‘This Is Us,’ the Biggest New Hit Series in Decades, Gears Up for Season 2

From Campaign US: If you’re one of those obsessed fans of NBC’s “This Is Us,”—and admit it…you are—season two returns next Tuesday. Unlike the “cooler” shows, where death and destruction, superheroes and arch villains, and blood and gore take precedence, what sets “This Is Us” apart is the relatable characters and the simplicity of the storytelling.

At a time when the future of traditional network television is marred by uncertainty, the breakout success of “This Is Us,” both in audience size and critical acclaim, solidifies the value of an outlet like NBC. Reminiscent of “thirtysomething” three decades earlier, when those fresh-out-of-their-20s yuppies pondered the true meaning of life, I had the chance to speak to one of the stars, Ken Olin, who is now an executive producer and director on “This Is Us.” Olin, who was also a behind-the-scenes force on 2006-11 ABC family drama “Brothers & Sisters,” knows a thing or two about tugging on those proverbial heartstrings.

Naturally, I had to ask him about how patriarch Jack Pearson, played by Milo Ventimiglia, died. Speaking for the fans of “This Is Us,” we want to know! Olin, not surprisingly, was mum on that subject, but he did hint when exactly that mystery will solved.

For the highlights of my conversation with “This is Us” director and producer Ken Olin,click here