“This Is Us” is continuing its trend of casting excellent guest stars, with Phylicia Rashad next set to join the family drama.
Entertainment Weekly has the scoop that Rashad will be appearing during an upcoming episode in the second half of season three, playing Carol, the mother of Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson). The actress’s role will be a pivotal part of the much-hyped episode filling in some more of Beth’s backstory, which will also dovetail with some current timeline stories (and perhaps more of those flash-forwards, too).
It’s unclear if Rashad will pop up in any additional episodes, but the TV legend’s presence is exciting no matter how prolonged. And in a delightful coincidence, her casting is just the latest example of “This Is Us” dipping into the Beloved TV Moms well to fill out its guest ensemble.
Rashad — who famously portrayed Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” — follows appearances by Katey Sagal (“Married… With Children,” “Eight Simple Rules”) in season one, Debra Jo Rupp (“That ’70s Show”) in season two, and Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”) earlier this season. (Our fingers are still crossed for “Family Matters” star Jo Marie Payton.)
“This Is Us” returns from its midseason hiatus on January 15.
[via: Entertainment Weekly]