When a friend dies unexpectedly, the lives of those left behind are never quite the same. A Million Little Things, the ABC family drama created by DJ Nash, follows a group of Boston friends as they navigate grief, secrets, and the everyday moments that bind them together. The series aired from September 2018 to May 2023, spanning five seasons and 87 episodes.
The show’s title reflects its core idea: life is made up of a million little things—shared jokes, tough conversations, small acts of kindness—that define our relationships. Over the course of its run, the series tackled heavy themes like depression, cancer, addiction, and domestic abuse, while always circling back to the power of friendship.
Though it drew comparisons to emotional dramas like This Is Us, A Million Little Things carved out its own identity with a tight‑knit ensemble cast and a willingness to explore the ripple effects of suicide. The show ended with a planned finale in 2023, giving fans closure even as debates continue about its streaming availability and occasional confusion with an unrelated book.
What Is the TV Show A Million Little Things About?
Key Insights
- The show ran for 5 seasons and 87 episodes, ending on May 3, 2023.
- It is frequently confused with the memoir A Million Little Pieces by James Frey, which led to search volume for “A Million Little Things book”.
- The series explores themes of suicide, depression, grief, and the importance of friendship.
- Despite solid ratings, ABC chose not to renew for a 6th season, giving the series a planned ending.
- The show’s title refers to the idea that every day is made up of a million little moments that connect friends and family.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | September 26, 2018 |
| Finale Date | May 3, 2023 |
| Total Episodes | 87 |
| Network | ABC |
| Production | ABC Signature, Kapital Entertainment |
| Availability (US) | Hulu |
| Availability (UK) | Amazon Prime Video (via StackTV) / Disney+ (Star) |
Who Is in the Cast of A Million Little Things?
Main Ensemble
The core cast remained remarkably stable across all five seasons. David Giuntoli played Eddie Saville, a former musician struggling with sobriety. Romany Malco portrayed Rome Howard, a filmmaker grappling with depression. James Roday Rodriguez brought charm and humor to Gary Mendez, a cancer survivor and the group’s emotional anchor. Other regulars include Christina Moses as Regina Howard, Grace Park as Katherine Saville, Allison Miller as Maggie Bloom, Stéphanie Szostak as Delilah Dixon, and Lizzy Greene as Sophie Dixon. Tristan Byon played Theo Saville, the younger member of the friend group.
Creator and Crew
The series was created by DJ Nash, who had previously worked on shows like Growing Up Fisher and Truth Be Told. ABC Signature and Kapital Entertainment produced the series for the network.
The strength of A Million Little Things lay in its ensemble chemistry. The actors’ real‑life friendships translated on screen, making the group’s emotional highs and lows feel authentic. This was especially important given the show’s focus on how friends support each other through trauma.
How Many Seasons of A Million Little Things Are There?
Season Breakdown
The show ran for exactly five seasons on ABC, from September 26, 2018 to May 3, 2023. Each season consisted of a standard network order: Season 1 had 17 episodes, Season 2 had 19, Season 3 had 18, Season 4 had 20, and the final Season 5 had 13 episodes, for a total of 87 episodes.
Season 5 and the Finale
The fifth and final season premiered in February 2023 and concluded on May 3, 2023. ABC confirmed ahead of time that this would be the last season, allowing the writers to craft a proper ending. The series finale tied up major character arcs, offering closure for the friend group.
Some sources list 86 episodes instead of 87. The discrepancy usually arises from whether a two‑part episode is counted as one or two entries. The widely accepted total is 87 broadcast episodes.
Is There a Season 6 of A Million Little Things?
No. The series ended after Season 5, which aired its final episode on May 3, 2023. ABC did not renew the show for a sixth season. The decision was made ahead of Season 5, so the writers were able to give the story a deliberate conclusion rather than an abrupt cancellation. There has been no announcement of a revival or spinoff.
When Did A Million Little Things End? A Timeline
- 2018 – Series premieres on ABC (September 26).
- 2019 – Season 2 premieres; show renewed for additional seasons due to strong ratings.
- 2020 – Season 3 premieres amid the pandemic; explores mental health themes.
- 2021 – Season 4 premieres; ratings begin to decline.
- 2022 – Season 5 announced as final season (March); final season premieres (February 2023).
- 2023 – Series finale airs on May 3, 2023.
Is A Million Little Things Based on a Book?
This is a common source of confusion. The TV show A Million Little Things is not based on any book. It is an original creation by DJ Nash.
The confusion almost certainly arises from the memoir A Million Little Pieces by James Frey, which was published in 2003 and later became embroiled in a famous literary controversy. Despite the similar titles, the two works are completely unrelated. A Million Little Pieces is a first‑person account of addiction and recovery; A Million Little Things is a fictional ensemble drama about friendship and grief.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| The show is an original scripted series, not an adaptation. | Some viewers still mistakenly believe the show is based on a book, but this is a persistent myth. |
| The memoir A Million Little Pieces exists but is a non‑fiction work. | No official connection has ever been suggested between the two titles. |
What Themes Does A Million Little Things Explore?
The show’s emotional core is the “ripple effect” of suicide. When one of the friends, Jon Dixon, takes his own life in the pilot, the remaining characters are forced to confront their own vulnerabilities. Over five seasons, the series addresses depression, anxiety, cancer, addiction, domestic violence, and the enduring power of friendship.
Critics often compared the show to This Is Us for its use of flashbacks and emotional twists. However, A Million Little Things leaned more heavily into the ensemble’s everyday interactions—the “million little things” that define a relationship. The show was praised for its diverse cast and willingness to tackle difficult topics without shying away from the messiness of real life.
The series deals with suicide, depression, and other heavy subjects. It is rated TV‑14 for language and mature themes, making it more suitable for teens and adults.
What Do Official Sources and Critics Say?
“A group of friends bands together to help each other through life’s unpredictable curveballs.”
— ABC Official Site (abc.com)
“A group of friends becomes motivated to live fuller lives after the unexpected death of a close friend.”
— IMDb (imdb.com)
“The series explores themes of friendship, grief, and the secrets people keep.”
— Wikipedia (Wikipedia)
Is A Million Little Things Worth Watching?
For fans of emotional ensemble dramas, A Million Little Things offers a complete, five‑season story about friendship, loss, and healing. Its planned ending provides closure, and the cast’s chemistry makes even the most melodramatic moments feel earned. If you enjoy shows that tackle mental health openly and center on a tight‑knit group of friends, this series is worth a look. For a full breakdown of the cast, seasons, and streaming options, see our A Million Little Things — Complete Guide (cast, seasons, finale, streaming).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the premise of A Million Little Things?
It follows a group of friends in Boston whose lives are changed after the unexpected suicide of one of their closest friends, forcing them to re‑examine their own lives.
How many episodes are in Season 5?
Season 5 has 13 episodes.
Who are the main characters?
The main cast includes David Giuntoli (Eddie), Romany Malco (Rome), James Roday Rodriguez (Gary), Christina Moses (Regina), Grace Park (Katherine), and Allison Miller (Maggie).
Where can I watch A Million Little Things in the UK?
In the UK, it is available on Amazon Prime Video via the StackTV add‑on and on Disney+ under the Star content hub.
Is the show suitable for children?
It is rated TV‑14 for language, mature themes, and depictions of suicide, making it more suitable for teens and adults.
Is A Million Little Things on Netflix?
In the US, no. It streams on Hulu and also on Disney+. In the UK, it’s on Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. Netflix availability varies by region and is not standard.
Who created the series?
DJ Nash created A Million Little Things for ABC.
How many seasons of A Million Little Things are there?
Five seasons, airing from 2018 to 2023.
What is the show’s rating on Rotten Tomatoes?
As of 2025, the series holds a score of 82% on the Tomatometer and 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Is the show similar to This Is Us?
Both are emotional ensemble dramas that use flashbacks, but A Million Little Things focuses more on friendship and the aftermath of suicide.
Related stories
Dominic Shaw covers the economy, business, markets and consumer affairs for UKBullet.uk.