Fall TV: Will 'This Is Us' Be the Hit of the Season?

It's been a long time since a family drama was a true break-out hit on network TV, but that could change this fall. NBC's This Is Us is not only drawing overwhelmingly positive critics' reviews ahead of its premiere next week, the series is also generating significant buzz on social media.

The series from creator Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love) traces the stories of an ensemble of interconnected characters as they go about their mostly ordinary lives. Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls) and Mandy Moore play a young married couple who, early on, are expecting triplets. Sterling K. Brown (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot) is a businessman dealing with his estranged father. Justin Hartley (Smallville) is a TV star who's having second thoughts about his career.

Although primarily a drama, This Is Us injects a generous dose of comedy into the series' format, and critics are universally praising the show's writing and acting. All the elements seem to be in place for a hit debut, although the series' sentimental tone is at odds with most of what's on network TV these days, especially at NBC, where the bulk of the dramatic schedule is filled with crime procedurals and similarly structured series.

This Is Us premieres on Tuesday, September 20, at 10pm on NBC.