Hanlon first appeared on the Emmy-winning series in February. "My character's name is Steven and I'm part of the new gay couple that moves in the neighborhood. Needless to say I am super excited," Hanlon told Playbill.com at that time.

His character Steven will now be an officially recurring one, first reappearing in the Halloween episode, "Open House of Horrors," which airs Oct. 24.

In the upcoming episode, according to press notes, "Claire has overdone it in Halloweens past and the neighbors definitely don't share her enthusiasm, so this year she's being forced to tone it down and keep it 'kid-friendly,' and Phil has an idea to hold an open house on Halloween night. Meanwhile, Mitch and Cam host a costume party while contending with Lily wondering who her real mom is, and Gloria's pregnancy hormones are on overdrive, making her even more hotheaded than usual."

Colin Hanlon was seen on Broadway in Rent, Off-Broadway in I Love You Because and in the first North American tour of Wicked. He can also be seen in the web series "Submissions Only."

"Modern Family" airs Wednesday nights on ABC at 9 PM ET; check local listings.