It’s a celebratory time for the Illinois-born actor, as his hit CBS series Tracker was just renewed for a fourth season following record-breaking viewership. Since his breakout days on Passions and his turn as Oliver Queen on Smallville, Hartley has proven to be one of the most consistent and charismatic leading men on television.
However, for most fans, he will forever be Kevin Pearson from This Is Us. Hartley took what could have been a “shallow” celebrity trope and turned it into a devastatingly honest portrayal of addictions, insecurity and growth. To celebrate his big day, we’re ranking the five episodes that prove Hartley was the “Number One” emotional powerhouse of the Pearson family.
Justin Hartley’s 5 Best This Is Us Episodes
“Number One” (Season 2, Episode 8)
IMDb
This is widely considered Hartley’s “Emmy submission” episode and the moment the audience truly fell for Kevin. Returning to his high school to receive an award, Kevin spiraled into a drug-fueled breakdown on the football field. The scene where he stands on the turf at night, shouting into the darkness about his self-hatred and losing his father’s necklace, is perhaps the finest piece of acting in the entire series. It stripped away the “movie star” facade to reveal the broken boy underneath.
“A Hell of a Week: Part Two” (Season 4, Episode 12)
IMDb
In this Kevin-centric episode, we see him at a crossroads of his sobriety and his romantic life. Traveling to Pittsburgh to attend the funeral of Sophie’s mother, Kevin had to navigate the “what ifs” of his past while staying grounded in his present. Hartley’s performance here was subtle and mature, showing Kevin’s newfound ability to be the “rock” for someone else instead of always needing a savior.
“Jerry 2.0” (Season 5, Episode 15)
IMDb
As Kevin prepared for his wedding to Madison, he faced a crisis of conscience inspired by a “Jerry Maguire” style manifesto. This episode highlighted Hartley’s comedic timing and his ability to play a man terrified of making the wrong choice. The nuances of his performance—the flickering doubt behind his smile—set the stage for one of the show’s most shocking season finales.
“Guitar Man” (Season 6, Episode 8)
IMDb
In the final season, we saw the culmination of Kevin’s architectural and emotional journey. Visiting the family cabin to oversee the construction of the house Jack never got to build, Kevin finally found his purpose. Hartley played this version of Kevin with a hard-won peace, showing that he had finally stopped running away from his father’s shadow and started building a legacy of his own.
“Brotherly Love” (Season 5, Episode 13)
IMDb
If “Number One” was the episode where Kevin broke, “Brotherly Love” was the episode where he finally started to mend. This installment focused entirely on the long-overdue, difficult conversation between Kevin and his brother, Randall (Sterling K. Brown), regarding their fractured relationship and the complex racial dynamics of their childhood.
Hartley’s performance in this episode is a masterclass in active listening and restraint. He had to navigate a minefield of defensiveness, ego, and genuine regret as Kevin finally heard Randall’s perspective without making it about himself.
What’s Next for Him?
Justin Hartley shows no signs of slowing down at 49. Season 3 of Tracker is currently airing on CBS, and with the Season 4 renewal already in the bag for the 2026-27 season, he’s officially the new leader of Sunday night TV.
