Shrinking
Shrinking
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Shrinking

"Moving forward, together."

7.8
Yr 2023
Status Returning Series
Drama Comedy
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

Jimmy is struggling to grieve the loss of his wife while being a dad, friend, and therapist. He decides to try a new approach with everyone in his path: unfiltered, brutal honesty. Will it make things better—or unleash uproarious chaos?

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 76 /100

Shrinking received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised its warm blend of humor and tender exploration of grief, loss, and mental health. Many reviewers commended the show's ability to pull off heartfelt moments alongside genuine comedy, noting that the series manages to make heavy emotional subject matter accessible and funny.

A central point of praise was the show's ensemble cast, with particular focus on Harrison Ford's standout turn in a rare TV comedy role. Critics frequently highlighted his dry comedic delivery and the strong chemistry between co-stars Jason Segel and Jessica Williams, which helped elevate the cozy, human-centered tone of the series.

However, the show drew some criticism for feeling overly eager to please and somewhat chaotic. A few reviewers found the plot and romantic developments shapeless or unrealistic, particularly in its depiction of therapy practices, while others felt the lead character was less compelling than the surrounding supporting cast.

“Lovely, tender, and often heartbreaking”

“one of the strongest across-the-board casts that's been assembled in recent memory”

“Harrison Ford proves he can do TV comedy”

“highly earnest and kind of shapeless”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Apple TV Amazon Channel
US • UK • CA
Apple TV
US • UK • CA
Why fans love it

Shrinking navigates the messy intersection of grief and therapy by swapping professional boundaries for unfiltered candor. As Jimmy attempts to handle the death of his wife, he injects his psychologist training with brutal honesty that ripples through his relationships with his daughter, friends, and patients. The series leans into the discomfort of sudden, radical transparency, showing how sincerity can act as a catalyst for both healing and professional catastrophe.

The show balances the weight of loss with the observational humor of a workplace comedy. Harrison Ford provides a steady, grounded presence as a mentor figure who manages the clinical side of the practice while wrestling with his own aging. By focusing on the awkward, earnest moments between these people moving through trauma, the narrative remains consistently human. It treats the process of mourning as a shifting condition rather than a problem to be solved, keeping the tone light without ignoring the underlying pain of long-term grief.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 11
Longest run 33 eps
Jason Segel
Jason Segel
as Jimmy
33 episodes
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
as Dr. Paul Rhodes
33 episodes
Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams
as Gaby
33 episodes
Luke Tennie
Luke Tennie
as Sean
33 episodes
Michael Urie
Michael Urie
as Brian
33 episodes
Lukita Maxwell
Lukita Maxwell
as Alice
33 episodes
Christa Miller
Christa Miller
as Liz
33 episodes
Ted McGinley
Ted McGinley
as Derek
32 episodes
Show 67 more
Cobie Smulders as Sofi 6 episodes Heidi Gardner as Grace 10 episodes Lilan Bowden as Tia 10 episodes Mike C. Nelson as Dan 8 episodes Matt Knudsen as Steven 5 episodes Ashley Elyse Rogers as Kiara 4 episodes Rosslyn Luke as Sarah 1 episode Kimberly Condict as Wally 9 episodes Tilky Jones as Donny 6 episodes Daniel Dasent as Biker 1 episode Keenan Henson as Bully 1 episode Devin Kawaoka as Charlie 20 episodes Rachel Stubington as Summer 21 episodes Eddie Perino as Stan 2 episodes Kenajuan Bentley as Tim 10 episodes Mimi Fletcher as Jane 3 episodes Logan Charles Carter as Graham 4 episodes Travis Greer as Attorney 1 episode Miriam Flynn as Pam 2 episodes Wendie Malick as Dr. Julie Baram 19 episodes Adam Foster Ballard as Nico 3 episodes Alyson Gorske as Rachel 2 episodes Lily Rabe as Meg 12 episodes Gavin Lewis as Connor 11 episodes Asif Ali as Alan 3 episodes Jill Knox as Donna 4 episodes Keith Powell as Mark 4 episodes Sawyer Jones as Mason 5 episodes Michael Shen as Reginald 2 episodes Mike Kosinski as Michael 2 episodes Adrienne Lewis as Aliyah 4 episodes Ryan Caltagirone as Dave 4 episodes Brian Howe as Kip 3 episodes Kyrsten V. Williams as Lisa 2 episodes Jack Stuart as Malik 4 episodes Brett Goldstein as Louis 13 episodes Aleah Quiñones as Keisha 7 episodes Trey Santiago-Hudson as Jorge 13 episodes Courtney Taylor as Courtney 7 episodes Edy Modica as Jackie 2 episodes Amy Rosoff as Dr. Sykes 5 episodes Audrey Flegel as Physical Therapist 2 episodes Neil Flynn as Raymond 6 episodes Vernee Watson as Phyllis 9 episodes Josh Hopkins as Mac 5 episodes Brian Gallivan as Stuart 7 episodes C.J. Vana as Construction Worker #1 2 episodes Griff Furst as Construction Worker #2 2 episodes Mars Crain as Construction Worker #3 2 episodes Eric Chavez as Noah 3 episodes Damon Wayans Jr. as Derrick #2 11 episodes Meredith Hagner as Sarah 2 episodes Markus Silbiger as Matthew 9 episodes Tanner Zagarino as Dylan 3 episodes Claudia Sulewski as Ava 6 episodes Edgar Blackmon as Eddy 3 episodes Ashley Nicole Black as Nikki 3 episodes Nora Kirkpatrick as Kellie 4 episodes Matt Mitchell as Will 5 episodes Michael J. Fox as Gerry 3 episodes Matthew Rocheleau as Jordan 2 episodes Isabella Gómez as Marisol 6 episodes Sherry Cola as Maya 5 episodes Jeff Daniels as Randy 3 episodes Lisa Gilroy as Kimmy 2 episodes Martin Garcia as Doctor Hernandez 2 episodes Ramsey Thoms as Veteran #1 2 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Director of Photography
Jim Frohna John Brawley
Director
Jamie Babbit James Ponsoldt Anu Valia Ry Russo-Young Randall Keenan Winston
Executive Producer
James Ponsoldt Neil Goldman Liza Katzer Jeff Ingold Randall Keenan Winston Brian Gallivan Jason Segel
Storyboard Artist
Dan Schaefer
Set Decoration
Andrea Mae Fenton
Editor
Katie Abel Missy Hernandez Sarah Lucky Peggy Tachdjian
Supervising Producer
Bill Posley
Hair Department Head
Derrick Spruill George Guzman
Construction Coordinator
Dwayne Franks
Co-Executive Producer
Rachna Fruchbom
Costume Design
Allyson B. Fanger
Associate Producer
Ryan Stephens
"B" Camera Operator
Shelly Gurzi
Creator
Jason Segel
Gaffer
Paul Samaniego
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Shrinking overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

therapist grieving widower psychologist teenage daughter next door neighbor mentor protégé relationship grieving dramedy death of wife workplace comedy grieving daughter father daughter relationship cognitive behavioral therapy widower with daughter earnest
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
January 26, 2023
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
691