Great news for fans of Apple TV+’s heartwarming (and occasionally outrageous) comedy: “Shrinking” is officially renewed for Season 3, and this next chapter looks like the show’s most ambitious yet. Just one day after Season 2 premiered, Apple gave the green light—doubling down on a series that’s not just critically acclaimed but also becoming one of the most emotionally resonant comedies in streaming.
And Season 3? It’s not just back—it’s leveling up.
Star-Studded Casting: Michael J. Fox, Jeff Daniels, and More
In one of the most talked-about casting surprises this year, Michael J. Fox is returning to acting with a guest role in “Shrinking” Season 3. This marks his first on-screen appearance since 2020 and brings a deeply personal connection—Fox’s journey with Parkinson’s disease helped shape Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Dr. Paul Rhodes, and his role in Season 3 is being positioned as a moving reflection of resilience and advocacy.
Also joining the cast is Jeff Daniels, who will play Jimmy’s father. It’s a major addition that promises more depth and backstory for Jason Segel’s character. Daniels, known for his emotional range and gravitas, adds even more prestige to an already powerful ensemble.
Sherry Cola and Isabella Gomez are also confirmed to appear in Season 3, hinting at fresh dynamics and maybe a few shakeups in the personal lives of the characters we love.
Candice Bergen, a television legend in her own right, is set to appear as well—making Season 3 easily the most star-packed installment yet.
Filming and Release Window
Filming for Season 3 kicked off in February 2025, primarily in Pasadena and Altadena, California, the same neighborhoods that give the series its grounded suburban charm. Production is moving quickly, and while Apple hasn’t confirmed a premiere date, a Fall 2025 debut is widely expected—likely in the September–October window.
The Creators Hint at What’s Next
Showrunner and co-creator Jason Segel recently revealed that while “Shrinking” was originally conceived as a three-season arc, the creative team is leaving the door open for a potential Season 4. “We’ve already planted some Easter eggs in Season 3,” Segel teased, pointing toward new character journeys and lingering emotional threads that could carry forward.
Season 3’s central theme is all about “moving forward”—not just in therapy, but in life. Expect more growth, more heartbreak, and yes, plenty more wildly awkward comedic moments.
And according to Jessica Williams, who plays Gaby, the upcoming season may feature “the dirtiest thing that’s ever been put on television.” Whether that’s metaphorical, emotional, or literal… well, we’ll find out this fall.
Why Shrinking Keeps Growing
“Shrinking” stands out in Apple TV+’s library by perfectly blending raw emotional honesty with sharp, often absurd humor. It’s no surprise it received multiple Emmy nods and widespread praise from both critics and fans. With Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso), Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein at the helm, the series keeps finding new ways to evolve while remaining incredibly human.
Apple’s early renewal signals not just confidence, but a desire to keep nurturing this uniquely heartfelt show in a streaming landscape that often feels disposable.
Quick Recap: Shrinking Season 3 At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Renewal Status | Officially renewed for Season 3 |
| Premiere Window | Expected Fall 2025 (likely September or October) |
| Filming Location | Began February 2025 in Pasadena/Altadena, California |
| New Cast Additions | Michael J. Fox, Jeff Daniels, Candice Bergen, Sherry Cola, Isabella Gomez |
| Returning Cast | Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Lukita Maxwell, and more |
| Themes | Growth, grief, resilience, family—plus some off-the-wall humor |
| Future Seasons? | Possibly! Segel hints Season 3 includes setup for Season 4 |
Season 3 promises to build on the emotional highs and lows of its predecessors while introducing enough twists—and guest stars—to keep things fresh. Whether you’re here for the therapy breakthroughs, the awkward overshares, or just Harrison Ford grumbling in a cardigan, Shrinking is only getting better.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV+ renewed “Shrinking” for a third season just a day after season 2 premiered. That’s some real confidence in the show.
- Michael J. Fox and Jeff Daniels are coming aboard for S3, with Daniels taking on the role of Jimmy’s father.
- The Emmy-nominated series keeps building on its strengths—fresh stories, new faces, but still the same blend of heart and humor.
Shrinking (S3) on Apple TV+: Key Details and Cast
So, “Shrinking” is coming back, and people are genuinely hyped. The show follows therapist Jimmy Laird as he stumbles his way through grief and healing—sometimes with questionable advice, but always with a lot of heart (and laughs).
Premiere Date and Renewal Status
Apple gave the green light for season 3 back in October 2024—even before S2 had finished airing. That’s a pretty strong vote of confidence.
Filming is already underway, so things are moving. There’s no official premiere date yet, but if you look at past seasons, early or mid-2026 is a pretty safe bet.
Apple TV+ usually drops new seasons of its hits every year, but production schedules can get weird. Still, “Shrinking” is being pitched as one of their flagship comedy-dramas, so don’t expect it to fall off the radar.
Main Cast and Characters
The main crew is sticking around for S3. Jason Segel is back as Jimmy Laird, the therapist who’s not exactly following the rulebook. Harrison Ford returns as Dr. Paul Rhodes, Jimmy’s mentor, still dealing with Parkinson’s in his own gruff way.
Jessica Williams is back as Gaby, the therapist who somehow keeps things grounded. Luke Tennie returns as Sean, who’s still working through his anger issues. You’ll also see:
- Michael Urie as Brian
- Lukita Maxwell as Alice Laird (Jimmy’s daughter)
- Christa Miller as Liz
- Ted McGinley as Derek
The chemistry between this group is honestly one of the best things about the show. Jimmy’s journey—balancing his own grief with his unconventional therapy methods—remains at the center.
Guest Stars and Notable Additions
Season 3 is upping the ante with some pretty wild guest stars. Michael J. Fox is joining in a role that’s still under wraps. Given the Parkinson’s storyline for Ford’s character, Fox’s involvement feels especially meaningful.
Jeff Daniels is coming in as Jimmy’s dad, which should shake things up for Jimmy’s already complicated life. Plus:
- Sherry Cola (role not revealed yet)
- Isabella Gomez is also joining
These new faces are bound to stir things up at the therapist’s office and in everyone’s personal lives. Fox’s casting, in particular, feels like a big deal—his real-life advocacy for Parkinson’s and his return to acting just makes it more poignant.
Production and Creative Team
The creative team hasn’t changed much—Bill Lawrence is still steering the ship as showrunner and executive producer. He co-created “Shrinking” with Brett Goldstein and Jason Segel, drawing on his experience from “Ted Lasso” and “Scrubs.”
Warner Bros. Television is handling production. Matt Cherniss, Apple TV+’s programming boss, has been vocal about his support for the show, which probably explains why the renewal happened so fast.
The writers keep walking that fine line between comedy and emotion—classic Bill Lawrence. Filming is happening in and around Los Angeles, which, honestly, feels like another character in the show at this point.
Themes, Storylines, and Series Impact
“Shrinking” keeps digging into mental health with its signature mix of awkward laughs and real emotion. The show’s never been afraid to show therapists as flawed people, which is probably why it feels so relatable.
Narrative Focus and Thematic Exploration
Season 3 is supposed to go even deeper into themes like grief, forgiveness, and what it means to heal. The show’s always been good at balancing heavy stuff with humor, and they’re not shying away from tough topics.
Jimmy’s journey is still front and center—he’s still working through his own stuff while helping patients who aren’t that different from him. His therapy style keeps evolving, shaped by his own messy experiences.
Emotional maturity and second chances are still big themes. Characters keep dealing with the fallout from their pasts and looking for ways to move forward.
The show handles Parkinson’s disease thoughtfully through Dr. Paul Rhodes (Harrison Ford), giving viewers a look at living with a chronic condition without letting it define the character completely.
Connections to Other Series and Inspirations
“Shrinking” definitely shares DNA with “Ted Lasso”—that same mix of humor and heart, tackling mental health without getting too heavy-handed. There are echoes of “Scrubs” too, with its blend of workplace comedy and real emotion. You might even catch a little “Spin City” vibe in the way it handles office politics and personal messes.
Jason Segel brings his signature comedic timing but adds a lot more depth here. Harrison Ford, meanwhile, shows a vulnerability that’s pretty new for him.
With Michael J. Fox and Jeff Daniels joining, the show’s drawing on talent from “Family Ties,” “The Good Wife,” and beyond. That’s only going to add more layers to the cast.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
Critics keep praising “Shrinking” for its honest take on therapy and mental health. The character development feels real, and the writing never talks down to the audience.
Harrison Ford’s performance as Dr. Rhodes is getting a ton of attention. Emmy voters even visited the set recently to check out his work.
The dialogue feels natural, not forced, which is probably why the writers keep getting nods in comedy categories.
What sets “Shrinking” apart is how it tackles big issues with both humor and sincerity. It’s proof that audiences want shows that aren’t afraid to get real, even when things get messy.
Exploring Key Issues and Representation
The show doesn’t sugarcoat therapy—it shows the good, the bad, and the awkward. Therapists here are just as messed up as their patients sometimes, which honestly feels refreshing.
Mental health struggles are shown without judgment. Characters have setbacks, they mess up, and sometimes they get better. It’s not a straight line, and that’s what makes it relatable.
Season 3 promises to dig even more into Jimmy, Alice, and the rest of the crew, especially how their relationships change under stress and as they try to heal.
Family dynamics are front and center, especially with Jimmy and his daughter Alice. Their bond shows how grief and recovery hit different generations in different ways.
The show’s also good about showing lots of different experiences with trauma and recovery, so there’s a little something for everyone to connect with.
Frequently Asked Questions
People have a lot of questions about what’s next for this quirky, therapy-focused comedy. Here’s what’s out there so far for “Shrinking” season 3 on Apple TV+.
When is the release date for Season 3 of Shrinking on Apple TV+?
There’s no official release date yet for Season 3.
Filming kicked off in spring 2025, so things are in motion.
If the past is anything to go by, early 2026 is a decent guess for when we’ll see new episodes—but nothing’s set in stone.
Who are the new cast members in the third season of Shrinking?
Season 3 is adding some serious star power. Michael J. Fox and Jeff Daniels have both signed on.
They’ll join Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, and Christa Miller, who are all coming back.
We don’t know much yet about their characters, but you can bet their arrival means fresh storylines and maybe some new therapy dynamics.
How many episodes are there in Shrinking Season 3?
Apple TV+ hasn’t confirmed the episode count for S3.
The first two seasons had 10 episodes each, so it’s likely we’ll see something similar—unless plans change.
Some fans are worried after hearing the budget might have been slashed during production, which could mean fewer episodes or some changes.
Can I find the official trailer for Shrinking Season 3 online?
Nope, there’s no trailer for Season 3 yet.
Since filming just started, a trailer probably won’t drop until much closer to release—maybe late 2025 or early 2026.
In the meantime, there are behind-the-scenes clips and interviews floating around if you want a sneak peek.
Has Shrinking been renewed for a third season on Apple TV+?
Yes, “Shrinking” is officially coming back for Season 3.
The announcement came after S2’s success—critics and fans both seem to love it.
The main cast is returning, so expect more of the same mix of therapy, grief, and awkward personal growth.
Is Shrinking Season 3 available to stream on platforms other than Apple TV+?
Nope, Shrinking is actually an Apple TV+ original, so you’ll only find it on their streaming platform.
If you’re hoping to catch Season 3 when it drops, you’ll need an Apple TV+ subscription—there’s really no way around it.
So far, there haven’t been any announcements about it showing up on other streaming services or platforms. Maybe that’ll change someday, but for now, it’s just Apple TV+.
