Lyric Ross, the actress who played Deja on the NBC series This is Us, has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming third season of the beloved family drama, according to ET.
Ross joined the series in season 2 as Randall and Beth Pearson’s foster child, while her mother was incarcerated. She appeared in nine episodes, her last being the sophomore finale, in which her character was seen hitting the Pearson’s car window with a bat following Kate and Toby’s wedding.
Ross will be joining the regular cast that includes Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown, Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, Chris Sullivan, Jon Huertas, Eris Baker, Faithe Herman and newly promoted regular Melanie Liburd, who plays Beth’s cousin Zoe. The latest season will also introduce the much-awaited arrival of Jack’s late brother, Nicky (played by Michael Angarano).
Ross’ previous TV credits include USA Network’s Sirens and NBC’s Chicago Fire. She is also set to star in the upcoming film Canal Street alongside Mekhi Phifer.
Recently, producers of the show hinted that in the aftermath of Jack’s death mystery now solved, they’re approaching the new season with a more hopeful manner.
“We felt like at the end of season two, our family had grieved and processed the loss of Jack on a deeper level than they ever had before,” co-showrunner Elizabeth Berger said during the Drama Showrunners panel at the Television Critics Association press tour. “This is a very hopeful season and a season about true new beginnings for everybody.”
