Hit NBC drama "This Is Us" pairs heartwarming and heartbreaking stories in equal measure, and according to the actor who plays Toby, the character will get a steady helping of the latter during the upcoming third season.

In an interview with TV Insider at the NBC upfronts event, Chris Sullivan gave fans some clues about what they can expect from the affable character when new episodes debut. As loyal viewers know, season two ended with a flash-forward featuring Toby lying in bed, suffering from a debilitating bout of depression. The cause of that jarring shift will definitely be explored, Sullivan said.

"I'm looking forward for the audience to see both the light side and the side where he holds his pain and suffering," the actor told TV Insider. "I think through that, the audience will get a much more grounded view of who he is and why he is the way he is."

Toby is certainly a polarizing character, with some fans loving his outsized personality and penchant for grand romantic gestures, and others wincing at his try-hard demeanor. But Sullivan's comments make it clear that there are some underlying reasons for that behavior, and we're definitely curious to see how the show explains Toby's journey.

Also on the docket for season three is a deeper exploration of Jack's (Milo Ventimiglia) time in Vietnam. Sounds like "This Is Us" isn't planning on giving fans a break from upsetting storylines anytime soon.

Season three starts shooting this summer. "This Is Us" returns to NBC in the fall.

[via: TV Insider]