolving the Pearson family timelines and major character journeys. Viewers who stopped after season 5 missed the planned resolution that the finale delivered.
Debunking common rumors about revival or continuation
Following the cancellation announcement, rumors circulated about spin-offs, movie deals, or surprise renewals; none materialized. NBC, Sony Pictures Television, and the cast have not indicated any ongoing This Is Us branded series or limited series beyond the aired finale. Streaming performance and retrospective interviews have focused on the existing six-season run rather than new installments. When a show is cancelled and then renewed for a final season, the industry often conflates closure with continuation, but in this case the conclusion was always intended as the end of the core narrative.
What to watch and listen to next
For viewers who loved the emotional family dynamics and timeline storytelling of This Is Us, several series explore similar themes of memory, identity, and generational drama. Limited series and prestige dramas with planned arcs often provide satisfying conclusions in a comparable tone. If you seek more NBC ensemble dramas or creator-driven family stories, curated lists and critics’ recommendations can guide you toward enduring, finite series that match the emotional payoff This Is Us delivered in its finale.
Key takeaways
This Is Us was cancelled after season 5 but was renewed for a sixth and final season, producing a planned conclusion in 2022. No ongoing seasons, revivals, or spin-offs have followed. The main cast completed the finale and moved on to new projects, and existing streaming availability remains the primary way to experience the full story. Understanding the difference between midseason cancellation threats and a final-season conclusion helps contextualize the show’s end and separates verified outcomes from persistent rumors.