'American Crime' season 3 spoilers, cast rumors: Connor Jessup returns for season 3

Connor Jessup, the breakout star of "American Crime" season 2, is returning for the third season of the ABC anthology crime drama.

"Connor Jessup is one of the smartest and most talented young actors working today," "American Crime" executive producer Michael McDonald said in a statement. "John 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."

Following his critically acclaimed turn in "American Crime" season 2, Jessup has been busy with "Closet Monster," a drama film currently showing in Canada, and "Boy," a short film that he wrote, directed, and produced. The actor has also starred in "Blackbird" (2012) and "Skating to New York" (2014).

In the sophomore season of "American Crime," Jessup played the role of Taylor Blaine, a working class student who accuses the members of a championship basketball team from a private school of sexually assaulting him.

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Lili Taylor, who played Jessup's mom in season 2, will be returning for season 3. Taylor earned an Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category for her role as Anne Blaine in the show's second season.

"John and I are honored that Lili Taylor is returning to the cast of 'American Crime,'" McDonald said in a statement about Taylor's season 3 casting. "Lili consistently performs with her soul exposed, and we are so blessed that she has chosen to share that gift with us."

Apart from the announcement that Taylor will undergo a "physical and emotional transformation" for her role in season 3, no other details about her new role are known.

Jessup and Taylor will join fellow returnees Timothy Hutton, Felicity Huffman, Regina King, and Richard Cabral in season 3. The new season will reportedly be set in North Carolina and will tackle labor and social issues.

"American Crime" season 3 is scheduled for a midseason premiere on ABC in 2017.