Justin Hartley talks juggling ‘This Is Us’ with ‘The Young and the Restless’

(L-R:Chrissy Metz as Kate, Justin Hartley as Kevin in “This Is Us” Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBC)

Justin Hartley is one of the stars of the highly anticipated NBC fall series “This Is Us” also starring Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown, Chris Sullivan, Susan Kelechi Watson and Ron Cephas Jones also star.

Given the Emmy nominated actor has had a lead story for the past year as Adam Newman on the CBS daytime drama, “The Young and the Restless,” how will he or can he juggle the two roles?

On Adam’s story that’s currently airing, Hartley couldn’t say much. He didn’t want to give anything away storywise. Hartley says that the question of whether or not he can work on both shows at the same time. the decision would be up to the networks. 

In “This Is Us,” Hartley plays Kevin, an actor in the middle of a season of a highly successful television series, who suddenly quits. It was something that once he read that he was proud to work on.

“I got word of the script from a friend of mine who had read it,” Hartley said at the show’s NBC Press Tour panel. “He asked if I knew Dan Folgelman – he said that ‘I think he wrote you.'”

Hartley’s Kevin has a friend in Chrissy Metz who plays Kate, a character who is struggling with weight issues.

“When you are in the audition process, it’s all about you and what you are going through,” Hartley said after the panel. “In this case, I was already cast so I got a wonderful opportunity to read with her and I thought, this girl is fantastic. It’s been amazing. I’m curious to see what they do with the relationship. I know a few things which are wonderful.”

NBC describes “This is Us,” as a refreshingly honest and provocative series follows a unique ensemble. As their paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways, we find that several of them share the same birthday, and so much more than anyone would expect. From the writer and directors of “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” comes a smart, modern dramedy that will challenge your everyday presumptions about the people you think you know.

Catch “This Is Us” airing this fall on NBC.