‘Shrinking’ Creator Envisions Potential Season 3 as Show’s Last

Shrinking creator Bill Lawrence has a three-season vision for the Apple TV+ comedy.

Set to return for Season 2 on Wednesday, October 16, Shrinking stars Jason Segel as Jimmy, a grieving therapist who adopts a radical form of therapy to help his clients and himself move forward with their lives. His work decisions bleed into his personal life — a likely thing to happen when your work family is also your chosen family.

Lawrence created the series with his fellow Ted Lasso alum Brett Goldstein. In a new interview all about his beloved TV hits like Ted Lasso and Scrubs and his new Vince Vaughn-led series Bad Monkey, Lawrence revealed that they pitched a short run for Shrinking and shared his outline for each season. Lawrence also shared the first details about Goldstein’s guest star role in Season 2.

“We had to pitch the beginning, middle, and end, and so we said the first year was about grief, the second year was about forgiveness, and the third year was about moving forward,” Lawrence told Variety, noting that while they pitched it as three seasons, the door isn’t closed on more.

“The way I approach it with actors is say I need at least three seasons to tell this story,” he said. “So, know this particular story will be over in three seasons. But if Apple’s interested in continuing on, no matter what the incarnation is and the main players are into it, I would without doubt go forward.”

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This sounds similar to what was said about Ted Lasso, which has danced back and forth with the possibility of a franchise continuation ever since Season 3 came to a close in May 2023.

Goldstein, who won two consecutive acting Emmys for Ted Lasso in 2021 and 2022, will be a noteworthy part of the Shrinking Season 2 cast, Lawrence revealed.

“I will say it is not quick,” Lawrence said of Goldstein’s upcoming arc. “You will know from the very first episode who he is. We’re not doing any spoilers, but it’s pretty cool.”

Shrinking also stars Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Luke Tennie, and Ted McGinley. Season 2 premieres with two episodes. Season 2 will be 12 episodes long, an increase from Season 1’s 10.

Shrinking, Season 2 Premiere, Wednesday, October 16, Apple TV+