From the brilliantly collaborative minds of Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking (2023) is the best comedy on TV right now. Sharp, deeply wholesome, and achingly transparent, it tackles narratives we don't often see on our TV screens, and it's also bursting with one of the best ensemble casts we've had since Ted Lasso (2020). It's not every comedy that is well-suited for every type of viewer, but there's something inherently human about Shrinking that makes it a must-watch for anyone who wants to laugh and cry, simultaneously.
Apart from the exceptional writing, Shrinking also shines because of its cast. I mean… Harrison Ford, doing comedy. Need I say more? Plus, it includes a few exceptional cameos I won't spoil, and Goldstein even comes in as an actor in Season 2 in a role that deserves to remain spoiler-free. With Shrinking Season 3 returning to Apple TV+, let's look back at some of the cast's most famous roles.
Harrison Ford as Paul
If you know no other actor in this cast, you know Harrison Ford. And the work that Ford brings to life as Paul in Shrinking is utterly breathtaking on all fronts. No character makes me laugh or cry as hard, and I'm sure I speak on behalf of every viewer when I say he's the best in the series. Plus, the gift of watching Ford do comedy after years of dramas and darker narratives is a gift in and of itself.
You likely know him as the scoundrel Han Solo from the Star Wars franchise, or maybe you watched Air Force One (1997) with your family years ago. His name is also synonymous with the Indiana Jones franchise and countless other classic figures with enormous legacies attached to their character, so really, we can talk for hours about his greatness.
One to watch: If you like Star Wars, try Blade Runner 2049 (2017) for another distinct approach to sci-fi with Ford in the lead.
Jason Segel as Jimmy
Jason Segel isn't new to comedy, but even if you're a fan of his work prior, nothing could prepare you for the depth and layers he brings to Jimmy Laird, a struggling therapist trying to navigate through the grief of losing his wife. Segel is at his absolute best in Shrinking, bringing to our screens some of the strongest performances to date in any comedy show.
You likely know and love him as Marshall from How I Met Your Mother (2005), and there's a surprise in Shrinking Season 2 with another fan-favorite actress from the show coming aboard. Or, maybe, Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) is one of your favorite comedy films. Regardless, Shrinking is, in every way, Segel's best role, and the one everyone should watch him in.
One to watch: If you like How I Met Your Mother already, try Shrinking for the lovely found family vibes.
Jessica Williams as Gaby
Prior to Shrinking, Jessica Williams guest-starred in a number of great films and TV shows, while also being one of the youngest correspondents on The Daily Show (1996). But if Williams isn't offered countless roles after Shrinking for her unbeatable comedic timing, then there's no justice in the world. Gaby is one of the three therapists on the show, and Williams consistently does an inimitable job bringing her to life.
If you appreciate how an actor like Harrison Ford can do movies like Star Wars and shows like Shrinking, then you'd be impressed to learn that Williams has a role in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) as Eulalie' Lally' Hicks. And if nothing else, it's worth watching to see how incredible her range as an actress is.
One to watch: If you like the Harry Potter franchise, try Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore for its amazing cast of characters.
Lukita Maxwell as Alice
Lukita Maxwell is the youngest actress on the show, but how she holds her own with legendary performers is no small feat. Maxwell is consistently the most impressive star as she layers Alice Laird with such incomparable depth to showcase what it's like to be the grieving daughter, trying to navigate through an already tumultuous time in a teen's life.
Prior to Shrinking, Maxwell starred in Generation (2021), a young-adult series centered around high school kids exploring sexuality while navigating through their individual lives. It's there that it became clear that Maxwell's gifts as an actress are ever-growing, but genuinely, what she delivers in Shrinking is on another level. She's the star you're going to be most impressed with, and the one whose career you'd like to follow afterward.
One to watch: If you like Sex Education (2021), try Generation for its approach to inclusivity and humor.
Christa Miller as Liz
Christa Miller isn't just a sensational comedy actress who can break you with a single look at the same time, but she's also the music supervisor on Shrinking, and if you're a fan of brilliant needle drops, Miller is wholly responsible for it. And even if many viewers were new to some of the cast on Shrinking, we all know Miller.
One word: Scrubs (2001). Yes, Christa Miller was on Scrubs, and she was utterly brilliant in it as Jordan Sullivan. You may have also watched her in Cougar Town (2009) or heard her voice acting in Clone High (2002). Miller's range is indescribable, and it's a fact that every character she brings to life is made entirely better because of her astounding understanding of all their idiosyncrasies.
One to watch: If you like Shrinking, try Scrubs for its writing style and similar comedy vibes.
Ted McGinley as Derek
From Happy Days (1974) to Married… With Children (1987), Ted McGinley, like Harrison Ford, is an absolute legend in Hollywood, with his long filmography overflowing with greats. Chances are, you've seen him in so many excellent properties that it's impossible to pick a favorite. McGinley's range is not only fantastic, but what he does with Derek alone is something few actors can master.
The character could've easily been comic relief, but instead, he's multifaceted and so well-written, you'll find yourself putting him in the top three of favorites. In many ways, Derek is the heart of the show, and that detail becomes more and more obvious as the seasons go on because of all the vulnerability he meshes so brilliantly with humor.
One to watch: If you like the dysfunctional family vibes of Arrested Development (2003), try Married With…Children.
Luke Tennie as Sean
One thing about Shrinking is that at some point, every character will make you cry, and you'll be grateful for it. And how Luke Tennie has layered Sean since Season 1 is no small feat. There's such a brilliance to his comedic timing and the ability to touch on moments of vulnerability that works so well; it makes the show special.
And while Tennie has been in a few properties before the show aired, it's where he'll go afterward that promises such a bright and compelling future. You may have recently spotted him as a new teacher on Abbott Elementary (2021), and we also know that he'll be appearing in The Pitt (2025) Season 2, so it's going to be fascinating to see how the role will differ from Sean.
One to watch: If you like Shrinking, try Abbott Elementary for a unique career setting.
Michael Urie as Brian
If you're a theatre nerd like me, then chances are you've seen or known about Michael Urie from the stage. But if you're also a big sitcom fan, then you've likely seen him in shows like Ugly Betty (2006) and Partners (2012). And like Derek, Brian could've easily been comic relief, but Urie brilliantly ensures that he's got plenty of layers to become a fan-favorite character.
The levity and warmth that Urie delivers as Brian is so incredible that he's consistently making sure we find new things to appreciate about the character. It's impossible to imagine the show without him, and how his arc improves throughout is so riveting to showcase the excellent writing on the show, too.
One to watch: If you like Christmas movies, try Single All the Way (2021) for a lovely romance and all the humor.
