Apple TV delivered great news for comedy fans this week. The streaming service announced it is renewing the popular show Shrinking for a fourth season. This early renewal came just one day before the show’s third season started on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The move means viewers can enjoy the new season knowing more stories are guaranteed. Jason Segel and Harrison Ford will return to lead the cast. The show has become a favorite for its mix of humor and heartfelt stories about dealing with grief and personal change.
Shrinking Season 3 Premiere and Release Schedule
Season three of Shrinking is now available for viewers. The first episode debuted on January 28. New episodes will be released every week.
The season will run for eleven episodes total. The final episode of season three is scheduled to arrive on April 8, 2026. This weekly release format lets fans follow the story gradually.
John, a fan commenting online, said: “What great news right before the premiere. Best show on streaming”.
The early renewal for season four removes any worry about the show ending suddenly. Fans can watch the new episodes knowing the story will continue.
Returning Cast and New Guest Stars for Season 3
The main group of actors from Shrinking are all coming back. This includes Jason Segel as therapist Jimmy Laird and Harrison Ford as his mentor, Dr. Paul Rhoades. Other returning series regulars are Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley.
Season three also features several special guest stars. Some are returning from earlier seasons, while others are new to the show.
Returning guest stars include:
- Brett Goldstein as Jimmy’s patient, Lou
- Damon Wayans Jr.
- Wendie Malick
- Cobie Smulders, who plays a potential love interest for Jimmy
New guest stars joining for season three are:
- Jeff Daniels
- Michael J. Fox, who plays a character also living with Parkinson’s disease
- Candice Bergen
- Sherry Cola
- Isabella Gomez
What Shrinking Is About and Season 3 Storylines
For new viewers, Shrinking follows a therapist named Jimmy (Jason Segel). After the death of his wife, he begins to break the professional rules of therapy. He starts telling his clients exactly what he thinks. This unconventional approach creates big changes in their lives and in his own.
Season three continues dealing with Jimmy’s grief and growth. A major story point involves Jimmy’s relationship with Louis (Brett Goldstein), the man responsible for his wife’s death. After Jimmy saved Louis’s life in the season two finale, they must now figure out how to move forward.
Another central storyline focuses on Harrison Ford’s character, Dr. Paul Rhoades. Paul is seeking treatment as his Parkinson’s disease progresses. His journey leads him to meet a character played by Michael J. Fox, which adds a layer of real-world resonance to the story.
Other character threads include Jimmy’s daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell), deciding on college plans. The show also continues to explore the lives of their friends, neighbors, and other patients.
Irene Parthum, a viewer on social media, shared: “It’s a great show. Take a deep breath, because it handles some hard topics… it has such love, wisdom, heart, and humor”.
Award Recognition and Critical Praise
Shrinking has earned significant praise from critics and award groups since it first aired. The show’s first two seasons received a total of nine Emmy Award nominations.
These nominations include a 2025 Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. Individual actors have also been recognized. Jason Segel and Jessica Williams have each earned two Emmy nominations for their acting. Harrison Ford and Michael Urie received Emmy nominations in 2025.
Michael Urie also won a Critics Choice Award for his performance in the show’s second season. The show is often described as one of the best-written comedies on television.
Show Creators and Apple TV Partnership
Shrinking was created by Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel. Bill Lawrence is known for creating shows like Scrubs and Ted Lasso.
The show is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Lawrence’s Doozer Productions. It is the third major collaboration between Apple TV, Lawrence, and Warner Bros. The first was the hugely successful Ted Lasso, and the second was the comedy Bad Monkey.
This pattern shows Apple TV’s strategy of building long-term partnerships with creators and supporting successful shows for multiple seasons.
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How to Watch Shrinking on Apple TV
Shrinking is available exclusively on Apple TV, which is Apple’s streaming service. The Apple TV app is available in over 100 countries and can be accessed on many devices.
You can watch on:
- iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers
- Apple TV 4K and Apple Vision Pro devices
- Popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and others
- Streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV
- PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles
- Through a web browser at tv.apple.com
A subscription to Apple TV costs $12.99 per month. New subscribers usually get a seven-day free trial. Sometimes, people who buy new Apple devices like iPhones or iPads get three months of Apple TV for free.
With season three now airing and a fourth season confirmed, it is a perfect time for new viewers to start watching Shrinking. The show offers a smart, funny, and moving look at healing and human connection.
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