Chrissy Metz on the 'Weird Transition' After 6 Years of 'This Is Us' : I Miss It 'Desperately' (Exclusive)

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesNearly one year afterThis Is Usaired itsemotional series finale,Chrissy Metzis sharing what it has been like to transition out of the role that launched her career.Metz — who playedKate Pearsonon thehit seriesduring its entire six-year run — is stepping into adarker characterin the new movieStay Awakeas she adjusts to taking on new roles and transitioning to a new chapter in her life.“I missThis Is Usdesperately,” the actress and singer tells PEOPLE exclusively. “And not only was it life-changing for me, but the best people, the way that ittouched people’s livesand hearts and minds, it was really, really special.“Jon Kopaloff/GettyAs Metz, 42, is learning tolive without a seriesshe was “lucky enough” to be part of for more than half a decade, she’s also honing her skills as a film actress after leaving theThis Is Usset for the final time.“It’s tricky when you’ve done something for six years because you really know the character, and even though you’re still discovering more about them, you have a grasp,” she explains. “Whereas with a movie, you have maybe a month if you’re lucky from prep to finish. And that way it’s like, ‘Oh boy, I wish I had more time with’ whatever character you’re portraying.“With this newfound freedom to explore other roles, Metz is in the midst of a phase of her career that’s simultaneously challenging and exciting.“Yeah, I mean, it’s a weird transition because six years is a long time, so you just take it one day at a time,” she says.Metz says there was something uniquelymeaningfulaboutThis Is Usthat many actors never have the opportunity to do — and she’ll never take that experience for granted.“You don’t always get to have one of those, let alone multiple of those,” Metz acknowledges. “And so I just try to be really cognizant and intentional with the projects that I’m doing.“NBCNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Movingforward, Metz tells PEOPLE she is planning to do more comedy — specifically, she “would love” to do a “one-woman show” on Broadway — and the formerOscars performerwill continue to pursue hermusic careerwith an album or an EP in the future.Metz can be seen inStay Awake, playing in New York City now and in Los Angeles on May 25, and streaming inThis Is Uson Peacock.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Nearly one year afterThis Is Usaired itsemotional series finale,Chrissy Metzis sharing what it has been like to transition out of the role that launched her career.Metz — who playedKate Pearsonon thehit seriesduring its entire six-year run — is stepping into adarker characterin the new movieStay Awakeas she adjusts to taking on new roles and transitioning to a new chapter in her life.“I missThis Is Usdesperately,” the actress and singer tells PEOPLE exclusively. “And not only was it life-changing for me, but the best people, the way that ittouched people’s livesand hearts and minds, it was really, really special.“Jon Kopaloff/GettyAs Metz, 42, is learning tolive without a seriesshe was “lucky enough” to be part of for more than half a decade, she’s also honing her skills as a film actress after leaving theThis Is Usset for the final time.“It’s tricky when you’ve done something for six years because you really know the character, and even though you’re still discovering more about them, you have a grasp,” she explains. “Whereas with a movie, you have maybe a month if you’re lucky from prep to finish. And that way it’s like, ‘Oh boy, I wish I had more time with’ whatever character you’re portraying.“With this newfound freedom to explore other roles, Metz is in the midst of a phase of her career that’s simultaneously challenging and exciting.“Yeah, I mean, it’s a weird transition because six years is a long time, so you just take it one day at a time,” she says.Metz says there was something uniquelymeaningfulaboutThis Is Usthat many actors never have the opportunity to do — and she’ll never take that experience for granted.“You don’t always get to have one of those, let alone multiple of those,” Metz acknowledges. “And so I just try to be really cognizant and intentional with the projects that I’m doing.“NBCNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Movingforward, Metz tells PEOPLE she is planning to do more comedy — specifically, she “would love” to do a “one-woman show” on Broadway — and the formerOscars performerwill continue to pursue hermusic careerwith an album or an EP in the future.Metz can be seen inStay Awake, playing in New York City now and in Los Angeles on May 25, and streaming inThis Is Uson Peacock.

Nearly one year afterThis Is Usaired itsemotional series finale,Chrissy Metzis sharing what it has been like to transition out of the role that launched her career.

Metz — who playedKate Pearsonon thehit seriesduring its entire six-year run — is stepping into adarker characterin the new movieStay Awakeas she adjusts to taking on new roles and transitioning to a new chapter in her life.

“I missThis Is Usdesperately,” the actress and singer tells PEOPLE exclusively. “And not only was it life-changing for me, but the best people, the way that ittouched people’s livesand hearts and minds, it was really, really special.”

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

As Metz, 42, is learning tolive without a seriesshe was “lucky enough” to be part of for more than half a decade, she’s also honing her skills as a film actress after leaving theThis Is Usset for the final time.

“It’s tricky when you’ve done something for six years because you really know the character, and even though you’re still discovering more about them, you have a grasp,” she explains. “Whereas with a movie, you have maybe a month if you’re lucky from prep to finish. And that way it’s like, ‘Oh boy, I wish I had more time with’ whatever character you’re portraying.”

With this newfound freedom to explore other roles, Metz is in the midst of a phase of her career that’s simultaneously challenging and exciting.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s a weird transition because six years is a long time, so you just take it one day at a time,” she says.

Metz says there was something uniquelymeaningfulaboutThis Is Usthat many actors never have the opportunity to do — and she’ll never take that experience for granted.

“You don’t always get to have one of those, let alone multiple of those,” Metz acknowledges. “And so I just try to be really cognizant and intentional with the projects that I’m doing.”

NBC

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Movingforward, Metz tells PEOPLE she is planning to do more comedy — specifically, she “would love” to do a “one-woman show” on Broadway — and the formerOscars performerwill continue to pursue hermusic careerwith an album or an EP in the future.

Metz can be seen inStay Awake, playing in New York City now and in Los Angeles on May 25, and streaming inThis Is Uson Peacock.

source: people.com