The impressive performances ofShrinking’s star-studded cast helped the comedy become a hit series.Shrinkingseason 1 received a 91% critical score and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with both critics and general audiences impressed by the series' balance between comedy and the exploration of a heartfelt story. Season 1’s success led toShrinkingseason 2being greenlit, with the series becoming one of Apple TV+’s most well-regarded comedies.
Created by Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence, and Brett Goldstein,Shrinkingtells the story of a therapist,Jimmy, who takes an unorthodox approachto helping his patients by telling them what he really thinks about their problems. While this leads to many comedic situations, the series also explores difficult topics and emotions, asJimmy, his daughter, Alice, and their loved ones grapple with the death of Jimmy’s wife, Tia. Even though Jimmy is the main character, many others in his life, including his colleagues, one of his patients, and his neighbors, become just as important to the story.
Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird
Date of Birth: August 06, 2025
Actor: Jason Segel was born in Santa Monica, California.His breakout role came inFreaks & Geeks, which, despite being short-lived, helped launch his career. Segel went on to play the role of Marshall Eriksen in all nine seasons of the CBS sitcomHow I Met Your Mother. He starred in many comedic movies as well, includingForgetting Sarah MarshallandThis Is 40, where he reunited withFreaks & Geeks' Judd Apatow, along withKnocked Up,Bad Teacher, the 2011The Muppetsmovie, and voicing the villainous Vector inDespicable Me.
1999-2000
2005-2014
2008
2010
Gary
2011
Character: Jason Segel plays Jimmy Laird, the grieving therapist who has decided to tell his patients how he feels about their problems. Jimmy’s unconventional approach results in surprising success for many patients, but it can get complicated. This is especially the case with his patient, Sean, as the lines blur between therapist and doctor as they become close friends.Jimmy is a loving, compassionate, and well-intentioned individualwho struggles with setting boundaries and dealing with his own unresolved trauma.
Harrison Ford as Paul Rhoades
Date of Birth: June 07, 2025
Actor: Harrison Ford was born in Chicago, Illinois.George Lucas' 1973 movieAmerican Graffitiserved as Ford’s breakout roleand led to Ford’s ongoing partnership with Lucas. Ford first played the iconic role of Han Solo in Lucas’Star Warsin 1977and would reprise the role in four more sequels. Another beloved Lucasfilm character was brought to life with Ford playing Indiana Jones in 1981’sRaiders of the Lost Arkand its four sequels. Other notable roles includeRick Deckard inBlade RunnerandBlade Runner 2049and Dr. Richard Kimble inThe Fugitive.
1973
1977
1981
1982
Dr. Richard Kimble
1993
Character: Ford’sShrinkingcharacter, Dr. Paul Rhoades, is a therapist who is Jimmy’s boss, friend, and mentor.While he cares deeply about Jimmy and Alice, he is a more traditional therapistand disapproves of Jimmy’s unprofessional practices. Paul has a gruff persona, but he is brilliant at his job. Beyond the drama Jimmy brings to their practice, Paul is dealing with the challenges of Parkinson’s disease and his own unresolved family issues.
Jessica Williams as Gaby
Date of Birth: July 02, 2025
Actor: Jessica Williams was born in Los Angeles, California. As an actor and comedian,Williams gained widespread recognition as a correspondent onThe Daily Show. Her television experience also includes playing Karen in HBO’sGirls, Rei Tanaka in the “Six Degrees of Freedom” episode in the 2019The Twilight Zone, and Mia Hines in season 2 of HBO’s romantic-comedy anthology seriesLove Life. She played the American witch, Lally Hicks, inFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwaldand inFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, along with the role of Frankie in the2024Road Houseremake starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
Herself (correspondent)
2012-2016, 2024
2018
2019
2021
Frankie
2024
Character: Williams plays Gaby, a therapist who works at the same practice as Jimmy and Paul. She is an extremely empathetic person, sometimes to her own detriment.Gaby was the best friend of Jimmy’s wife, Tia, and remains close with Jimmy and Alice. From driving Paul to work every morning to making sure he stays hydrated, Gaby makes sure to look out for Paul. She also develops a close and supportive friendship with Jimmy’s neighbor, Liz.
Lukita Maxwell as Alice
Date of Birth: June 28, 2025
Actor: Lukita Maxwell was born in Jakarta, Indonesia.Maxwell’s breakout role was as a series regular on HBO’sGeneration, where she played Delilah, a teenager dedicated to social activism. Her first television role was as Jillian in four episodes ofSpeechless, including in the pilot episode of the ABC sitcom. As for movies, she appeared in 2023’sThe Young Wifestarring Kiersey Clemons and Kelly Marie Tran, and in the 2024 science-fiction horror storyAfraid.
2016
Iris Pike
Character: Maxwell plays Jimmy’s daughter, Alice, inShrinking. Alice had a close relationship with her mother and has gradually rebuilt a strong relationship with her father. When Jimmy was struggling to be there for her, their neighbor, Liz, stepped up and helped take care of Alice. In addition to Liz, Alice is close with Gaby and forms a connection with one of Jimmy’s patients, Sean, who moves into their house.In many ways, Alice is more mature than the adults in her life, but she is still a high school teenager navigating the traditional challenges of adolescence.
Luke Tennie as Sean
Date of Birth: July 14, 2025
Actor: Luke Tennie was born in Plantation, Florida.Being a series regular inShrinkinghas been Tennie’s breakout role, with Sean being one of the most important and developed characters in the series. BeforeShrinking, Tennie played Willie Lewis, leader of the Final World Order in the SYFY seriesDeadly Class. He later played Solomon, a member of the football team in the Disney+ movieSafety, which is based on former Clemson University safety Ray McElrathbey,and played a recurring role inCSI: Vegasseasons 1 and 2.
2018-2019
2020
Bryan
2021-2023
Character: InShrinking, Tennie plays Sean, a military veteran who is sent to court-mandated therapy. Sean was initially supposed to be Gaby’s patient, but she referred him to Jimmy instead. Jimmy used MMA fighting and other unconventional practices to help Sean channel his anger and even let Sean move in with him.Sean became close with Jimmy’s family, colleagues, and friends, and even started a food truck business with financial help from Jimmy’s neighbors, Liz and Derek. Sean has made tremendous progress, but is still struggling, especially when it comes to the relationship with his father.
Christa Miller as Liz
Date of Birth: August 03, 2025
Actor: Christa Miller was born in New York City.Appearing in two episodes ofSeinfeldled to Miller’s more prominent rolesas series regular Kate O’Brien inThe Drew Carey Showand as the recurring character Jordan Sullivan inScrubs. She later played series regular Ellie Torres inCougar Town, where she starred alongsideCourteney Cox and Busy Philipps. Miller has also played roles inThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,Clone High,CSI: Miami, andWhiskey Cavalier.
1995-2002
2001-2010
Ellie Torres
2009-2015
Character: Miller’sShrinkingcharacter,Liz, lives next door to Jimmy and Alice. She took care of Alice for much of the year after Tia’s death and treated Alice like her own daughter. Liz becomes close friends with Gaby, Sean, and Jimmy, even though she and Jimmy often get on each other’s nerves. She and her husband, Derek, help financially support Sean’s food truck business, and Liz also becomes more directly involved as Sean’s business partner. Liz can be overbearing and intense, but she will do anything for those she loves.
Shrinking Supporting Cast & Characters
Michael Urie as Brian- Michael Urie plays Brian, who is a lawyer and has been Jimmy’s best friend since college. Brian is part of the social circle that includes Jimmy, Gaby, and other prominent characters, and manages the legalities of Paul’s estate. Urie played Marc St. James inUgly Bettyand portrayed Stephen Dinovera inThe Good Wifeand inThe Good Fight.
Ted McGinley as Derek- Ted McGinley plays Derek, Liz’s jovial and easygoing husband, who is always supportive of his wife. Derek becomes increasingly connected toShrinking’s other characters, leading to McGinley being a series regular in season 2. McGinley has also starred inMarried…with Children,Happy Days,Dynasty,The Love Boat, andRevenge of the Nerds.
Lilan Bowden as Tia- Lilan Bowden plays Tia, the deceased wife of Jimmy and mother to Alice. She appears in flashbacks, primarily with Jimmy and Alice, and has a striking resemblance to her daughter. Bowden is best known for playing Rebecca “Bex” Mack inAndi Mack. She has also appeared in episodes ofParks and Recreation,It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, andNCIS.
Heidi Gardner as Grace- Heidi Gardner plays Grace, who is one of Jimmy’s patients. She is the first patient who Jimmy tells how he really feels, which in her case has to do with her emotionally abusive marriage. Gardner has been onSaturday Night Livesince 2017. She has also had roles inPuss in Boots: The Last Wishand in episodes ofVeep,Superstore, andGirls5eva.
Lily Rabe as Meg- Lily Rabe plays Meg, who is Paul’s daughter. She and her father have had an estranged relationship but are working on repairing it. Rabe has played a wide range of roles throughout multiple seasons ofAmerican Horror Story, including the Stevie Nicks-loving witch Misty Day and the real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Rabe also starred in the HBO limited seriesThe UndoingandLove & Death.
Shrinking Creator Wants You To Know This Character Is Officially A Series Regular In Season 2
Exclusive: Ahead of the comedy’s return to Apple TV+, Shrinking creator Bill Lawrence confirms that one familiar face is becoming a series regular.
Wendie Malick as Dr. Julie Baram- Wendie Malick plays Dr. Julie Baram, who is introduced as Paul’s doctor, and later becomes his girlfriend. Malick previously played Judith Tupper inDream Onand Nina Van Horn inShoot Me!She also voiced Chicha inThe Emperor’s New Grooveand had roles inThe American President,BoJack Horseman,and Young Sheldon.
Devin Kawaoka as Charlie- Devin Kawaoka plays Brian’s sweet and supportive husband, Charlie. Kawaoka has appeared in episodes of Criminal Minds,Lucifer, andGoliath. He has an ongoing role as Kai Tanaka-Reed inChicago Med,played Gary in the 2021 horror movieThe Manor, and starred in the Broadway production ofSlave Playby Jeremy O. Harris.
Rachel Stubington as Summer- Rachel Stubington plays Summer, who is Alice’s best friend. Stubington played April in an episode ofGeneration, a series where Lukita Maxwell was a series regular. Stubington also played the role of Rhea in the pilot episode of ABC’s Ryan Murphy seriesDoctor Odyssey.
Gavin Lewis as Connor- Gavin Lewis plays Connor, one of Liz and Derek’s three sons. Connor is in college but still has feelings for Alice. Lewis' most prominent role was as Moody Richardson in Hulu’sLittle Fires Everywhere, starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon. He also starred inPrince of Peoria.
Brett Goldstein as Louis- Brett Goldstein, who is one ofShrinking’s co-creators, executive producers, and writers, plays the guest-starring role of Louis in season 2. Goldstein is best known for his Emmy Award-winning performance as Roy Kent in Apple TV+’s popular comedy seriesTed Lasso. He has also appeared inDoctor Who,Thor: Love and Thunder, and inHarley Quinn.
Courtney Taylor as Courtney- Courtney Taylor plays Gaby’s sister, Courtney, who is introduced inShrinkingseason 2. Taylor played the recurring character Erika inAbbott Elementaryseasons 2 and 3. She has also been in the 2022 horror movieThe Invitationand in seasons 4 and 5 ofInsecure.
Josh Hopkins as Mac- Josh Hopkins plays Mac, an important figure from Liz’s past who makes his debut inShrinkingseason 2. Hopkins previously played Raymond Millbury inAlly McBeal, Grayson Ellis inCougar Town, and Liam O’Connor in Quantico. Other notable projects includeTrue DetectiveandCSI: Miami.
Shrinking
Cast
In this series, a therapist grappling with personal tragedy begins to employ a radically candid approach with his clients and in his personal life. As he navigates his roles as a father, friend, and professional, his newfound method leads to unexpected consequences and self-discovery.
