7 Shocking Secrets From The This Is Us Writers’ Room And Where The Creators Are Now (2025 Update)

The writers of *This Is Us* crafted one of the most emotionally resonant and structurally complex family dramas in modern television history, captivating audiences with the story of the Pearson family and The Big Three. The show’s massive success was built on a foundation of meticulously planned plot twists, non-linear storytelling, and deeply authentic character development, all orchestrated by a brilliant team of writers and showrunners. As of late 2025, the key creatives behind the series have moved on to a slate of high-profile new projects, from political thrillers to major network comedies, cementing their status as some of the most sought-after storytellers in Hollywood. The legacy of Jack, Rebecca, Randall, Kate, and Kevin Pearson continues to influence television, but the minds that brought them to life are now focused on their next chapters. From a Hulu drama starring a familiar face to an Apple TV+ limited series featuring a powerhouse cast, this is the definitive, current breakdown of the *This Is Us* writers’ room, revealing their biggest secrets and their newest, must-watch shows.

The Masterminds: Where The Key This Is Us Writers Are Now (2025 Update)

The core creative team responsible for the six-season run of *This Is Us* has dispersed across the television landscape, creating some of the most anticipated new series. Their current work demonstrates the versatility and depth of talent that was cultivated in the Pearson family's writers' room.

Dan Fogelman (Creator and Showrunner)

Current Status: Fogelman is one of the busiest and most successful producers in the industry, maintaining a massive deal with 20th Television. His focus has shifted to two major, high-profile series.

• *Paradise* (2025 Series): Fogelman created this political thriller series for Hulu, which stars *This Is Us* alum Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden. The show premiered in January 2025, and a second season is already in the works, signaling a successful pivot from family drama to high-stakes genre storytelling.
• Untitled Hulu NFL Drama: Fogelman is reuniting with Mandy Moore (Rebecca Pearson) for another untitled Hulu series. The project is described as an NFL family drama, bringing a familiar emotional core to a new setting.

Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger (Co-Showrunners)

Current Status: The co-showrunning duo, known for their ability to blend heartfelt drama with comedy, continue to be major players at 20th Television, focusing on their own successful slate of young adult and romantic comedy projects.

• *How I Met Your Father*: Aptaker and Berger served as co-creators and showrunners for the Hulu sequel series to *How I Met Your Mother*.
• *Love, Victor*: They also created and showran the popular Hulu teen drama, a spin-off of their feature film *Love, Simon*, for which they won the Humanitas Prize.
• *I Want You Back* (Film): The duo wrote the screenplay for this critically acclaimed romantic comedy film starring Charlie Day and Jenny Slate.

Kay Oyegun (Writer, Producer, and Director)

Current Status: Oyegun, who was a key writer and co-executive producer on *This Is Us*, has leveraged her expertise in authentic storytelling to launch her own career as a creator and director, with two major projects in development. She is known for writing pivotal episodes like "The Dinner and the Date" and "A Hell of a Week: Part Three."

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• *Imperfect Women* (Apple TV+ Miniseries): Oyegun is serving as a writer and executive producer on this upcoming, high-profile miniseries, which is set to star Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, and Kate Winslet.
• Untitled ABC Drama Pilot: She is also the writer and executive producer of an untitled hourlong drama pilot for ABC, produced by 20th Television, further solidifying her role as a primary creative voice in network television.

The Secret History: 4 Shocking Reveals From The Writers' Room

The emotional complexity of *This Is Us* required a writers' room built on a foundation of trust, meticulous planning, and, occasionally, major debates. These are the secrets and near-misses that shaped the Pearson family's journey.

1. The Show Was Originally a Movie—About Octuplets

The most shocking secret is the show's original premise. Creator Dan Fogelman initially wrote the project as a feature film script. The twist? It wasn't about the Big Three, but about a group of people who realize they were all born on the same day—as octuplets! The concept was deemed too sprawling for a movie, leading Fogelman to retool the idea into the non-linear, time-jumping television series we know today.

2. The Writers Knew Jack’s Death From Day One

The writers’ room had a clear roadmap for Jack Pearson’s (Milo Ventimiglia) death, a detail that was kept secret even from the network and the show's cast for an extended period. The writers understood that the mystery surrounding Jack's demise was the engine driving the early seasons, and they meticulously planned the Super Bowl Sunday episode, "A Big, Big Love," to reveal the tragic details involving the house fire. This long-term planning was key to maintaining the show’s emotional payoff.

3. The 'What Would Randall Do?' Rule

The writers’ room operated on a strict character-first philosophy. According to one writer, when faced with a plot decision, the team would constantly ask: "What would Kevin do? What would Jack do? What would Rebecca do? What would Randall do?" This focus on deeply understanding the core motivations of each Pearson ensured that even the most dramatic twists felt earned and authentic to the character. For example, Randall Pearson's journey to embracing his identity was always rooted in his need to understand his biological origins, a core tenet the writers never abandoned.

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4. The Debate Over Rebecca's Final Arc

As the series neared its end, there was a serious debate in the writers' room about how to handle Rebecca Pearson's (Mandy Moore) final arc and her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The decision to commit fully to the emotional weight and realistic decline associated with the illness was a difficult one, but it was ultimately chosen to provide the most authentic and respectful conclusion to her character's journey, culminating in the powerful final scenes of her life.

More Key Writers And Their Post-Pearson Projects

The *This Is Us* writers' room was deep with talent. Beyond the showrunners, several other executive producers and writers have launched major new shows, further demonstrating the gravitational pull of the Pearson family's creative legacy.

K.J. Steinberg

Steinberg served as an Executive Producer and writer on the series. Her post-*This Is Us* project is a high-profile limited series that showcases her ability to tackle complex, real-world drama.

• *The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox* (Hulu): Steinberg is the creator and showrunner of this scripted limited series, which dramatizes the life and legal battles of Amanda Knox. This project marks a major shift into the true-crime/legal drama genre.

Casey Johnson and David Windsor

This writing and producing duo, who wrote several episodes of *This Is Us*, have successfully transitioned back into the world of network comedy, demonstrating their range across genres.

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• *Not Dead Yet* (ABC): Johnson and Windsor are the creators and showrunners of this ABC sitcom starring Gina Rodriguez, which follows a woman who can see ghosts.
• New ABC Comedy: They are also developing a new single-camera comedy for ABC centered on a Mexican American family, continuing their work in family-centric stories.

The Legacy of Topical Authority

The influence of the *This Is Us* writers extends beyond their new shows. The team's commitment to tackling difficult, relevant issues—such as Randall’s anxiety, the complexities of adoption, and the reality of aging parents—set a new standard for network drama. The show's success proved that audiences crave emotionally intelligent television that explores the nuances of family life, grief, and mental health. This topical authority is now being applied across a diverse range of projects, from the political intrigue of *Paradise* to the character-driven comedy of *Not Dead Yet*.

The writers of *This Is Us* didn't just tell a story; they created a cultural phenomenon that redefined the family drama. Their current projects, all highly anticipated in 2025 and beyond, ensure that the emotional depth and storytelling mastery forged in the Pearson family's world will continue to shape the future of television.