Justin Hartley, who stars an Kevin on This Is Us, has much to celebrate — his breakout primetime series has been renewed for not one, but two more seasons by NBC.
Also, the show picked up the award for Favorite New TV Drama at last night’s People’s Choice Awards.
Soap Hub was on the scene at the TV Critics winter press tour in Pasadena this week and caught up with the actor following a panel Q&A for the show when he broke off to chat with a smaller group of select reporters.
Have you been getting a lot of support from the daytime fans who’ve followed you from The Young and the Restless [where you played Adam] to This Is Us?
Yes, which is great. They really don’t have to because everyone’s got a busy life. I had said to anyone who watched me [on Y&R] if you have time, check this out. I’m not going to let you down.
This is a great show, the best I’ve ever read. People are watching it, and they love it. I’m very thankful for that.
Were you pleased with how they wrote Adam off — he’s “dead,” but not necessarily dead.
Yeah. It’s not up to me. They do their thing, whatever is best for the show. However they want to run that over there [is fine].
They obviously know what they’re doing. It’s not about the character, it’s about the legacy of the show. So whatever they think is the best way to do that.
How will fans feel about where Kevin’s love life is headed on This Is Us? Is Olivia going to be a big part of that?
That’s a good question. I think [viewers] are going to love it. I think if I answered more I’d give away a very important plot point. [But] everybody will be really surprised. It’s not something you see coming.
It’ll explain a lot about how Kevin is the way he is. It’s massively heart-breaking. I think everyone’s going to enjoy it. There’s a huge payoff [coming]. He’s lost. He’s got these two girls, and he’s trying to figure it out.
It’s a really unique situation. I’ve never been in that situation. “Which girl am I going to pick?” Most guys don’t have that situation. [Laughs] For Kevin, it’s just another Wednesday, I guess.
He figures it out. He gets a little advice. It’s very This Is Us. It’s like in the pilot where you didn’t see it coming but if you re-watch the pilot it’s there in your face the entire time. That’s very much what happens with Kevin’s relationship.
Congratulations on the renewal. When did you find out about it?
Thank you. We found out today, right before we came out and did the panel [you can watch him and the cast find out in a video tweet below]. It feels good.
You never like to talk about these things before they happen. I don’t believe in jinxing things. [Wryly] I don’t think my mind can bend metal, but at the same time [because] the ratings are so good, I think it would have been a shock if we didn’t get picked up.
But you never like to talk about it before it happens. To get picked up for two seasons…that just doesn’t happen very much on network television. It certainly is a morale boost for the cast and crew.
You’ve played characters that someone else has taken over in the past — there was a second Fox on Passions, another Green Arrow after Smallville, granted in a new series. How do you feel about there someday being another Adam Newman on Y&R? Do you wish a potential successor well?
Yes. It’s a great part. It’s a daunting; it’s time-consuming. It’s a lead role on the show. You’re pushing so many storylines.
You’re hated!
[You are] if you’re doing it wrong.
Well, fans love to hate Adam.
I don’t think the character will be hated. If the actor does it wrong, he’ll be hated. I also knew [my portrayal of Adam] was going to be different; the way I’d do it would be different.
You made Adam more of a romantic leading hero.
Of course. But that allows you through that to earn all of the [bad things] that he does. You come back from all that. I wanted to give him a lot of heart. Plus, he died. He was on borrowed time.
You and Joshua Morrow (Nick) and other Y&R co-stars, keep up on social media, bantering with each other.
Yeah. They’re great.
How are things with Chrishell Stause (ex-Amanda, All My Children)?
Good. Things are good with her. We had a…continue reading on the next page —>
How are things with Chrishell Stause (ex-Amanda, All My Children)?
Good. Things are good with her. We had a blast at the Golden Globes [with This Is Us being nominated]. They say it’s an honor to be nominated. I always used to think “Eh, I want to win,” but when you’re in that company [being nominated is an honor]. Any of those shows could have won.
How are the dogs you two adopted?
They’re great, man. They’re figuring out where to pee and all that, so it’s good.
Any plans or acting projects for the hiatus?
We have four months off. We’re mulling over some things.
How far in advance do you know what’s happening next for your character?
We’re lucky; Dan [Fogelman, series creator] asks us what do want to know. I wish I were one of those cool actors who says I don’t want to know anything, but I want to know! I say give me everything you’ve got. So I know everything as far as he does!
Watch Hartley and his co-stars find out their show was renewed below.
The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Share your thoughts, leave a comment in the section below. Win exclusive member-only Y&R spoilers, prizes, and more: sign up here. Also, join the conversation on our Facebook page.
This is Us getting the good news!!! #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/pOJpqvTbPH
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) January 19, 2017
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