This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman says Mandy Moore centers the show

By Colby Applegate | Mar 7, 2020

This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman says Mandy Moore centers the show. Here’s why he’s absolutely right.

This Is Us stands out as a unique show for many reasons. Perhaps one of the more interesting conversations about the series is in regards to the cast of characters. Nearly every show has “the one” main character that the show is centered around. Without that character, the show just wouldn’t function.

Many This Is Us fans tend to point to Jack Pearson as the main character because of his impact in everyone’s lives before and after his death. However, creator Dan Fogelman made a great point when speaking to The New York Times.

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The creative mastermind behind our favorite show says Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson isn’t just a star on This Is Us. She’s the star.

"“Mandy really centers the entire show. Rebecca is the only character who exists in all the main story lines, in every time period.”"

There’s no arguing that point. Rebecca has been seen in the past, present, and future, though we know our time with her is limited because of her recently-diagnosed health condition. Before we knew we could see into the future, Jack felt like the center of the show because the first two seasons were spent revealing the circumstances of his death.

This topic does pose another peculiar question: Will the show continue on after Rebecca’s death? Many flash-forward scenes have involved Rebecca on her death bed while the rest of the Pearson family gathers in preparation to say goodbye. Because of the mysteriousness surrounding that impending chapter, there’s a thought that Rebecca’s death will be highlighted in the series finale.

With Rebecca as the center character, this theory could very well prove to be true. That’s not to say The Big Three couldn’t continue their on-screen stories without their matriarch, but Fogelman has envisioned the ending since the show’s conception. All good things will eventually come to a close. In the meantime, Mandy Moore will continue killing whatever is thrown her way.

Next. Catch up on Mandy Moore's latest musical accomplishments. dark

What do you think of Rebecca being the main character? Do you think the show will continue after her death?

Catch Rebecca Pearson in the remaining episodes of This Is Us Season 4 every Tuesday on NBC at 9pm ET.

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