American Crime Is Bringing Back Its Secret Weapon for Season 3

ABC's American Crime has always been known as ripe territory for fantastic performances, and the stellar second season definitely padded the acting reels of the show's cast. But as good as Timothy Hutton, Regina King, Felicity Huffman and the rest of the regulars were -- and they were outstanding -- there was one performance from an unlikely source that stood out.

Connor Jessup, who played a high schooler struggling with his sexuality and was the victim of sexual abuse in Season 2 of American Crime, drew raves for his brave and conflicted performance, and he'll be coming back for Season 3, TV Line reports.

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"Connor Jessup is one of the smartest and most talented young actors working today," American Crime executive producer Michael McDonald said in a statement. "[Creator] John [Ridley] and I believe Connor's performance will be even more emotionally shocking than last year as his character helps shed new light on the opiate addiction epidemic that is plaguing America."

Season 3 of the anthology drama will be set in North Carolina and focus on labor issues. The 22-year-old Jessup joins American Crime returnees Hutton, Huffman, King, Richard Cabral and Lili Taylor for the third season. Previously, Jessup starred on TNT's Falling Skies.

American Crime's third season is expected to debut in early 2017.