How many tears have you shed for the Pearsons while watching This Is Us? More importantly, how many of those tears were shed over how Jack died? As fans look ahead to season three – and inevitably, more tears – here’s a celebration of the talented cast on-and-off screen, from Mandy Moore to the guy who played Dr. K.

Rebecca Pearson (Mandy Moore)

As the matriarch of the Pearson family, Mandy has portrayed multiple versions of Rebecca, including present-day Rebecca, pregnant Rebecca, and pre-Jack Rebecca, when everyone in her life was determined to help her find a husband. In real life, Mandy has thrived with an impressive movie and TV career. Most recently, the actress hinted at a return to her first love: music.

Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia)

Milo “forever aging backwards” Ventimiglia first won hearts playing Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls. No matter where you stand on the whole Jess vs. Dean debate, take comfort in the fact that Milo is still tugging at heartstrings as Jack Pearson these days. Even when he’s not on an episode, the mere mention of his name makes one tear up. So. Much.

Randall Pearson (Sterling K. Brown)

How much does Hollywood love Sterling’s portrayal of Randall Pearson? Let us count the awards: one Golden Globe; one Primetime Emmy; one Screen Actors Guild; and on Critics Choice Television Award. He’s a frontrunner at the 2018 Emmys, where he’s up for the same category, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Well done, Sterling!

Teen Randall (Niles Fitch)

Before landing the role of teen Randall, Niles who hails from Atlanta, appeared on episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Army Wives and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. When he’s not busy making viewers all emotional on This Is Us, you can find Niles taking photos of flowers.

Young Randall (Lonnie Chavis)

Lonnis is responsible for bringing the cuteness to young Randall (specifically, aged 8 to 10). At just 10 years old, Lonnie’s resume includes everything from the Showtime series White Famous to a Kevin Hart TV movie. He’s also been on an episode of Supergirl, NBD.

Kevin Pearson (Justin Hartley)

Present-day Kevin hit the lowest of lows on season two, which saw him getting arrested for a DUI and landing in rehab. (The season also left viewers with plenty of questions after teasing a shot of Kevin going to Vietnam with Beth’s cousin.) In real life, Justin’s expansive resume has included residencies on the soap Passions (remember Fox Crane?), Smallville, Revenge, and another long-running soap, The Young and the Restless.

Teen Kevin (Logan Shroyer)

Playing a teen like Kevin, complete with his angst and grit, is no easy task but Logan has gone above and beyond for the role, to the point where you just want to enter your TV and give the guy a break (and a hug). Before landing his big break on This Is Us, Logan appeared on an episode of Speechless (opposite Minnie Driver) and Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans.

Young Kevin (Parker Bates)

One of young Kevin’s most memorable scenes happened on season one, when he was convinced he almost drowned at a public pool because no one in his family was paying attention to him. The show has perfectly captured this struggle all the way to present-day Kevin. If you like goldendoodles, do head over to Parker’s Instagram account (managed by his parents, because he’s 11) for photos of his family dog, Archie.

Kate Pearson (Chrissy Metz)

Before This is Us, Chrissy was an agent who auditioned on the side for years. In 2014, she landed the role of Ima Wiggles on American Horror Story: Freak Show. Then things got quiet again – for about a year. “And then when This Is Us came around, that’s when I was on unemployment and I had 81 cents in my bank account,” she recalled in an interview with NPR in April 2018. Fast forward to 2017: Chrissy earns her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her second nomination (for the same category) would arrive one year later.

Teen Kate (Hannah Zeile)

Put your hands up when you get emotional just thinking about the time Jack secretly recorded his Katie girl singing in her bedroom. Before anyone brings up the dog, let’s give a round of applause for Hannah Zeile, who truly brings it in every scene.

Young Kate (Mackenzie Hancsicsak)

Remember when The Big Three has separate birthday parties when they turned 10 and Kate dressed up as Madonna?” This Is Us is Mackenzie’s first-ever TV role (she previously provided voices for Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure on the Disney Channel).

Beth Pearson (Susan Kelechi Watson)

As the only person who can put a stop to The Randall Show (i.e. put Randall in his place), Beth is one of the strongest characters on This Is Us. Before she became Beth, Susan who hails from the Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program, appeared on episodes on Veep, The Blacklist, The Good Wife, NCIS and Law & Order.

Tess Pearson (Eris Baker)

Tess had a brush with danger when she got into the backseat of a car driven by Kevin on season two. By season’s end, viewers were let in on a new storyline: Tess grows up to be a social worker. Until early 2018, actress Eris Baker was juggling both This Is Us and The Disney Channel’s K.C. Undercover (opposite Zendaya). The latter has since been cancelled, but you can catch Eris on Netflix’s Alexa & Katie and episodes of Drunk History when you’re not watching This Is Us reruns before season three premieres.

Annie Pearson (Faithe Herman)

As one of the few characters on This Is Us with witty one-liners, Faither’s Annie is a total joy to watch. In 2019, you can catch Faithe in Shazam!, based on the DC Comics superhero. Faithe plays Darla, one of Billy’s (Shazam’s) foster siblings. 

Deja (Lyric Ross)

Deja finished season two by smashing Randall’s car window, so expect her to deal with the aftermath on season three. Before playing the teen Randall and Beth take in (on more than one occasion), the talented Lyric Ross appeared on episodes of Sirens and Chicago Fire.

Shauna, Deja’s mother (Joy Brunson)

Deja and her mother’s heart-breaking journey to living out of their own car was the focus of the season two episode, “The Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life.” In the end, Shauna decided it was better for her daughter to stay with the Pearsons. Again. Actress Joy Brunson’s pre-This Is Us resume includes small roles on Drop Dead Diva, Army Wives, and Rosewood.

Miguel Rivas (Jon Huertas)

Jon Huertas is no stranger to primetime TV. He’s been on episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Crossing Jordan, NCIS, Castle, and Elementary. And that’s just a fraction of his work. On the big screen, he hasn’t starred in a movie since 2014, but that’s fine. He can play good guy Miguel for 10 more seasons, and no one would complain. (They might cry a little, because of all the emotions, but it’s not a bad thing!)

Toby Damon (Chris Sullivan)

Before becoming one-half of KaToby, Chris Sullivan appeared on everything from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to The Americans and Peter Pan Live! (He was Noddler). Not long after This Is Us season one, Chris played Taserface in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Through it all, he’s always made sure to have fun in the fashion department. (Toby’s suits will never not be up for discussion).

Madison (Caitlin Thompson)

Madison goes from frenemy to Kate’s unofficial maid-of-honour by the time the latter walks down the aisle to marry toby. Fun fact; actress Caitlin Thompson is married to This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman, which is why Madison and Kevin never got together on the show. “If you thought I was letting her date Justin Hartley on national television you’re nuts,” Dan wrote on Twitter after the season two finale.

Zoe, Beth’s cousin (Melanie Liburd)

As mentioned, the season two finale teased a trip to Vietnam for Kevin and Beth’s cousin Zoe, who photographed Kate and Toby’s wedding. There’s a display of romance (a kiss form Kevin), but the nature of their relationship is anyone’s guess at this point. This likely means more episodes for Melanie Librud, who was most recently on Netflix’s Gypsy. (She was also a red priestess on an episode of Game of Thrones.)

Sophie (Alexandra Breckenridge)

Kevin’s on-again-off-again girlfriend seems to be off for good after the events of season two, but you can still appreciate Alexandra’s work on her past shows, which include The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, and Dirt. She’s also voiced several characters on Family Guy (Christina Aguilera, Cybill Shepherd, to name a few).

William Hill (Ron Cephas Jones)

When did Ron Cephas Jones first make you cry on This Is Us? Was it when he first opened the door for Randall? When you found out he had a cat? Or when he went on that trip to Memphis with Randall? For his work as William, Ron has earned two Emmy nominations, and this is after more than two decades in show business. If you miss the sight of William (simply because it’s still not tie for season three), check out his other shows, including Luke Cage and Mr. Robot.

Dr. K (Gerald McRaney)

Dr. K’s words bout lemons will forever remain a pillar for the show, no matter how many season Dan Fogelman makes of This Is Us. Following the show’s first season, Gerald McRaney won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, am award he was nominated for again the following year. If his wise face looks familiar, it’s likely you’ve watched House of Cards, Deadwood, or the beloved ‘90s series, Touched by an Angel.

Linda, the social worker (Debra Jo Rupp)

The mom from That ‘70s Show and Phoebe’s sister-in-law on Friends has been guest starring as Deja’s social worker since season two. She’s also been playing Elisha Cuthbert’s mother on Netflix’s The Ranch.

Stanley Pearson, Jack’s father (Peter Onorati)

It’s unclear if Stanley will be back in flashbacks come season three, especially since the show is heading to Vietnam for more of Jack’s backstory. Stanley is played by long-time actor Peter Onorati, who can also be seen on S.W.A.T. (he’s one of the sergeants).

Janet, Rebecca’s mother (Elizabeth Perkins)

Playing someone who doesn’t get along with Mandy Moore is no easy task, but if anyone can do it, it’s the great Elizabeth Perkins. She sort of comes around, especially when it comes to showing interest in Randall (as shown on season two). Outside of This Is Us, Elizabeth has appeared on episodes of GLOW and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She most recently starred as the sweet tea- swigging town gossip Jackie in HBO’s Sharp Objects.

H/T Cosmo US