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Eric Forman’s mom from That ’70s Show will help Beth and Randall with their adoption

By Reed Gaudens

Photo Credit: This Is Us/NBC, Acquired From NBCUniversal Media Village
Photo Credit: This Is Us/NBC, Acquired From NBCUniversal Media Village /
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Debra Jo Rupp joins the cast of This Is Us for Season 2, and the That ’70s Show alum will play an important role for Beth and Randall.

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When This Is Us returns for Season 2 in September, the Pearsons will be joined by a very familiar face. Entertainment Weekly reports that Debra Jo Rupp, otherwise known as Eric Forman’s (Topher Grace) mom Kitty, has signed on for a key role in Beth and Randall’s conversation to adopt a child. Even though the That ’70s Show star is no stranger to a period piece, she won’t be flashing back in time on This Is Us.

In the present day timeline on the smash-hit series, Rupp will play Linda, a social worker aiding Beth and Randall through the process of adoption — or whichever option their compromise has led them to pursue. Rupp will appear in a multiple episode arc, and creator Dan Fogelman tells EW that Linda provides a fair amount of knowledge to the overwhelmed couple: “She’s lovely — but also somebody who’s been doing this and knows the reality of it all.” But should we read into Rupp’s character being a social worker rather than the requisite adoption agency representative we have encountered countless times on TV?

Considering Sterling K. Brown’s own comments to EW about the adoption, we should. Brown hinted that the couple won’t be seeing eye-to-eye on their family’s future but will arrive at a compromise that finds them moving in the same but different direction than Jack and Rebecca. Given Linda’s job title, Beth and Randall’s compromise could in actuality be fostering a child, as we predicted. However it may unfold, we’ll surely be surprised and sobbing.

Next: This Is Us season 2 spoilers: Sterling K. Brown previews adoption compromise

Rupp most recently guest starred on former That ’70s Show co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson’s Netflix comedy The Ranch and performed in This Is Us writer Bekah Brunstetter’s play Cake. She, of course, also played Phoebe’s sister-in-law and the mother of triplets on Friends. But if anyone can get Beth and Randall to agree on the right move for their family it’s the lovable Kitty Forman. Welcome to This Is Us, Debra Jo Rupp!

Are you excited to see her guest role? Let us know in the comments!

This Is Us returns for Season 2 on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9/8c on NBC.

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