“Creator of ‘Shrinking,’ Bill Lawrence, Shares Cobie Smulders’ Guest Appearance Signals Start of Jimmy’s Progress”

Recently, fans were ecstatic over the mini reunion of Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders in Season 2, Episode 10 of Shrinking. The buzz has led to speculations that Smulders might make a return in upcoming episodes, teased by co-creator Bill Lawrence.

In the current season of the popular AppleTV+ comedy featuring Segel and Harrison Ford, Jimmy (played by Segel) grapples with his inner struggles, particularly with a beardless Brett Goldstein’s character, who portrays the driver responsible for the death of Jimmy’s wife Tia (portrayed by Lilan Bowden) before the show’s timeline begins. This heavy topic is an unconventional choice for a comedy series, but it has been the cornerstone of the show’s success. According to Lawrence, Shrinking offers a raw and authentic portrayal of the various stages of grief, ultimately culminating in acceptance. Lawrence has indicated that Smulders’ character marks the commencement of a new phase for Jimmy, one where he can finally progress forward.

During a Paley Center panel in Los Angeles, Lawrence disclosed, “The one thing we decided on the show [is the] first season is about grief. Second season is about forgiveness. Third season is about moving forward. And I think, you know, we kind of showed a great guest star in the last episode last week who kind of represents moving on.” Lawrence’s comments hint at the thematic evolution of the series and the pivotal role Smulders’ character might play in Jimmy’s journey towards closure and growth.

During the episode, “Changing Patterns,” Jimmy reaches out to Sofi (Smulders), the seller of a yellow MINI Cooper that he wants to purchase for Alice’s (Lukita Maxwell) 18th birthday. The car is the exact make and model of the one that Tia — whose death propelled the storyline of Season 1 and whose presence is very much felt in the show — drove in college. Turning up at Sofi’s house with Derek (Ted McGinley) to negotiate for the car, Jimmy discovers the woman he is buying from is a single mom with whom he has some crazy chemistry (and banter!), leading to an exchange of phone numbers and later a text conversation.

Their scene only lasted a few minutes but it was enough to have the HIMYM fanatics shrieking as it’s been more than a decade since Robin (Smulders) and Marshall (Segel) were last on screen together. The CBS show — which also starred Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, and Josh Radnor — ended its nine-season run in 2013 and cemented its place in sitcom history as one of the most beloved ensemble comedies of all time… even if the ending is one of the most hated. Nevertheless, Lawrence said that getting two members of the McClaren’s Pub gang back together for Shrinking is something special, indeed.

“That made me really happy to see them back together again,” he told the cheering crowd as Segel pumped his fists in excitement.

As for how Jimmy and Sofi’s arc lands in the newest episode, a verbal confrontation from Alice interrupts Jimmy from responding to Sofi’s text at the end of the episode. The distraction cannot hide the smirk on his face before Alice barges in, however, so there is definitely something there. Who knew Marshall and Robin had so much easy chemistry?!

Lawrence played it coy and did not directly confirm whether or not Smulders would be making her way back to Pasadena for Season 3 — which was greenlit by AppleTV+ mere hours after the first episode of Season 2 premiered — but it does feel like the door is wide open for more.

As for Smulders, Decider’s senior entertainment reporter Nicole Gallucci recently spoke with the Avengers and Friends From College star about her surprise cameo.

“It was just like the good old times,” Smulders said of the reunion with her HIMYM co-star. “Jason and I grew up together. We worked together for nine years. We know each other so well. We have so many shared experiences. We already have such a history. So to play another type of dynamic and to play other people doesn’t feel weird to us… Our hope is that we can take our [Robin and Marshall] hats off for a couple scenes.”

So would she be down to reprise her role as Sofi for more episodes? In a heartbeat, she said.

“Yes, of course. I don’t know what they have planned for Season 3. I don’t know anything about it. But, of course, I would always jump at the opportunity to work with Jason and the entire cast again for sure.”

We’ll have to wait and see. Hopefully it won’t be the last for this pair of old friends in new roles.

The first 10 episodes of Shrinking Season 2 are now available on AppleTV+. New episodes release on Thursdays.