Is This Is Us Returning in 2018
This Is Us entered its second season in fall 2017 and was renewed for a third season in early 2018, so new episodes did not "return" in 2018 midseason; instead season 2 continued in 2018 with its finale in March and season 3 premiered in September 2019. The show follows the Pearson family across timelines, with a deliberate annual break between season finales and premieres that results in roughly a year gap between seasons. Below we clarify the 2018 timeline and provide a durable reference for season status and renewal patterns.
2018 Season Status Timeline for This Is Us
Season 2 Finale and Interim Period
Season 2 aired from September 2017 to March 2018, concluding with a two-part finale. After the finale, NBC maintained the series in reruns but did not air new episodes in the spring or summer of 2018. This interim period created uncertainty for viewers expecting an earlier return. The network typically schedules summer repeats for established dramas, which can be mistaken for new episodes.
Renewal Announcement and Lead-up to Season 3
NBC renewed This Is Us for a third season in January 2018, well before the spring upfronts. However, production timelines and fall scheduling resulted in a gap of approximately 18 months before new episodes arrived. The network often aligns renewal announcements with upfronts in May, but early renewals for stable performers like This Is Us help secure talent and long-range planning.
Season 3 Premiere and Subsequent Pattern
Season 3 did not premiere until September 2019, confirming the year-plus interval between seasons. This pattern reflects the show's production cycle, cast availability, and the network's broader fall schedule strategy. The deliberate spacing aims to preserve story quality and maintain audience anticipation rather than airing back-to-back seasons.
Table: Key Dates and Events for This Is Us 2018–2019
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| March 2018 | Season 2 finale | Concludes the 2017–2018 season and establishes the interim break |
| January 2018 | Renewal announced | Signals network commitment and future season planning |
| Summer 2018 | Reruns air | May be mistaken for new episodes; no original content |
| September 2019 | Season 3 premiere | First new episodes after the interim period |
Understanding Renewal and Return Patterns
Network Renewal Timing
Networks typically renew established dramas within 1–3 months of a season finale. NBC's early renewal for This Is Us in January 2018 reduced cancellation risk but did not shorten the production and scheduling gap. Upfronts in May provide a public window for announcements, yet decisions can occur earlier based on performance metrics and talent commitments.
Production and Scheduling Considerations
Principal photography for a season of this scale generally spans 6–9 months, with actors and crews booked well in advance. Writers' rooms begin outlining months before filming, and broadcast dates align with the traditional fall season to maximize live viewing and advertising revenue. These factors contribute to the year-plus intervals between seasons observed in This Is Us's timeline.
How to Track Future Returns and Status
Official Channels and Reliable Sources
For accurate updates on This Is Us or similar dramas, prioritize NBC official announcements, the network's press site, and verified entertainment reporters. Avoid speculative headlines and social media rumors, which can misrepresent renewal intentions or production progress. Direct sources include NBC.com, the network's press room, and trusted entertainment news outlets with established track records.
Practical Steps for Viewers
- Bookmark NBC's official schedule page and check for upfront announcements in May.
- Set notifications for trusted entertainment outlets that report renewals and premiere dates.
- Use streaming platforms to continue with existing seasons during interim periods, rather than expecting new episodes.
Comparison with Other Seasoned Dramas
Several multi-season dramas adopt similar year-gap patterns to balance production demands and audience engagement. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize This Is Us's schedule within the broader television landscape.
Table: Intervals Between Seasons for Select NBC Dramas
| Series | Season 1 to Season 2 | Season 2 to Season 3 | Typical Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| This Is Us | ~9 months (Feb 2017–Nov 2017) | ~18 months (Mar 2018–Sep 2019) | Annual or near-annual breaks |
| Law & Order: Organized Crime | ~9 months (Apr 2021–Jan 2022) | ~9 months (Jan 2022–Sep 2022) | Standard fall scheduling |
| New Amsterdam | ~8 months (Sep 2018–May 2019) | ~7 months (Sep 2019–Apr 2020 | Consistent fall returns |
Summary and Key Takeaways
This Is Us did not return with new episodes in 2018 after its season 2 finale in March; renewal was announced in January 2018, and season 3 premiered in September 209. The year-plus gap reflects production cycles and network scheduling norms rather than cancellation or unusual delays. Going forward, viewers can rely on official NBC announcements in the spring and established seasonal patterns to anticipate future returns.