TCA: The hit NBC drama has also hired Tim O’Brien as a consultant for the sensitive storyline.
It’s been over 40 years since the end of the conflict with Vietnam, but as many recent TV series — from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s “The Vietnam War” documentary to OWN’s “Queen Sugar” — the legacy of that time still has lasting repercussions in America. “This Is Us” will delve into that story through its characters in the upcoming third season.
When the show picks up, it will be the Randall (Sterling K. Brown), Kate (Chrissy Metz), and Kevin’s (Justin Hartley) 38th birthday, showrunner Isaac Aptaker revealed at the NBC panel during Wednesday’s Television Critics Association press tour. And as teased in the last season finale, Kevin will be on a plane with Zoe (Melanie Liburd), bound for Vietnam.
The trip holds significance for the Pearsons since patriarch Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and his brother Nicky served in Vietnam. Jack alluded to losing Nicky in the war, but as with anything “This Is Us,” that may be misleading.
“We are going to be spending a lot of time in Vietnam,” Aptaker said, adding that the show has been working with “The Things They Carried” author and Vietnam veteran Tim O’Brien for the sensitive storylines.
“This Is Us” returns for its third season on Sept. 25 on NBC.