Shrinking creator teases "nerve-wracking" flashback episode for season 2
Bill Lawrence spoke exclusively with RadioTimes.com about the long-awaited second season.
The Jason Segel-starring comedy-drama series Shrinking is finally returning to Apple TV+ this week, and co-creator Bill Lawrence has revealed the episode he is most excited for fans to see.
While we don't yet know exactly when it will arrive in the season, Lawrence has teased a flashback episode to before the death of Segel's character Jimmy's wife, to see who the characters were before the traumatic event.
"One of the cool things about streaming shows is the chances they allow you to take," Lawrence explained, when speaking exclusively with RadioTimes.com. "And we had always planned this year to kind of go back in time and see different characters' lives before the event, the death of Jason's wife, see where everybody was before that happened.
"I was so blown away by everybody's performance in that episode, not only our regulars, but some of the guest cast, I'll say, really kind of blew me away. Those things are always nerve wracking, so you don't know if they'll work out. But it went really well."
Not only is Segel returning for season 2, but so are all the central cast, including Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Lukita Maxwell, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie and Christa Miller.
Ted McGinley, who played Derek in season 1, is also back for season 2, but this time as one of the core cast, rather than just being in a recurring role.
Read more:
- Gavin & Stacey's Alison Steadman says cast were in tears after final scenes
- David Jason is 'slightly upset' Del Boy is 'the only thing' people remember him for
Lawrence revealed that this is one of the main learnings the team made from season 1, with his character's development being one of the things which changed from Lawrence, Segel and co-creator Brett Goldstein's initial plan for how the series would play out.
He explained: "The major changes to the show happened because of the cast. One is Ted McGinley.
"We always perceived him just as someone that would kind of stroll by and be a comedy assassin with one liners, and he was a guest star last year, but the response to him was so big, he's a regular character now.
"And we had to develop storylines and a backstory and a character for someone that we did not know would be such a big part of the show."
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Shrinking season 2 will premiere globally with the first two episodes on Wednesday 16th October on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly, every Wednesday until 25th December 2024. You can sign up to Apple TV+ here.
Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
