Shrinking Season 3 is making Bill Lawrence’s guest star dreams come true.
In Season 2 of the popular Apple TV+ comedy created by Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel, viewers were delighted to see the arrival of renowned actors such as Kelly Bishop, Damon Wayans Jr., and Cobie Smulders. Season 3 continues to impress by bringing in the esteemed Michael J. Fox, a multi-talented actor, author, and advocate, to join the cast.
During a 2024 Paley Center event in Los Angeles, Lawrence shared his excitement about having Michael J. Fox as a guest star on “Shrinking.” Lawrence expressed his admiration for Fox, calling him his mentor and praising him as one of the most kind-hearted individuals he knows. Lawrence values Fox’s open-door policy, allowing Fox to decide when he wants to participate in projects.
Although specific details about Fox’s role in the series remain a mystery, it is evident that his involvement in “Shrinking” will hold significant meaning for both Fox and Lawrence. The two previously collaborated on Lawrence’s sitcom “Spin City” in 1996. Following Fox’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, he departed from the show after four seasons. Lawrence has openly shared his dedication to honoring his friend through the character of Paul, portrayed by Harrison Ford, in “Shrinking.”
Ford plays a wise, grumpy, fiercely funny therapist who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and navigates its progression throughout Shrinking‘s first two seasons. In addition to Fox, Shrinking co-creator and Season 2 guest star Brett Goldstein’s father has the disease, and Lawrence’s father also has Lewy body dementia, an extension of Parkinson’s. Plus, Phil Stutz, a real-life therapist who has Parkinson’s also inspired Ford’s character.
“Brett and I and the staff are trying to honor the people we love the most,” Lawrence told Decider over Zoom. “I got to see Michael J. Fox over the summer, and it meant so much to me, because he was such a mentor for me. So knock on wood, we keep at least coming close to representing [Parkinson’s] in a way that makes those folks proud.”
Fox’s Shrinking guest role will mark his first on-screen performance in five years, since reprising his Good Wife character on The Good Fight in 2020. And it will also mark his first partnership with Apple TV+ since the 2023 Emmy Award-winning documentary, STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie.
In addition to Fox, Shrinking Season 3 will also welcome Sherry Cola, Isabella Gomez, and Jeff Daniels, who will guest star as Jimmy’s (Segel) dad. And as Decider reported, the Shrinking cast has lots more dream guest stars, including Mark Hamill, Prince Harry, Judith Light, and more. So stay tuned for more Shrinking Season 3 updates!
Shrinking Season 1 and Season 2 are now streaming on Apple TV+.
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