‘This Is Us’: All of the Actors Who Portray Kate Pearson on NBC Drama From Chrissy Metz to Mackenzie Hancsicsak
This Is Us may seem like just another family drama. While it’s true the NBC show is centered on family dynamics, it only takes one episode to realize why there is so much buzz about it.
Created by Dan Fogelman, This Is Us plays with the viewer’s emotions and delivers complex storylines that make it compelling. The show adopts flashbacks to give a glimpse into each character’s life. Fan-favorite Kate Pearson was portrayed by three actors throughout the flashbacks and current episodes. Here’s who portrays her.
Why people can’t stop talking about ‘This Is Us’
When the show began, the pilot episode opened with a statistical fact about birthdays. While the opening line is meant to foray the viewers into the storyline involving the Pearson triplets sharing a birthday, viewers soon realize it’s deeper than that.
The show follows the Pearson family throughout different stages of their lives. At the helm of the series is Rebecca, the Pearson matriarch who has seen it all and been through it all. From raising children in the ’70s to losing family members, Rebecca has been through the wringer but always offers her family much-needed hope and love.
Her husband, Jack, died in a house fire from cardiac arrest after inhaling too much smoke. At the time, he and Rebecca had some marital issues that viewers hoped they would fix along the way. However, Jack’s death ended any hope viewers had for their marriage.
The Pearson triplets were initially twins Kevin and Kate as Rebecca and Jack lost their third child on the same day. Randall, their third child, was abandoned at the hospital, having been born at the same time in the same place as the twins. Rebecca and Jack, therefore, adopted him.
The show is so popular due to its ability to play with time to dial-up emotions. It also veers away from the central characters to give others on the show a glance into their pasts.
All the actors who played Kate Pearson on ‘This Is Us’
Three women have portrayed Kate, with Chrissy Metz doing the lion’s share of the character’s exposure on This Is Us. All three actors added layers to Kate’s journey.
Mackenzie Hancsicsak
Mackenzie Hancsicsak made her film debut when she appeared in My Girls in Summer Sisters. The movie is a family comedy about girls’ empowerment and support. The 14-year-old also lent her voice for Tangled: The Series alongside Mandy Moore, who coincidentally plays Rebecca on This Is Us. Hancsicsak’s role as a young Beth was her first significant TV role.
Hannah Zeile
Hannah Zeile appeared on TV shows like Netflix’s The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale and Anger Management with Charlie Sheen. The 24-year-old portrayed the teenage and early adult Kate in her twenties. Zeile’s This Is Us part marked her first significant role in television.
Chrissy Metz
Metz is a singer, actor, and Christian. She has participated in TV shows like My Name Is Earl, Entourage, and American Horror Story as well as movies like Breakthrough. She recently lent her voice to Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny for the role of Mei Mei. The 41-year-old plays Kate from her late twenties to old age.
Kate Pearson struggles with body issues throughout ‘This Is Us’
Kate is one-half of the twins and a third of the Pearson triplets. Growing up, she struggled with body issues and had a hard time coming to terms with who she is. Kate has proven she would do just about anything for her family as she is their biggest supporter, a courtesy she doesn’t extend herself.
Kate and Kevin have a stronger bond than they both have with Randall. The bond is hinted to be due to their twin nature. However, she and Randall get along far better than Kevin does with Randall. Her relationships have also had a significant role in the series.
