In “Shrinking”, “How I Met Your Mother” star Jason Segel turns his life upside down after the death of his wife – which his colleague Harrison Ford is not exactly thrilled about. Starting today, Friday, the dramedy will be available on Apple TV+.
Superstar Harrison Ford is best known for his work on the big screen, during the course of which he has embodied no less than three absolutely iconic roles for the ages in Han Solo, Indiana Jones and Rick Deckard (not to mention his many other memorable parts). In the series business, however, he has – in contrast to many of his prominent colleagues – at best stopped by for guest appearances. But that is currently changing.
Since the end of 2022, he has been leading the cast of “1923”, the latest spin-off of the western hit “Yellowstone”, together with Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (the spin-off will be shown here in the coming months on Paramount+). And now Ford is coming straight round the corner with the next series lead role – but this time more in the comedy field, even if the tragicomic “Shrinking” definitely also strikes a few sad notes.
You can see for yourself now: “Shrinking” starts today, 27 January 2023, on Apple TV+. It will start with two episodes, the remaining eight episodes of the first season will follow in weekly intervals on Fridays.
THIS IS WHAT “SHRINKING” IS ABOUT
Harrison Ford plays the veteran therapist Paul in “Shrinking”, who takes on a kind of mentor role for his colleague Jimmy (Jason Segel), who is the real linchpin of the plot. Even a year after the death of his wife, Jimmy is still struggling with the heavy loss.
Disillusioned with life and his job, he even neglects the people he loves, especially his teenage daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell). One day, during a therapy session, he blows his top and achieves an astonishing breakthrough, but from then on he decides to tell his patients what he thinks, regardless of whether it violates any ethical rules. In doing so, he repeatedly offends those around him, but often also changes the lives of those around him – and his own at the same time.
FROM THE “SCRUBS” AND “TED LASSO” CREATOR
The premise of “Shrinking” is somewhat reminiscent of Ricky Gervais’ Netflix secret tip “After Life”, even if everything here is likely to develop quite differently simply because of the different context and the American coating. In addition to Harrison Ford as a selling point, the trio behind the scenes also makes you want to see the new series.
The drama was created by leading actor and “How I Met Your Mother” star Jason Segel, “Scrubs” creator Bill Lawrence and actor and writer Brett Goldstein. The latter two have also worked as writers on the acclaimed Apple hit “Ted Lasso” (one of the best series ever for us right now), where Goldstein is also part of the ensemble in front of the camera in the fan-favourite role of grumpy Roy Kent.
Those who prefer to see Harrison Ford on the big screen rather than at home will soon have ample opportunity to do so. In “Indiana Jones and the Call of Destiny” he will be wielding the archaeologist’s whip for the fifth time from 29 June 2023, before making his double MCU debut in 2024 and following in the footsteps of the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in “Captain America 4: New World Order” (cinema release: 1 May) and “Thunderbolts” (cinema release: 24 July).
