Theseason 5 finaleofThis Is Usrevealed the breakup of a key Pearson couple who have two young kids.
Actually, let’s make that two breakups.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Congrats on your second nomination.
Chrissy Metz as Kate, Chris Sullivan as Toby on ‘This Is Us.'.Ron Batzdorff/NBC
How surprised were you this time?
CHRIS SULLIVAN:I’m pretty surprised.
I mean, who’s even heard of them?
Listen, my chances aren’t good.
[Laughs] But the good news is, I will be invited into all the parties.
It’s incredible company to keep.
And it gives me a reason to introduce myself and have a conversation with all of them.
I mean, the category is literally a list of my favorite actors.
So it’s a nice ice breaker to be included in the nominees.
I was excited to be included in the predictions to be nominated.
So to actually be nominated is even a step up from that.
What was the best thing that happened on Emmy-nomination morning?
So it was this weird muted whisper celebration.
That was very much straight out of aDan Fogelmansitcom.
What was it like to film this show during the pandemic?
And how does season 5 in terms of the work you put in stand out to you?
His existence, his presence in my life has especially this last season I felt more present on set.
It was a really calm and focused season, ironically enough.
What was the most challenging scene for you to pull off in season 5?
Waiting in the parking lot for the surrogate to give birth?
Reaching out to Toby’s father for help with the leaky pipe and more?
Defensively turning down Kevin’s money?
The scenes in the parking lot of the hospital with Michael O’Neill were incredible.
He’s a legend in our industry and a wonderful man.
That evening in the parking lot of the hospital was a special night of work.
That scene with Kevin at his house was tricky to navigate.
That was a long day.
On top of that, eating sushi for 30 minutes is wonderful.
Let’s jump to the end of the finale.That was quite a twist.
How long have you known about this?
And what was your reaction when Dan [Fogelman, the show’s creator] told you?
We didn’t know how or when it might all occur.
But we’ve known for awhile.
And of course, as soon as Dan told Chrissy and I, it was very sad.
To know that eventually it’s going to dissolve is hard to handle.
When you say “a while ago,” was that…?
A couple of years ago.
Have you talked about it more since then?
I mean, there’s nothing really to talk about.
It’s not a fun thing to talk about.
And it’s not like there’s anything we can do about it.
If it were a real relationship, it certainly would be time to talk about it [laughs].
What was your reaction when this story became more real?
I think there was a somber acceptance of understanding what Dan and the writers were trying to do.
It’ll be an interesting challenge for both of us.
Did Toby make too many scalp tickling demands?
Or was it another play by Lady Kryptonite?
I don’t know how the eventuality of it all is going to play out.
If you’re trying to ask me whose fault it is, I actually don’t know.
I’m glad I don’t know.
In your mind, how much of a communication gap is at the root of their demise?
I’m certain of it.
I mean, communication gaps are probably 90 percent of how separations like this come to pass.
I’m sure the reckoning will be painful.
For both of them.
What intrigues you about this development, in terms of things to play in the final season?
When Toby asked Kevin about long-distance relationships, he said they were horrible….
The position that Toby and Kate are in is not unusual for people.
It will be helpful.
It will be enlightening.
Ornotnavigate something like this.
And that’s why I can’t do this anymore."
Do you know how imminent their split is?
I don’t know timelines.
He might even be at the wedding.
Yeah, he might even be there.
Hopefully he’s doing all right.
I’m sure it’s going to be difficult no matter what.
But yeah, in that timeline, that’s going to be a difficult day for him.
We see Kevin and Madison getting along well in that four-year flash forward at Kate’s wedding.
It’s just interesting that Randall was making that call instead of Kate.
And what do we make of the new guy, played by Chris Geere?
Yeah, I don’t know what to make of him!
He’s a brilliant actor.
We know that much.
As far as the character goes, I don’t have enough information.
But so far he ends up with my wife, so he can’t be that great.
They just adopted a second child.
He has so much on his plate.
Yeah, I think there’s some selfishness involved.
I think there’s some panic involved.
I think there’s some genuine concern for the wellbeing of his family involved.
But yes, fear plays into a lot of people’s decisions.
And I think fear is definitely a big part of this.
I know that decisions will be boldly made.
That’s what I know.
As far as the details go, I can’t speak to many more of them.
But there’s going to be strong decisions.
Is there one scene that you’re dying to see happen before it’s all over?
And if there was a way to do that, that’s the man I’d love to meet.
