Jimmy Smits is confirmed to return as Nero in Season 6 of Sons of Anarchy, with his character slated to appear in all 13 episodes.

Nero was introduced in Sons of Anarchy Season 5 as a gangbanger-turned-companionator (someone who brings other people together) who begins a close relationship with Katey Sagal's Gemma. Series creator Kurt Sutter expressed at the end of last season that he wanted to further explore this relationship, but that Jimmy Smits' busy schedule might be an obstacle. The actor has apparently made room for his return.

This is what Kurt Sutter had to say about the character and his relationship with Gemma back in December.

""I dig [them]. In the finale, when he's all twisted up about being back in the life, that's the thing that makes Gemma the most comfortable. She knows what to do with those kinds of men; she knows how to be strong for those kinds of men. So, what does that look like? It's a culture clash that we haven't explored yet. To plug her into that world, which is traditionally somewhat misogynistic, could be interesting to see played out a little bit and to see what that looks like. I'd love to keep that going."

Despite appearing in every new episode, the actor will not be billed as a series regular.

In related news, Donal Logue has been double-confirmed to return as Lee Toric, the former U.S. Marshall who becomes obsessed with taking down SAMCRO after Otto (series creator Kurt Sutter) kills his sister in prison. Kurt Sutter himself confirmed the news in December after the Season 5 final, revealing that he had a deal with Donal Logue for a total of 10 episodes. The actor appeared in three Season 5 episodes, so it's likely that Donal Logue will be appearing in at least half of Season 6.

Production on Season 6 is scheduled to begin this summer for an early fall premiere on FX.