See portraits from EW's 'This Is Us' summer BBQ cover shoot (original) (raw)

The cast of This Is Us says goodbye

Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

Summer may still be a few weeks away, but we here at EW couldn't wait to get the festivities started. And with whom better to raise a glass and a burger than America's first family, the cast of This Is Us. As coincidence would have it, NBC's beloved time-tripping family drama just happens to be unveiling its series finale on Tuesday. To mark the occasion, Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Jon Huertas, Sterling K. Brown, Susan Kelechi Watson, Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, and Chris Sullivan partook in a vintage summer BBQ last month in L.A. for EW's digital cover shoot. Is it canon that Jack can hang out with the adult Big Three? Or that Toby and Kate still seem like a couple in love? Or that Jack, Miguel, and Rebecca make for one lovely couple? Just go with the flow and enjoy the warm vibes before sending off NBC's era-hopping family drama on May 24.

To prepare for the series finale, check out our cover story in which the show's stars and creator Dan Fogelman reminisce about their time on This Is Us and the final days of filming.

Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia

Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia. Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"I'm gonna start crying," Moore said about the impending goodbye. "I'm just on the precipice of keeping it together."

Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, and Sterling K. Brown

Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, and Sterling K. Brown. Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"This is the last photo shoot," said Brown. "Like, this is the last time that we'll probably get a chance to gather together in this informal setting or whatever and just kick it."

Sterling K. Brown and Susan Kelechi Watson

Sterling K. Brown and Susan Kelechi Watson. Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"Honestly, I'm getting a little wistful," said Watson at the shoot.

Chris Sullivan and Chrissy Metz

Chris Sullivan and Chrissy Metz. Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"I would want to work with Chris Sullivan forever," said Metz.

The cast of This Is Us

The cast of 'This Is Us' on EW's digital cover shoot. Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"How are my biceps looking in this shirt?" cracked Sullivan.

Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, and Jon Huertas

Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, and Jon Huertas. Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"Look at this throuple," joked Metz.

Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, Sterling K. Brown, and Susan Kelechi Watson

Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"Whether or not anybody ever wants to see us again ever after this is up for debate," laughed Hartley.

Brothers who have each other's back

Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"The fact that [Kevin and Randall] went through saying seemingly unforgivable things but found their way back to forgiveness — I think that's pretty, pretty awesome," says Brown.

Mandy Moore

Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"This Is Us hit on notes that I never even knew were possible to dream about," said Moore.

Milo Ventimiglia

Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"I never imagined it would have the reach that it did," Ventimiglia said of the show.

Milo Ventimiglia and Jon Huertas

Pat Martin for Entertainment Weekly

"Milo and I, we're friends, we're family. And we really respect the relationship between Miguel and Jack as that they're more than just friends, they're family," said Huertas.