Shrinking season 3 is officially on the calendar — Apple TV will debut the new installment on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, with a one‑hour premiere, then roll out new episodes weekly through April 8, 2026. The returning comedy from creators Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein also unveiled first‑look photos and confirmed new guest stars Michael J. Fox and Jeff Daniels.
Apple’s synopsis for the show captures the core premise: “Shrinking follows a grieving therapist 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 3 continues that journey with a stated theme of “moving forward.”
Release plan, episode count, and key dates
- Premiere date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (one‑hour episode).
- Schedule: One new episode every Wednesday through April 8, 2026.
- Season length: 11 episodes.
Apple shared these specifics alongside first‑look images of Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, and Jessica Williams back on set for Shrinking season 3.
Cast and creators: every confirmed name
The ensemble and creatives confirmed across the same‑day coverage include:
- Creators: Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, Brett Goldstein.
- Main cast: Jason Segel (Jimmy Laird), Harrison Ford (Dr. Paul Rhoades), Jessica Williams (Dr. Gaby Evans), Christa Miller, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Ted McGinley.
- Returning guest stars: Damon Wayans Jr., Wendie Malick, Cobie Smulders, Brett Goldstein.
- New guest stars: Michael J. Fox, Jeff Daniels.
- Additional names in first‑look reporting: Devin Kawaoka, Isabella Gomez, Candice Bergen, and Louis (the character portrayed by Brett Goldstein).
First‑look story teases
New season‑3 images show Jimmy Laird and Dr. Paul Rhoades back together; Dr. Gaby Evans dancing with Derrick (Damon Wayans Jr.); and more of the series’ found‑family dynamic.
Coverage also flags where the ensemble is headed: Brian (Michael Urie) and Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) begin a parenting journey, Sean (Luke Tennie) builds his business, and Paul continues to navigate Parkinson’s — with help from a guest turn by Michael J. Fox.
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Direct quotes: Michael J. Fox and Harrison Ford
Michael J. Fox explained how his involvement began after seeing Harrison Ford’s character’s diagnosis: “I said, ‘You did a show about Parkinson’s, and you didn’t call me?’ And he said, ‘Oh, you want to do it?’ And I said, ‘I’d love to do it.’” He added that he plays “someone who has Parkinson’s,” and that showing up without worrying about fatigue felt “really good.”
Harrison Ford has said he takes portraying Dr. Paul Rhoades “deadly f—— seriously,” stressing there’s “no intention to make it into a joke.” He described Paul as “a person particularly equipped to communicate what it is that it’s like,” which he believes is “worth sharing with our audience.”
Themes and season arc
Co‑creator Bill Lawrence has laid out a season‑by‑season theme progression — grief in season 1, forgiveness in season 2, and moving forward in season 3 — while noting the writers always had a three‑part arc in mind, with the possibility of more to come.
Where to watch
Shrinking season 3 streams on Apple TV. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to watch now.
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What the schedule and casting signal
A Wednesday launch paired with a one‑hour premiere positions Shrinking as a weekly conversation driver through early spring. The 11‑episode count matches Apple’s recent comedy‑drama cadence and gives room for the show’s layered relationships to breathe — from Liz (Christa Miller) and Derek (Ted McGinley) to Gaby (Jessica Williams) and Derrick (Damon Wayans Jr.).
The addition of Jeff Daniels and Michael J. Fox should attract both prestige‑TV and mainstream attention. Daniels, long associated with The Newsroom, arrives as Jimmy’s dad, while Fox’s presence connects directly to Dr. Paul Rhoades’ Parkinson’s storyline — a thread that Harrison Ford has emphasized he approaches with seriousness and care.
All dates at a glance
- Premiere: January 28, 2026 (one hour)
- Rollout: Wednesdays
- Finale: April 8, 2026
- Total episodes: 11
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