This Is Us helps alleviate the Cold Feet withdrawal symptons

The time is ripe for another feel good, all embracing light-and-shade comedy drama, and this pilot, fresh from the States, looks like it can keep the sofa seat warm admirably while we await the return of Cold Feet.

Featuring four characters who all share the same birthday, we open with them all just turning 36 years old.

We meet Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) as they prepare for the arrival of triplets - but not before Rebecca gives Jack his usual birthday treat (which involves him naked and her dancing) - sadly for him, her waters break.

Twins Kevin and Kate have their personal demons - Kevin (Justin Hartley) is fed up being the objectified star in a sitcom, while Kate (Chrissy Metz) has weight issues, hence the post it notes stuck to sundry packets in the fridge. She’s confident and sassy though, while he fixates on the Challenger explosion.

Randall (Sterling K Brown) is a successful businessman and father searching for something he’s not quite sure he actually wants.

A star turn for me, but who we’re unlikely to see again, was the doctor attending Rebecca, who makes his entrance with an answer for Jack. Picking up a piece of equipment in the delivery room, the soon-to-be-dad wonders aloud what it is. The Doc obliges:

It’s warm and sweet, like sticky toffee pudding, with a light touch and engaging characters who immediately make you care. We see each of them enter a new chapter of their life as the day wears on, and realise that there will be, like real life, some moments of poignancy and sadness along the way.

A word of advice - pay close attention! There is a split time frame at play here, but it doesn’t state so on the screen, relying on visuals and behaviour to inform you. And so engrossed was I by the character’s individual stories, I completely failed to see them at first.

Stay off the #ThisIsUs timeline on Twitter too - the U.S is way ahead and has just finished one half of the latest series there - hugely confusing and contains massive spoilers!

Written and created by Dan Fogelman (Cars, Tangled, Crazy Stupid Love) This is Us weaves its way around the domestic intricacies of love, life and familial relationships to wonderful effect. Feeling like you may have been dipped in treacle could be a regular occurrence, but this first episode has me hooked and looking forward to next week. (Channel 4, Tuesday 9pm.)

Want to chat TV? Find me @Scattyjan on Twitter