Grown-ish season 3 cast is expanding on Freeform. The show has recently added Ryan Destiny for a recurring role as production starts this week, while the final episodes of the second season are still airing on the cable network.
According to Deadline, Destiny is going to play a transfer student named Jillian who enrolls at Cal U to become a filmmaker. Her character is described as cultured, smart and worldly and she would fit right into the gang led by Zoey (played by Yara Shahidi) in Grown-ish season 3.
Jillian will have no problems making friends with the guys as well as she will be able to jive with Luca (played by Luka Sabbat) when it comes to music and art. She will also be able to match the enthusiasm of Aaron (played by Trevor Jackson) when it comes to activism and politics.
Destiny's casting comes at the right timing following the cancellation of her FOX musical drama Star. The actress confirmed in a post on Twitter that she is indeed going to be in Grown-ish season 3.
"Super excited. Love this show!" the actress wrote on her social media account. "Hopefully, I fit in okay."
Grown-ish had successfully surpassed the sophomore slump when Freeform renewed the show for a third season in February. The network gave the series another year as it's currently the number one comedy among female audience between 12 to 49 years old, per Variety.
It's still unclear what the third season will focus on, but Grown-ish has not been afraid to tackle pressing issues that affect today's youth, such as bullying, peer pressure, drug addiction, relationships, and sexual preferences. Expectedly, Grown-ish season 3 will also deal with more of the same problems plaguing millennials.
Meanwhile, Freeform recently came in defense of Grown-ish cast member Halle Bailey, who was recently announced as Disney's choice to play the lead role of Ariel in the live-adaptation of The Little Mermaid. The actress has been receiving criticisms for getting the part since the story is of Danish origin and she does not have the right skin color or heritage.
In an Instagram comment, the Freeform social media handle was on full force to justify Bailey's casting.
"The character of Ariel is a work of fiction," the post stated. "Choosing the incredible, sensational, highly-talented, gorgeous Halle Bailey is anything other than the INSPIRED casting that it is."
Despite her upcoming high-profile movie, Bailey will won't be leaving Grown-ish anytime soon as The Little Mermaid won't begin production until spring of 2020.
