The Irrational Casts Alec's [Spoiler] In Season 2 (Exclusive)

Prepare to meet one more branch of the Mercer family tree: The Irrational has cast Alec and Kylie's father, TVLine has learned exclusively.

Prolific character actor Ron Canada (Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, The Good Fight) will play Eli Mercer in Season 2. His first episode is tentatively slated to air Feb. 4.

Season 1 of the NBC drama ended with Alec (played by Jesse L. Martin) learning exactly who was responsible for the bombing that nearly killed him decades before. After that season-long mystery wrapped, a six-week time jump took viewers to the moment when Alec's love interest, Rose (Karen David), got a flat tire. As a conveniently parked tow-truck driver approached, two of his cronies joined him; they pulled a sack over Rose's head and tossed her in the back of a van, then sped away from the scene. (Read a full recap.)

Detail-minded fans of the show will recall that in Episode 11, Alec made reference to his father when he wanted to keep sister Kylie safe during a dangerous investigation. "I think you should lay low for a bit. Go down to Norfolk, stay with Dad," he said. (She refused.)

Might we meet more Mercers in the weeks to come? "We do have plans to see that in Season 2 to get to know more of our characters' family members, including Alec's family members," showrunner Arika Lisanne Mittman told TVLine at the end of Season 1.

Canada has amassed dozens of TV credits over the years, including recent appearances on Girls5eva, East New York and The Equalizer. He's also popped up in films such as Ted 2 and Wedding Crashers.

The Irrational returns for Season 2 on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 10/9c. (See the full fall TV calendar here.)