This Is Us recently came to an end after a six season run on NBC. Fans of the show loved it for its emotional storylines and relatable characters, with nearly everyone wanting to marry a Jack Pearson of their own.
Despite the show being addictive from the very first twist at the end of the pilot episode, not every character was an instant fan favorite. Some of the Pearsons were an acquired taste, but by the end of the series had become the best characters on the show. For example, Kevin and Rebecca didn't have a lot of viewers' hearts in the first couple of seasons, but were the sole reason to continue watching the show by the end.
Toby Damon
Toby Damon was a divisive character since the very first episode. His dry humor and self-deprecating jokes made him the odd one out of the Pearson bunch, but he quickly proved his worth as a good man and Kate's eventual husband. Throughout the series it seemed as though he regressed, and became so unbearable that he and Kate decided to end their marriage.
However, some fans still remain strictly #TeamToby, refusing to accept Kate's secondary love story. Redditor n_kaye spoke highly of Kate's first husband and praised him for his candid struggles with weight loss and mental health, "Toby has always been the jokester/ham/one you could count on for a laugh and I think it’s so important that the show reminds us that even those who seem to have it together need help."
Kate Pearson
Kate Pearson often got the short end of the stick in terms of storylines compared to her two siblings, but slowly came into her own as the series went on. She showed her growth as a mother and an educator, and she even displayed her strength as Rebecca's POA after Miguel's passing.
Reddit user MaterialSlide3207 shouted out Kate's last "Big Three" centric episode in the final season as a turning point in Kate's development, "The amount of growth she's done throughout the show has been amazing. This episode (The Hill) gave me goosebumps."
Jack Pearson
For much of the first and second season of This Is Us, Jack Pearson was placed on a pedestal as the show's main character and the best fictional dad television had ever seen. Even with his flaws, it was impossible for fans not to swoon over the Pearson patriarch, and shed many tears at his death.
A Reddit user explained why they found Jack to be the best character on the show, "I think Jack is our most developed character. I'm not in love with him the way I was in the beginning, but he feels like a real person, with so many layers. I understand why he acted the way he did."
Madison Simons
Madison started the show as the annoying girl in Kate and Toby's weight loss support group, but she proved herself as a loyal friend and an important character, even becoming the mother of Kevin's children and an integral part of the Pearson family.
Redditor iamabonsaitree made an argument for why Madison deserves more recognition as a great character, "On the surface, she’s that typical white girl that loves brunch and is super bubbly. And it’s safe to say at first glance that she’s annoying and probably not gonna be a significant character. But then with just a couple scenes you realize that she’s actually a bad ass who is so honest and genuine and ferociously loyal to Kate and their friendship."
Miguel Rivas
At first glance, Miguel seemed like a traitorous best friend when he was revealed that he was married to Rebecca in the present-day. However, several seasons of loyalty to the Pearsons and a knock-out-of-the-park centric episode later proved that he was actually one of the best, well-rounded characters on This Is Us.
Reddit user Cincyme333 praised Miguel's personality and kindness, "He's everything you want as a friend, and he doesn't try to replace Jack as a father, but he's there with good advice when it's needed." Miguel was a supportive, loving husband and stepfather until the bitter end.
Randall Pearson
Randall Pearson had some of the biggest storylines throughout This Is Us, from his journey of self-discovery as he developed a relationship with his biological father, to adopting a child of his own to eventually running for office to make the world a better place. Randall was a role model for anyone watching the show, especially because he was able to recognize his flaws.
Redditor 8danfitz8 commented that Randall was the character they found themselves enjoying the most, "I love how he handles his struggles, and I love his big heart hidden behind this nerdy and somewhat awkward demeanor."
Kevin Pearson
Kevin Pearson had a lot of growing up to do on This Is Us. He was often times selfish and self-pitying, but as he gained more life experience he realized the man he needed to become. His character arc led him on a journey of discovering the things he wanted out of life, which included a family and an epic love story. Kevin strived to be the man his father was for his whole life, finally achieving this goal by the end of the series.
Reddit user jacobnyr wrote why they loved Kevin so much by saying, "By far the greatest character growth on the show. Truly Jack Pearson’s son."
Rebecca Pearson
Rebecca Pearson seemed to take a backseat to her husband Jack's legacy in the earlier seasons of This Is Us, however, as the show went on it became increasingly clear that she was, in fact, the main character of the series all along. Rebecca's character development through several decades showed a woman who had gone through the highest highs and lowest lows, and never let anything fully break her.
Redditor BrocksDad-IsAPOS explained why they grew to appreciate the Pearson matriarch, "I didn’t like Rebecca at the beginning. I understood her decisions and sympathized with her, but I didn’t like her. But after a rewatch and this season, I am just in awe of how well she managed and did the best for her kids. And Mandy put everything into that role and portrayed every age amazingly."
Nicky Pearson
Nicky Pearson was presumed dead for much of the earlier seasons, only for a plot twist to reveal he never died in Vietnam. Kevin sought out his uncle and made him a part of the family, despite Nicky's initial wishes. Very quickly, Uncle Nicky became the comic relief the show desperately needed and filled the void of an older Pearson patriarch in the present day.
Reddit user sharijewski praised Nicky's character and what he added to the series, "From the moment Nicky appeared I felt a really emotional connection to his character and I can’t pinpoint why. Every part of his storyline makes me sob."
Beth Pearson
Beth Pearson was often the voice of reason on This Is Us. She put up with a lot by marrying into the Pearson family, including the many fights between the Big Three. Beth always stood firm in her beliefs and who she was, and she stood by her husband no matter what. She was a great mom and wife, and had some of the best one-liners on the show.
A reddit user commented on a thread describing why they thought Beth was the best character by far, "She’s smart, witty, beautiful and a great mom and wife. Most of all, she is an independent woman in the show."