This Is Us heads to the UK

This is Us airs on NBC in the US

A UK broadcaster has acquired US drama This Is Us from 20th Century Fox Television Distribution.

Channel 4 will air the series, which is written by Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love) and follows the intertwining lives of its characters, some of whom were born on the same day, as their paths cross in curious ways.

Its first episode on NBC in the US last week was the highest-rated series premiere on any network in the past year.

Produced by Rhode Island Ave Productions and 20th Century Fox Television, the cast includes Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember), Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes) and Sterling K Brown (The People V. O.J. Simpson).

“This Is Us is unmissably life affirming with a warmth that has drawn critical acclaim and bumper ratings,” said Jay Hunt, Channel 4 CEO.

Other broadcasters to have acquired the series from Fox include Network Ten in Australia.