<P> On September 27, 2016, NBC picked up the series for a full season of 18 episodes . In January 2017, NBC renewed the series for two additional seasons of 18 episodes each . The second season premiered on September 26, 2017 . </P> <P> The series follows the lives of siblings Kevin, Kate, and Randall (known as the "Big Three"), and their parents Jack and Rebecca Pearson . It takes place in the present and using flashbacks, at various times in the past . Kevin and Kate are the two surviving members of a triplet pregnancy, born six weeks premature on Jack's 36th birthday in 1980; their brother is stillborn . Believing they were meant to have three children, Jack and Rebecca, who are white, decide to adopt Randall, a black child born the same day and brought to the same hospital after his biological father abandoned him at a fire station . Jack dies when his children are 17 . </P> <P> Most episodes feature a storyline taking place in the present (2016--2018, contemporaneous with airing) and a storyline taking place at a set time in the past; but some episodes are set in one time period or use multiple flashback time periods . Flashbacks often focus on Jack and Rebecca c. 1980 both before and after their babies' birth, or on the family when the Big Three are children (at least ages 8--10) or adolescents; these scenes usually take place in Pittsburgh, where the Big Three are born and raised . Various other time periods and locations have also served a settings . As adults, Kate lives in Los Angeles, Randall and his family are in New Jersey, and Kevin relocates from Los Angeles to New York City . </P> <P> Fogelman intentionally recruited behind - the - scenes talent that would reflect the diversity of his cast, with the goal of bringing greater authenticity to the dialog and storylines . These include black directors Regina King and George Tillman, Jr. and black female writers Kay Oyegun and Jas Waters (part of a 30% black core writing staff that far outpaces the industry standard of 5%). In addition, Fogelman's sister Deborah, whose struggles with weight were one of the initial inspirations for the show, serves as a consultant . </P>

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