The third season of NBC’s hit television series ‘This Is Us’ is heating up as more secrets are revealed, and as the audience dives deeper into the Pearsons’ past!
As the show continues to follow the lives and connections of the Pearson family across several time periods, the fans have become even more invested. At times, the Pearson family can seem like our own. The characters have become so familiar to us, as has the famous Pearson home. The Knockturnal was able to get an exclusive visit of the set on the historic Paramount lot in Los Angeles, CA.
Initially, I was surprised to find out that the quaint, childhood home of the Pearsons was not located on some beautiful, suburban street in Pittsburgh, PA. But, was actually located on a Hollywood studio lot in Los Angeles, CA. However, after the initial shock wore off, and I stepped into the well-known home where Jack, Rebecca and the Big Three shared countless memories – I immediately felt that I was in the home of a friend. The house was set in the 90s which gave me all the throwback feels. First stop, the living room! I made myself at home as I laid across the comfy, big couch that Randall, Kate and Kevin spent so much time on. As I looked around, I saw nothing out of the ordinary, it really resembled the typical household. Old magazines were spread out on the center table, Nintendo plugged into the TV, hand written “to do lists” taped on the shelves and most importantly, Rebecca’s piano that holds so much meaning to her.
Pearson Home
Down the hallway were family photos of the Pearson’s from their wedding day to Rebecca’s pregnancy pictures and several monumental moments in their lives. The hallway led to the kitchen where many of the “talks” are had between Rebecca and Jack but the infamous crockpot that ultimately led to the end of the Pearson home was nowhere to be found. However, I was able to find the Big Three height chart that was taped on the inside of the kitchen pantry door. The height chart tracked the Pearson siblings’ height over the years and the child like writing just made it that more special. There was such beautiful attention to detail and making sure that the home felt as such, a home that was truly lived in. So much that on the kitchen counter was mail addressed to Jack or Rebecca and even unanswered voicemails on the answering machine. Unfortunately, the set didn’t have any bedrooms because the rooms are located upstairs which is an entirely different set. I was able to check out the living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and hallway which made the Pearson family seem even more real.
As I slowly made my rounds and finally exited the welcoming home, I was led out into a replica of the front yard where guests were able to mix and mingle with the cast including Chrissy Metz, Sterling K. Brown, Susan Kelechi Watson, Melanie Liburd, and Justin Hartley. Check out what Metz and Hartley had to say about their characters and upcoming surprises!
The Knockturnal: Kate has been so “stable” this season, I’m wondering if she will have a big blow out soon?
Chrissy Metz: In true This Is Us fashion, peaks and valleys, just like life. I think that’s sort of what the show teaches us, like how to live our lives on life’s terms which is hard, very hard.
The Knockturnal: How do you feel about that second SAG award?
Chrissy Metz: Oh my God how exciting! Did you see my reaction? Last year Sterling ripped his jacket because he jumped up so high, which is impressive. This year I just really didn’t think it was going to happen. I’m like, let’s just go and have a good time, like we’re in the conversation. But I reacted like a crazy football mom whose child never ever scored a touchdown. I was like [mimics shouting]. I saw the playback and I was like, okay, it was honest and that’s all I can hope to be is honest. It was really exciting, really cool. It means something really different when you can share it with the people you love, it’s a completely different thing.
The Knockturnal: Are there any teasers you can give us for the rest of the season?
Chrissy Metz: We’re definitely going to see those peaks and valleys. Here’s the thing, I want to keep my job and you want me to keep my job because you are all going to want to see what happens. It’s not what you expect and it’s not going to be easy to move through.
The Knockturnal: Phylicia Rashad is joining this season, have you gotten to work with her?
Chrissy Metz: I have not but I’ve heard incredible things so I’m excited to see! I’m sort of like an audience member, I’m really like just a fan.
The Knockturnal: How do people respond to you on the street nowadays?
Chrissy Metz: Any way possible. Whether they’re telling their deepest, darkest secrets or they’re sharing that a particular storyline changed their lives or that they can relate to me. Any single way that you can imagine is what happens.
The Knockturnal: As an actor, were you worried about Kate losing the baby again?
Chrissy Metz: I think because it was always in the back of her [Kate] mind, I think it’s always in the back of the writers’ minds, but I think they specifically said, I think that people will kill us if the baby dies. He’s like, it cannot be all terrible, awful things for Kate and Toby and I was like, that’s right! It’s not going to be easy but there is joy at the end of the tunnel.
The Knockturnal: Kevin has had so much growth this season. Can you describe where his headspace is right now with all that’s going on?
Justin Hartley: He’s doing a lot. He’s fresh out of rehab and decided it’s a good idea to get involved and have a girl move in with him and fall in love but he’s not giving himself time to take care of himself. He set himself up for devastation without really knowing it.
The Knockturnal: Do you think Nicky’s unwillingness to accept Kevin’s help adds to the devastation?
Justin Hartley: I think so. I don’t know if it’s that necessarily or just seeing how he was and where his dad left him and the disappointment and anger that he had about his dad and all that. These unresolved things that he’ll never get the answer to because he can’t talk to his father obviously. But I think that’s what it was. He just got overwhelmed and didn’t have anyone to call and talk to, talk through it. It’s that feeling of being alone, desperate and helpless.
The Knockturnal: Kevin seems like he’s spiraling downhill. What do you think can help him recover or is recovery possible?
Justin Hartley: I think he’s gotta open up and let people in, just spill it all out there and just say, this is what happened, this is where I am and I need help. He’s got people around him that will help. There’s no one around that’ll be like, no we’re good. I mean he’s got his mom, his brother, his sister, Toby, other friends, Zoe, these people will help him and they’re good people. He’s earned their help but he’s got to be brave enough to do that.
The Knockturnal: Ever since Kevin started struggling with addiction, have you heard any feedback from your fans about how addiction is portrayed or any personal stories?
Justin Hartley: Yeah that was the main thing is that I wanted to do it right. I have friends that have gone through stuff like that and it’s really dark and alone and depression and mental health issues and things like that, it’s very common and we’re fragile. We’re delicate, fragile, emotional beings and we are easily injured. Sometimes you’re not bleeding and sometimes bones aren’t broken but those are the easiest ones because you just put a cast on it or kiss it and it feels better, throw a little dirt on it but you can’t really do that with your brain or heart so that’s where this guy hurts and you can’t always see it and so I wanted to make sure that we did it right and I feel like we did. Now with this whole relapse thing, those things really happen, it doesn’t just go away, it’s every day for the rest of his life. He’s still in it. This is a reminder, I think.
