Shrinking’s Jason Segel reveals how Michael J Fox joined the show and how they worked on “authentic” Parkinson’s storyline

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Jason Segel is known for playing characters who are going through emotional struggles, as seen in films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Muppets.

In the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, Jason Segel plays Jimmy Laird, a therapist who is dealing with personal problems while helping his patients.

The show has depicted Jimmy forming an unlikely friendship with the man who caused the accident that killed his wife – a role played by Brett Goldstein, one of the show’s creators. Meanwhile, we’ve also watched Jimmy cope with his coworker Paul Rhoades’s declining health as he battles Parkinson’s disease, portrayed by Harrison Ford.

But as series three comes to a close, what do real therapists make of his methods?

We talked about how the first season of Shrinking focused on dealing with grief, and the second season was about forgiveness. Now that the third season has finished, what central idea or message would you say it explored?

He’s overcome a difficult time, rebuilt his life, and is now starting over at 45. From my observation, recovering from a major life change is often much harder and more awkward than you expect. You might think you’re ready to move on – like going on a date – but things don’t always go as planned.

It was fun to work with Cobie Smulders again! We explored a possible future storyline featuring her character, Sofi, from How I Met Your Mother. What was it like reuniting on screen with her?

We were both young when we began working on the show – she was 23 and I was 25 – and I’d always hoped we’d have more opportunities to act together, as our characters didn’t share many scenes. The part wasn’t originally written for Cobie, but I felt our history would create an instant connection, making our characters, Jimmy and Sofi, feel like soulmates even though they were just meeting. It was especially meaningful to act opposite her after knowing her for 20 years, and realize we were both still working in the industry.

Do you still pinch yourself to be acting opposite Harrison Ford?

Starting to act so young, you quickly realize it’s a surprisingly emotional experience. When a fellow actor, Harrison, gave me a simple high-five for a good performance, it felt incredibly relieving, like a weight had been lifted. Things have really fallen into place! It’s a special feeling to share a scene as an equal with someone you’ve long respected – especially when it’s based on your work, not just luck. I feel very fortunate.

We recently had Michael J. Fox on the show, marking his return to acting after a five-year break. Can you tell us how that came to be?

Michael and Bill Lawrence, who first worked together on the 90s show Spin City, have been friends for a long time. Bill has supported Michael through his experience with Parkinson’s, and Michael was happy to appear on screen, even offering helpful advice on the show’s storyline. I was lucky enough to share a scene with him, and it was a real privilege to act alongside someone I’ve always admired.

How important was it to incorporate Michael’s authentic experience into the Parkinson’s storyline?

When dealing with serious topics, it’s important to get things right, and we have therapists advising us on the show. Seeing an actor like Harrison portray a character facing similar struggles feels like confirmation that we’re approaching the subject matter with sensitivity and accuracy.

Jimmy is known for being very straightforward with the people he treats. What do other therapists tell you about how he portrays their work?

People often call it simply wanting things to go your way. It’s frustrating when you see a clear solution for someone else, but you’re told not to offer advice. It’s a relief, though, to see a therapist give someone permission to finally end a difficult situation. It feels freeing for both the person receiving the advice and those who care about them.

Why has therapy historically been viewed with some skepticism in the UK, often seen as a practice more common in America?

Some people, especially in Britain, might see writing this as a bit self-absorbed – and it is, since I’m talking about myself! But we don’t think of hiring a personal trainer as self-indulgent, and I think it’s the same idea. It might just be a matter of changing how we think about getting help, because everyone needs it sometimes.

Do you feel it’s important to depict men’s vulnerabilities on TV?

Life will inevitably bring challenges you’re unprepared for. Art can be a tool for understanding complex emotions like love, loss, and getting older. The key to navigating these difficulties is open communication. Trying to cope with things on your own just makes life harder. I found that simply talking to my friends – particularly the men in my life – about life’s struggles helped me realize that everyone experiences these challenges.

How much of you is Jimmy and vice versa?

All my characters share aspects of my own personality, but Jimmy is especially close to me since I developed him entirely from imagination. I often play characters who act as a stand-in for the audience – it’s the kind of role I usually end up with.

Honestly, as someone who both writes and acts, and is lucky enough to have a show doing well on a major streaming platform, I can’t help but pay attention to big moves like Paramount potentially buying Warner Bros. It feels like everything’s changing so fast in this industry, and deals like that have a ripple effect on all of us. It makes you think about where the opportunities will be, and how we’ll all navigate this new landscape. It’s a little scary, but also kind of exciting to see what happens next, especially as someone trying to make a living telling stories.

I’ve found that the harder I try to write something commercially successful, the worse it turns out. I now focus on simply writing something I believe in, ignoring trends and what’s currently popular. I live on a farm and aim to create work that someone will want to bring to life. Trying to follow what’s already working always puts you a step behind. I’d rather be the one who champions a new idea and convinces others of its potential.

Authors

Robin Parker

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2026-03-30 19:45