Shrinking Season 3 Returns With New Faces And Renewal

As the curtain rises on the third season of Shrinking, the Apple TV dramedy starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, fans are greeted with both familiar faces and fresh twists. Premiering on January 28, 2026, the new season not only brings back the core ensemble but also introduces a host of notable guest stars and, perhaps most excitingly for devotees, confirmation that a fourth season is already in the works. According to ABC Audio, Segel returns as the grieving therapist Jimmy, while Ford once again inhabits the role of Dr. Paul Rhoades, Jimmy’s mentor and colleague. The dynamic between these two leads—one a veteran of the screen, the other a comedic star navigating the world of drama—remains the beating heart of the series.

For Segel, the experience of sharing the screen with Ford is nothing short of extraordinary. “It’s the honor of a lifetime as an actor and all that,” Segel told ABC Audio, reflecting on his ongoing collaboration with the Hollywood legend. “I’m still three years in, I have moments where I’m pinching myself, like can you believe it?” Yet, it’s not just the professional proximity to Ford that Segel treasures. “The coolest part though is that he’s my friend, you know? And he gives me great advice and we have real talks and I feel like that’s been the best takeaway of this relationship.”

Ford’s mentorship extends beyond the script, offering Segel guidance on navigating the pressures of performance and self-doubt. As Segel recounts, “Harrison Ford has been a real voice in my ear of telling me, ‘Hey kid, you’re doing great. I think it’s time for you to tell that other voice to go hit the road.’ And that’s actually been a real relief.” The actor credits Ford’s words—and even his mere presence—for helping him silence his inner critic. “Whatever voice is trying to tell me I could have done better is being overruled by reality.”

This season, Segel hints, contains scenes that will stay with him forever. “We have done a couple scenes in season 3 towards the end of the season where I will remember doing them for the rest of my life. That—what a gift that is.” For viewers, these moments are set against the backdrop of a series that, while not a ratings juggernaut, has carved out a devoted following in the streaming era’s crowded landscape. As The Guardian observes, Shrinking is “an unapologetically soapy confection best enjoyed, like most sweet things, in moderation.”

The premise remains as compelling as ever. Per the official logline, the show “follows a grieving therapist (Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own.” Season three picks up with Jimmy at a crossroads: having forgiven the drunk driver who killed his wife at the end of season two, he now faces the challenge of rebuilding his life. But as the writers make clear, the path to healing is anything but straightforward. The season opens with Jimmy admitting, “Everyone around me seems to be so full of joy lately … I’m still getting knocked on my ass by the smallest things.”

The ensemble cast, a blend of returning favorites and intriguing newcomers, enriches the show’s tapestry. Alongside Segel and Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley reprise their roles. Guest stars Brett Goldstein, Damon Wayans Jr., Wendie Malick, and Cobie Smulders are back, while new faces Jeff Daniels, Michael J. Fox, Candice Bergen, Sherry Cola, and Isabella Gomez join the fray. According to Apple TV’s release schedule, the season will unfold over 11 episodes, with new installments dropping weekly through April 8, 2026.

This season, changes ripple through the characters’ lives. Paul’s Parkinson’s symptoms are worsening, shifting the mentor-mentee dynamic between him and Jimmy. “If you see me sinking,” Paul instructs Jimmy, “pull me up.” Meanwhile, Jimmy’s daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) heads off to college, leaving Jimmy to grapple with an “empty nest”—though not entirely empty, as former patient and military vet Sean (Luke Tennie) still resides in his pool house. The show’s focus on parent/child relationships deepens, particularly as Jimmy confronts his own fraught history with his father, played by Jeff Daniels.

Michael J. Fox delivers a standout performance as Gerry, a fellow Parkinson’s patient who brings both humor and poignancy to the storyline. As The Guardian notes, Fox’s character “quips that he might take up stunt work because of how frequently he falls over.” These moments of levity and vulnerability are emblematic of the series’ tone: warm, inoffensive, and at times unabashedly sentimental. The show doesn’t shy away from big emotions, though it sometimes risks laying on the schmaltz a bit thick. “There’s the potential for something profound here but, as with many parts of Shrinking, the schmaltz is often shovelled on so thick that it’s like you’re being told exactly what to feel and when,” the review observes.

The series’ depiction of therapy has sparked some debate. While Shrinking isn’t intended as a clinical manual, its portrayal of therapists who blur professional boundaries—showing up at bars for clients, socializing with patients, or swapping clients within the same practice—can stretch credibility. “While medical or legal dramas are often well-researched, Shrinking treats therapy as merely a synonym for conversation, and not particularly empathetic ones at that,” The Guardian points out. Still, the show’s heart lies in its exploration of relationships—between friends, colleagues, parents and children. Ensemble scenes crackle with quick wit and camaraderie, even as the characters overstep each other’s boundaries in ways both endearing and exasperating.

Despite its sometimes uneven tone, Shrinking continues to resonate with viewers who appreciate its blend of humor and pathos. The announcement of a fourth season signals Apple TV’s confidence in the series’ staying power, even if it hasn’t yet broken into the so-called “big leagues” of streaming hits. Seasons one and two remain available for streaming, offering newcomers a chance to catch up before diving into the latest episodes.

As Segel, Ford, and their talented castmates navigate the messy, unpredictable terrain of grief, healing, and human connection, Shrinking remains a testament to the power of ensemble storytelling—and to the enduring allure of seeing Hollywood legends and rising stars share the screen in moments both big and small.