‘This Is Us’ spoilers: Elizabeth Perkins cast as Rebecca’s mother

There is a new episode of “This Is Us” coming your way on NBC Thursday night, and in further preparation for that, why not hand down some of the latest casting news?

According to Entertainment Weekly, “Weeds” alum Elizabeth Perkins is going to be appearing in at least one episode coming up a little bit later this season, and will be doing so in the role of Rebecca’s mother on the series … at least in a specific period of time in which Mandy Moore’s character is an adult. You previously saw a different actress in the role for when Rebecca was younger.

We do suppose that one of the larger challenges for this series as a whole is dealing with what is in so many different ways a casting carousel, in having so many different actors stop by and appear as different versions of the same character. You have to therefore study up on different iterations, find out what mannerisms you think work and what don’t, and then figure out precisely what is going to work for you a little bit down the line. Given the non-linear nature of the show, one of the great things about booking a guest appearance is that your work is never officially done, given that there is always a reasonably good shot for you to be coming up down the road and playing the part again in a slightly different time period.

While we cannot give too much away about tonight’s episode, be prepared to head back to the 1990’s as we start to see another period in the life of Jack and Rebecca. You can check out a new promo for it right now just by heading over to the link here.

Meanwhile, be sure to come back later tonight to get some further news all about the series. (Photo: NBC.)