This Is Us Season 6: Release Date, Cast, And New Details

"This Is Us" has been one of television's most captivating and heartwarming dramas since its premiere in 2016. The show follows the lives of the Pearson siblings, Kevin, Kate, and Randall, known as the "Big Three" by their parents, per Rotten Tomatoes. The story shows the lives of the Pearson family in the present day and adds context to the story by showing flashbacks of their lives (via Vulture). The show has even revealed flash-forward scenes to give viewers a sneak peek at what lies ahead for the family.

In May 2021, NBC announced that Season 6 of the show would be its last. "I think the [audience will] feel that bittersweet feeling that I think a lot of the episodes leave you with," actress Chrissy Metz teased told Us Weekly in July. "I think they will feel like a sense of closure and some bittersweet memories." Of course, fans still have a lot of unanswered questions about "This Is Us," leading up to the final episodes, which the series will hopefully answer during Season 6.

This Is Us Season 6 will premiere in early 2022

Fans of "This Is Us" have been waiting what seems like forever to watch Season 6 of the series. After NBC revealed that Season 6 would be the curtain call for the fan-favorite TV drama, viewers were immediately saddened yet intrigued by what could be in store for the beloved Pearson family. Fans are also dying to know how the show will end and if the series finale will offer a sense of closure for the characters.

While the wait has been a long one, "This Is Us" fans will officially watch the beginning of the end when Season 6 premieres on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, on NBC at 9 p.m. ET (via Us Weekly). Be sure to hit the record button on your DVR, grab your favorite snacks, and don't forget the tissues because the show is likely to have you in tears from start to finish as it wraps up the story of the Pearson family.

Which cast members are returning for the final season?

"This Is Us" Season 6 will bring back all of the core cast members including Milo Ventimiglia (Jack Pearson), Mandy Moore (Rebecca Pearson), Sterling K. Brown (Randall Pearson), Chrissy Metz (Kate Pearson), Justin Hartley (Kevin Pearson), Susan Kelechi Watson (Beth Pearson), Chris Sullivan (Toby Damon), and Jon Huertas (Miguel Rivas), per People Magazine.

In addition, actor Griffin Dune (Nicky) Caitlin Thompson (Madison), Eris Baker (Tess), Faithe Herman (Annie), Lyric Ross (Deja), Asante Blackk (Malik), and Chris Geere (Philip) are also expected to return for the final season of the show. Fans will also get to see more of Kate and Toby's son, Jack, (Blake Stadnik), who has been seen in flash-forward scenes during his adult life. Fan-favorite actor Alexandra Breckenridge (Virgin River) has also teased a return to reprise her character, Sophie, the ex-wife of Kevin, when she spoke with Entertainment Weekly back in July. However, she admitted that there have been scheduling conflicts for her in the past.

Could there be a This Is Us spin-off in the future?

"This Is Us" fans will get 18 episodes in the final season, per People Magazine. The cast has teased that there will be another trilogy of episodes that focus on the Big Three and an episode that features the death of Jack's mother. Season 6 is also expected to air without scheduling interruptions, which means that the series finale will likely air on May 3, 2022.

The cast members have also been giving fans some hints about how the show ends, revealing using words like "sad" and "beautiful" to describe the finale. The show's creator, Dan Fogelman, has been very quiet about what's in store for the Pearson family. However, he did reveal that he hopes to answer all of the viewers' questions by the finale. "My hope is that by the end of the series, there is no stone left unturned," he told Entertainment Weekly. "You would have nothing left to ask me about spoilers. 

Fogelman also spoke out about the possibility of a spin-off, as talk of a new show featuring characters like Madison or Malik could be in the cards. Fogelman revealed that there are no plans at the current moment to continue the stories of any of the characters, however, he's not ruling it out for the future. While fans don't know what's in store just yet, it's sure to be an emotional rollercoaster as viewers watch the "This Is Us" Season 6 play out.