This Is Us Promotes Lyric Ross to Series Regular for Season 3
Consider this music to our ears: This Is Us has promoted Season 2 breakout Lyric Ross to series regular ahead of Season 3, TVLine has learned. Ross first appeared on the hit NBC drama in the third episode of Season 2 as Deja, the newest addition to Randall and Beth’s family via the foster care system.
In March, the teen actress was named TVLine’s Performer of the Week for her work in a Deja-centric origin episode. Ross’ previous TV credits include USA Network’s Sirens and NBC’s Chicago Fire.
Ross’ upgrade follows last week’s promotion of Melanie Liburd — aka Beth’s cousin/Kevin’s new squeeze Zoe — to series regular. Elsewhere on the Season 3 casting front, Will & Grace alum Michael Angarano is set to recur as Jack’s brother Nicky, and Daredevil vet Rob Morgan will appear in multiple episodes as a city councilman who crosses paths with Randall. [pmc_inline_gallery]
As previously reported, This Is Us — which returns Tuesday, September 25 (9/8c, NBC) — will adopt a light tone in Season 3. “We felt like at the end of Season 2, our family had grieved and processed [Jack’s death],” co-showrunner Elizabeth Berger divulged earlier this month at the Television Critics Assoc. summer press tour. “This is a hopeful season and a season about true new beginnings for everybody.”
So not a fan of this character.
Ditto. Not needed.
Good to know. I thought I was the only one and was somehow broken inside.
You and me both.
I honestly wouldn’t mind if they slowed down on Randall storylines. He’s had some great ones and I love Beth but I swear he gets a lot more screentime than the others. I’m finding his stories somewhat repetitive and tiresome. Deja is fine as a sometimes guest star but making her a regular and also having the housing story tells me that there is going to be some more Randall overkill this season
100% with you.
I think this is a shame (not that you don’t like the character specifically, because I get it – but the fact that this kind of plotline is probably the thing that people don’t want). I think that the portrayal of the system of child services is important, and I think the writers have got some things spot on about a lot of what these children feel and go through and the damage that is done to them (the only think I didn’t like was that I felt they rushed her time in the system too fast), and I think the actress has done a really stellar job of portraying her. It’s not bad that it’s uncomfortable seeing what it’s really like. I work in this area and I’ve never really seen this on TV before.
I agree with you that it is an important story to tell, but something about it doesn’t work for me on this show. Maybe because it’s so big a story in a show where there’s already so much going on.
I think it’s because it didn’t feel earned that this is what Beth and Randall would want to do. It might have been better if they spent the whole of season two talking about it and working through things about it, and then season three introduced Deja. But I bet by the time the whole thing is wrapped up Deja will feel like part of the family.
Great news. So stunning that TIU was her very first professional credit. She’s remarkably talented.
Agreed
I love this character! And a fantastic actress too. Such much heartache, yet love in this storyline. I root for Deja!
Agreed! What a necessary and beautifully done storyline. SO much better than another Kevin-screws-up plotline (addiction? really? I could have done without that whole thing).
Agreed! The Kevin story line was my least favorite. I have a feel that going to be the Toby depression storyline for me this year because I do not like Toby.
I like her but I hope she cleans up her act. Not a fan of the latest storyline. After everything hey have done for her!
This is what it’s like taking in a child of the system in real life. You don’t just get over being abandoned by your mother. If you take in a child, you have to be ready for the fact that it doesn’t matter how well you treat them, it’s very likely that you’ll have holes in your walls, that some of your stuf is getting broken. It’s sad and uncomfortable but it’s the truth – kids don’t just get over being abandoned by their parents no matter how well they are treated by the next people.
I also feel sure that they didn’t introduce Deja only to have negative story lines. I bet she integrates into the family longer term.
Thank you for explaining that so perfectly. I used to work in child services and there was so often this expectation that the kids will just be so grateful. But we always said the primary emotion they’re going to feel is loss and fear. Which when you think about it makes total and complete sense.
@Ben, I totally agree with you, we are not in Deja’s shoes; though we haven’t lived her story, we saw it unfold throughout every episode she was in. We saw how abusive it was, starting with her mother, who gave up all rights to the Pearson’s because she felt it was in the best interest of Deja. Many kids and adults will act out in different ways, such as Deja has. Hopefully she will get the help she needs and she will be a great addition to the Pearson family. I really do like the character of Deja and the young actress who portrays her. I’m not sure why people don’t like her … is it the subject matter? Like anything we have seen doesn’t happen in every day life, sure it does. And she had to have been crushed that her mother gave up all rights, because most kids, no matter how horrible the situation, will love their parents and Deja did/does.
You sure are spot on with all you say and again I completely agree with everything you say in all of your posts.
Can she travel back in time and watch the 98 Super Bowl with Jack? She is the worst character of the show.
Not a fan of this idea — there are other main characters on which I wish there was more focus and we will obviously see more of Beth’s sister with her relationship with Kevin and more of Beth. I’d just like to see some of the others have more in depth stories over what for me, is a minor character.
I’m glad this happened. Lyric Ross really brought a stellar performance to that role – she was able to show the pain of being abandoned and the joy of being loved, so well. And given all the other kids are series regulars, it’s important she was too.
Lyric Ross is a terrific addition to the show. Randall’s family unit is the most enthralling for me as a viewer tied with Jack & Rebecca. I could watch a show with just those characters and be fine.
Can’t stand her.
Pfffft. Such a boring character. Bring back William!
Just no. From Toby’s depression and Kevin’s new relationship to Miguel getting an episode, this season is not sounding so great. Deja isn’t needed to be a regular at all. I want to see lots of Jack and Rebecca not the secondary characters