Even Regina King Is Joining the Cast of This Is Us

As if fans weren’t already writhing in anticipation over the rapidly approaching return of This Is Us, the TV gods keep dropping tiny little morsels of information about Season 2 to leave us longing for more. This week, as an anticipation builder, we found out that Emmy-winning actor Regina King has signed on to the star-studded series.

Related story Gabrielle Union Says This Racist Tradition Is Why She Was Fired From AGT

More: Sylvester Stallone Cast for This Is Us Season 2, & Yes, It’s So Random

Don’t get too jazzed yet, guys. Naturally, we would all love to see King sharing the screen with the likes of Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown and, well, all of the amazing This Is Us stars who’ve perfected the art of making us ugly-cry while clutching a box of tissues every episode.

But, according to Variety, King has come on board for a behind-the-scenes role: director.

If you’re wondering where the American Crime actor finds the time for directorial work with such a successful front-of-the-camera career, you’re not alone — we’re right there with you wishing King would share her time management sorcery with us.

More: Did Mandy Moore Just Instagram a This Is Us Season 2 Spoiler?

King has been busy padding her résumé with plenty of choice director gigs, though. They began in 2013 with an episode of Southland, on which she also starred. Since then, her directing credits have included hit shows like ABC’s Scandal, BET’s Being Mary Jane and Showtime’s Shameless.

To say she’s in demand seems like an understatement. Yet, King has carved out the time to bring her keen eye to This Is Us, and we are here for it. Word has it that she is directing Episode 206, which is in pre-production now and will begin shooting next week.

More: Chrissy Metz’s Message of Self-Love Drowns Out All the Hate

“It’s an opportunity to be more involved in telling the story,” King told Variety last year about being behind the camera. “Having a little more control — that might have something to do with it.”

Here’s hoping that control steers This Is Us toward a Jack and Rebecca reconciliation or, you know, points us in the direction of finding out how Jack dies. Regardless, we’re looking forward to seeing the imprint of King’s unique perspective when the tearjerker series returns to TV on Thursday, Sept. 26.