Keep the tissues handy as This Is Us returns.
Get the tissues ready. The Pearson family return for a second series of This is Us this week when we finally discover in flashbacks what killed Jack (Milo Ventimiglia). Also look out for some celebrity guest stars with director Ron Howard and Rocky star Sylvester Stallone playing themselves. Jenny Cooney Carrillo reports. JACK AND REBECCA (MILO VENTIMIGLIA AND MANDY MOORE)
It’s the moment everyone has dreaded since viewers fell in love with Jack and Rebecca. Early in the first season, we discovered that Rebecca was widowed when the three siblings were 17 years old. In flashforwards and flashbacks, we’ve waited for an explanation and Milo Ventimiglia now confirms the wait is over.
“Yes, you find out quickly,” he says. “But with one answer you’re going to be served about 20 other questions so it’s not as straightforward as you’d expect.”
Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore reveal that the explosive argument that ended last season will not be easy to bounce back from.
“Jack and Rebecca are in a tough spot, as hurtful things were said so their actions may need time to repair,” says Ventimiglia.
Moore says it’s a blow to the couple’s love story. “They’re hopefully heading towards a reconciliation,” she says, “but there’s a lot of assessment of not just the brunt of the argument we saw, but what really led up to that and the cracks that had been appearing in their marriage over several years.”
Sitting in the Pearsons’ living room on soundstages at Paramount Pictures, the actors speak proudly of their career-changing roles.
“Playing Jack makes me want to be the best version of myself because he sets a great example,” Ventimiglia says.
Moore jokes that playing Rebecca has brought out her clucky side.
“It depends on the day,” she laughs, “but it definitely has you reflecting on the definition of family and brought me closer to not just my family but even my close friends in
life.”
RANDALL (STERLING K. BROWN), KEVIN (JUSTIN HARTLEY), KATE (CHRISSY METZ)
Sterling K. Brown reveals that the decision by Randall and Beth to adopt this season is complicated by Randall’s decision to quit his job.
“We start the season off with Randall being the stay-at-home dad and Beth being the breadwinner, and we see how Randall goes at trying his hand to raise these two girls,” Brown grins.
“In a lot of ways, losing William has made the family stronger because it made Randall recognise he wanted more quality time with his own family.”
Chrissy Metz hints that Kate is finally pursuing her dream of being a singer but her relationship with Toby will hit unexpected bumps.
“Toby and Kate are living together so, of course, that changes everything,” she teases, “and then there are some other heartbreaks along the way.”
Metz also hints that once viewers discover Jack’s fate, we will realise why she struggles so much. “Everyone in the family feels in some way responsible for
the passing of Jack but Kate, in particular, is really dealing with the guilt and pain and struggling,” she says.
“We see just how deep she is willing to go to handle her issues.”
A big highlight of the season for Justin Hartley was sharing scenes with both Ron Howard and Sylvester Stallone, playing themselves as director and star of the fictional movie that struggling actor Kevin lands as his big break.
“Sly comes in and makes everyone laugh and is jovial and I think it’s because he knows he has to turn himself into a regular guy or you’d spend the whole day freaking out you are working with Rocky,” Hartley says.
Whether Kevin’s movie role leads to stardom remains to be seen.
“We saw Kevin grow leaps and bounds in the first season into becoming the man he always wanted to be but there are pitfalls along the way,” Hartley hints. “Yes, he finally got his big break but remember the phrase, ‘Be careful what you wish for’ because now he’s actually got to deliver.”