PASADENA, Calif. _ The angsty family drama "This Is Us" returns from a two-month hiatus Tuesday (9 p.m., NBC) and Sterling K. Brown warns fans to brace themselves for a narrative twist involving his character, Randall Pearson.
Speaking to reporters here at the Television Critics Association press tour, Brown tried to avoid spoilers by speaking as "vaguely as possible" about the storyline in the return episode.
"I think it's quite compelling," he said. "It delves further into Randall's mental health and how he takes care of himself ... And there's this moment that happens where you go, 'Oh $#@%! This is about to go sideways."
Brown appeared during a panel session, along with costars Chris Sullivan, Chrissy Metz, Mandy Moore, Justin Hartley, Susan Kelechi Watson and executive producer Dan Fogelman.
Fogelman said the popular series will return with a trilogy of episodes that will each focus on the three Pearson siblings _ Randall, Kate (Metz) and Kevin (Hartley).
It was also announced that Sophia Bush and Pamela Adlon will guest-star in upcoming episodes. While Fogelman was mum on details about Bush's role, he teased that Aldon's character will factor into an upcoming story line for Randall.
"Sterling has an unbelievable arc in the back half of the season," he said. "And she plays an important role in the story."
Fogelman added that he is particularly proud of a "very intense" story line about Randall and Beth's marriage.
In other NBC news coming out of TCA:
_ It was announced that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will return to host the Golden Globe Awards next year. The "Saturday Night Live" alums received generally positive reviews when they hosted the Globes from 2013-15.
_ Jimmy Fallon will host "That's My Jam," a new comedy variety event series inspired by the popular, celebrity-fueled musical segments on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. It will premiere out of the Tokyo Olympics this summer and in prime time.
_ The medical series "New Amsterdam" has been renewed for three years, through the 2022-23 season.
