Harrison Ford and Jason Segel star on Shrinking. Photos courtesy Apple TV +
I was fortunate to stop by Apple Fifth Avenue recently for a discussion with the cast of Shrinking on Apple TV+, starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford as therapists grappling with some issues of their own. The event was part of Apple’s free Today at Apple programming, offering daily in-store sessions to help participants unleash their creativity and go further with their devices.
In the first season, Segel’s character Jimmy Laird struggles with the loss of his wife in a car accident, while raising his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell.) His mentor, Ford’s Dr. Paul Rhoades, is dealing with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. Fleshing out the cast is Jessica Williams as Gaby, struggling with work and romantic boundary issues with Jimmy, and neighbors Derek (Ted McGinley) and wife Liz (Christa Miller) help Sean (Luke Tennie), a young vet dealing with PTSD, start a food truck.
Lukita Maxwell plays Alice, Jimmy’s (Jason Segel) daughter on Shrinking.
While the characters are still learning to cope with some serious issues-grief, disease, PTSD, parenthood, growing pains, Shrinking continues to strike a balance between addressing mental health issues, along with a big dose of humor, thanks to the stellar writing of Bill Lawrence, Neil Goldman and Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), who is also introduced in Season 2 playing a pivotal character. Segel is an executive producer.
Gaby (Jessica Williams) opens up to neighbor Liz (Christa Miller) about some things on Shrinking.
“Laughing through the most painful moments, and you’re crying with your friends, and within one scene those things will change…I think that’s the secret sauce of the show, cause that’s what life is like,” said Segel at the talk.
New episodes of Shrinking drop on Apple TV+ on Wednesdays.