“This Is Us” Star Chris Sullivan Shares What’s In Store For Season 5

Jeff Lipsky/NBC

It was a turbulent and unsettling close to This Is Us Season 4 as horrible words were exchanged between Pearson brothers Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Kevin (Justin Hartley), over their mom Rebecca (Mandy Moore) sharing she would be moving to St. Louis to start a nine-month clinical trial for Alzheimer’s. At least things looked slightly positive for their sister Kate (Chrissy Metz) and her husband Toby (Chris Sullivan), who remained committed to trying to be the best parents they could be to their blind son Jack. We caught up with Sullivan, who became a first-time father himself this summer, to get the scoop on what’s in store for Season 5 (Tuesdays on NBC).

What can you share with us about Season 5 for Kate and Toby? How does Toby work on being a better dad to Jack and potentially another child?
Chris Sullivan: Being a “better dad” is such an ever-evolving process for Toby. I think we are all doing the best we can with the tools we have and Toby is always learning and collecting more tools, so I think it’s going to be fun to watch him evolve.

You welcomed your first son, Bear, this summer. How’s it been being a real-life daddy now?
Bear Maxwell is one of the most curious creatures I have ever encountered. He’s a real upbeat fella. He eats well. He sleeps well (for now). I’m really excited to have the opportunity to get to know him and to watch him grow. Rachel [his wife] and I are floating around on this cloud of exhaustion and fulfillment. It’s an all-natural, 100% biological high. I should not be operating heavy machinery.

Writer Dan Fogelman is so brilliant in weaving everyone’s stories together and leaving you stunned and/or an emotional wreck at the end of almost every episode. When you get your script, what’s your process? Do you read it by yourself first?
I read the script by myself first, to soak it all up. Then I share all the juicy details with Rachel. I usually sit down next to Chrissy on set and we have the “Can you BELIEVE THIS?!”conversation.

What’s been the episode that’s moved you the most to date and why?
I think the recent episode, where Randall faces the intruder in his house and starts to face his anxiety around keeping his family safe, has hit me HARD, in retrospect. With a new baby in the house, I’ve been extra concerned with everyone’s safety and security.

On a personal note, could you give us an update on your music? Still working with Mandy’s husband Taylor? Any of your music in upcoming episodes?
We have just announced that we will release my debut record as Joseph The Spouse on Nov. 19. The record is called Six Feet From Under and it was cowritten and produced by Dawes frontman (and Mandy Moore’s husband) Taylor Goldsmith. He and I have formed an amazing friendship that has spilled over into this very fulfilling creative collaboration. The album is packed with great songs and, yeah, hopefully they will be able to find a spot for one on the show. Time will tell. That would be a dream come true.