Actor Brett Goldstein, famously known for his role as Roy Kent on the Emmy-winning show Ted Lasso, is taking on new challenges as he transitions to Apple TV+’s Shrinking. The show, which features Jason Segel as Jimmy—a therapist coping with grief over his wife's death—has Goldstein not only acting but also serving as co-creator. For the second season, he steps outside his comfort zone, playing the character responsible for the tragic event: the drunk driver who caused his wife’s death.
Goldstein has openly discussed the gravity of his new character, stating, "Playing a drunk driver who's been responsible for this thing, I did loads and loads of research... We read lots of accounts of people on both sides of this thing happening and listened to lots of people's stories." He emphasized the importance of empathy and preparation: "Because it's the same process of empathizing with the character... when I was playing it, I just thought about PTSD. I know what it's like when you're in a car accident, it sort of loops in your head." The raw emotional depth required for this role has clearly been significant for Goldstein, who jokingly lamented the necessity of shaving his signature beard for the part, quipping, "I cried. I've had a beard my whole life. I was born with a beard."
But Goldstein’s role isn’t the only news from the world of Ted Lasso. John C. McGinley, who portrayed Dr. Perry Cox on the iconic series Scrubs, is reuniting with Ted Lasso’s showrunner Bill Lawrence on a new untitled HBO comedy series. McGinley worked alongside Lawrence previously, making this collaboration feel nostalgic and promising for fans. The series will star Steve Carell, known from The Office, and will include McGinley as the college president, Walter Mann.
This new project promises to explore complex relationships, particularly around Carell's author character and his daughter, who will be portrayed by Charley Clive. McGinley shared his excitement for returning to work with Lawrence, saying, "It’s always enjoyable to reunite with creative partners who share the same vision.”
The series is positioned to air for ten episodes, with the first episode penned by Lawrence and Matt Tarses. Both are also serving as executive producers alongside Carell. This collaboration signifies Lawrence's continued influence on the comedy genre, following his successes with both Scrubs and Ted Lasso, and his recent project Shrinking.
Adding to this, the long-anticipated Scrubs reboot is on the horizon, with Lawrence confirming intentions to revisit the iconic medical comedy he created. While details remain sparse, he expressed cautious hope for the series, stating, "If I thought it was a bad idea, I wouldn't do it. Creatively, if somebody said, ‘Do you want to pick Scrubs up right back at the same hospital with the same people on a normal day?’ No, I would not want to do it.” His aim is to reimagine the story beyond its original scope, infusing new life and perspectives.
For fans of both Scrubs and Ted Lasso, these developments illuminate the far-reaching impact of these beloved shows on their creators and actors. McGinley’s return as Dr. Cox ties directly to themes explored through his new character, bringing added continuity to Lawrence’s creative narrations. While the revival is set for sometime after 2025, the current projects show the enduring influence of Goldstein, McGinley and their peers.
While the release date for the HBO series remains unannounced, both creative projects, Shrinking and the untitled HBO comedy, signal vibrant new directions for the actors involved, keeping the spirit of Ted Lasso alive within their undertakings. With anticipation building, audiences continue to look forward to the rich narratives and humor these creators bring to the screen.