Harrison Ford is among the most iconic living actors today, with a massive influence on Star Wars movies and TV shows—even those he isn’t directly present in—and a legendary role in the Indiana Jones franchise. Yet, it’s on Apple TV’s Shrinking that Ford is shining at present, in an unexpected but absolutely brilliant role.
Shrinking tells the story of Jimmy (Jason Segel), a grieving widower and therapist who becomes too involved in his patients’ lives as a way of improving his own life. Ford plays Paul, who is also a therapist, although he’s considerably grumpier than lighthearted, quirky Jimmy. In classic Ford fashion, however, there’s plenty of compassion beneath that rough exterior.
For those who love Ford and are excited to see what this genre-defining movie star is up to now, Shrinking is not one to miss.
Shrinking Is A True Gem In Harrison Ford’s Career
Paul (Harrison Ford) gives Jimmy some advice in Shrinking Season 2 Ep 12
Image via Apple TV+
Ford starring in a heartfelt streaming comedy might sound like an unusual fit, but he couldn’t be better in the role. His character, Paul, is experiencing ongoing complications from his Parkinson’s disease, and he’s increasingly finding room in his life for a brand-new romantic relationship, despite him pretending that he feels he’s better off alone.
Paul is also resistant to Jimmy treating him as a mentor and a father figure early on in the show, but even that relationship develops with time, with their friendship becoming one of the best relationships on the show. But this heart extends far beyond the character Ford plays.
Shrinking is full of characters who are facing difficult emotional situations—particularly Jimmy and his daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell)—and the show manages to provide each character with depth and a compelling storyline, which can be challenging with an ensemble cast. In fact, Shrinking even manages to make the man who drove drunk and killed Jimmy’s wife, Tia (Lilan Bowden), a sympathetic character.
This emotional backdrop has surprisingly proved to be perfect for showcasing Ford’s talent, as well. While he’s not running around on heroic adventures wielding a blaster or a whip in Shrinking, his performance is captivating, and it shows a different, excellent side to the actor that audiences may not be expecting.
Now Is The Perfect Time To Get Into Shrinking
Jimmy (Jason Segel) looking annoyed after Paul’s advice in Shrinking Season 2 Ep 11
Image via Apple TV+
While it might feel daunting to get started with Shrinking now, as the show debuted in 2023 and is currently on season 3, this is actually the perfect time to jump into the show. Currently, season 3 is underway, with weekly episodes releasing every Wednesday on Apple TV. Season 3 debuted with a one-hour episode on January 28th, and the final episode will be released on April 8th.
For those who can really binge shows, that schedule offers viewers several weeks to get caught up before the season finale, and for those who like to take things slow and dislike waiting for episodes, there are plenty of episodes to watch so that all of season 3 is available to stream by the time they catch up.
Even better, Shrinking has been renewed for season 4 already, which means there’s more to look forward to even when season 3 wraps up. This also suggests just how popular the show has proven to be in the last few years, as the original plan for Shrinking was a three-season run. Clearly, audiences agree that this show is worth the watch.
There’s little doubt that Harrison Ford’s career has put him in a league of his own, and Shrinking has reinforced just how significant his acting chops really are. As this comedy proves, Ford doesn’t need the big screen and massive fanfare to pull off a character that is compelling, charming, and full of a surprising amount of depth.
Release Date
January 27, 2023
Network
Apple TV
Showrunner
Bill Lawrence
