NBC orders full season of 'This is Us'

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- NBC said Tuesday it has ordered an additional five episodes of This is Us, its freshman drama starring Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore.

Also featuring Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, Sterling K. Brown, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Sullivan and Ron Cephas Jones, the show will now run for at least 18 episodes.

"It's a rare moment in this business when a show so instantly delivers both critical acclaim and hit ratings, but This is Us is just such an extraordinary achievement," Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. "Creator Dan Fogelman, along with co-directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and the gifted producers, cast and crew, has delivered the kind of heart and depth that resonates with every segment of the audience, and we're proud to extend its presence on our schedule."

"We are thrilled. This order for a complete first season of 18 episodes is exactly what we'd wanted and hoped for," added Fogelman. "We'd carefully mapped out an 18-chapter story for the first year of the show, and this allows us to follow through with our exact initial intent. And to get the order so early on is a tremendous show of confidence and a boost for our entire cast and crew."