Justin Hartley Teases ‘This Is Us’ Season 3 Shocker & Kevin’s Future
Fans of This Is Us were left off with a lot to think about during the Season 2 finale back in March, thankfully it sounds like they may be getting some answers.
Actor Justin Hartley, who plays Kevin Pearson, spoke to Entertainment Weekly about Season 3 and gave more insight on what fans can expect when the series returns this fall. Of course, viewers remember that Kevin was last seen flying into Vietnam with presumed girlfriend—and Beth’s (Susan Kelechi Watson) cousin—Zoe (Melanie Liburd) in a near-future flash forward sequence.
According to the interview with EW, Hartley’s Kevin will learn some surprising things about his father Jack’s (Milo Ventimiglia) time in the country. “He’s going there—it’s a healing thing for him—so he’s going to get a lot of information, some stuff that he didn’t know and didn’t expect. And it’s going to jar a few things.”
In revelations that Hartley reportedly calls “super heartbreaking” and “shocking,” the actor continued to tell EW more about what his character will learn on his journey. “It’s not what anyone is expecting. No one is going to see it coming. It’s ambitious stuff…. Here’s the cool thing about it: At the end of season 3, when you go back and watch the beginning of the series, you’re going to [be] like, ‘Wow, it all works.’ But you never would see any of this coming. I don’t know what those writers are eating, but it’s brain food. They’re brilliant.”
The actor also teased some loose ends from the prior season, like Kevin’s relationship with Zoe and that Ron Howard war movie he was supposed to be starring in. But rather than giving clear answers, the actor offered some questions to consider.
In terms of Kevin and Zoe’s relationship, he offered EW, “Do they fall in love quickly? Are they friends? Are they lovers? What’s going on with that?” And that’s not the only thing to consider: Kevin and Beth’s strained relationship will be further tested with his newfound love. “It’s not going to go over [well],” he said. “What do you think it’s going to be—smooth or rocky? I think rocky. Rocky’s more fun.”
Justin Hartley as Kevin and Chrissy Metz as Kate with Sylvester Stallone. (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
As far as that Ron Howard movie that fans were introduced to during Season 2—the idea was revealed at the end of Season 1—Hartley indicates that it will be part of Season 3. “Does he become a massive celebrity or is the movie a flop?” he offered to EW. “It’s a Ron Howard movie, so it’s not going to be a flop. Does he win an award? How’s he going to deal with that? Does his sobriety get in the way? Does it help him? And what if the movie doesn’t do well, how does he deal with that?”
But what about Sophie (Alexandra Breckenridge)? The actor says of her possible return, “I don’t know why she would come back. Does he want her back? I think she’s probably done at this point.”
Well, that certainly gives fans a lot to think about. Luckily the wait is nearly over for the return of network TV’s popular family. Until then, stocking up on tissues may be a good pastime.
This Is Us, Season 3 Premiere, Tuesday, September 25, 9/8c, NBC
