As January 28, 2026 approaches, fans of the hit Apple TV+ series Shrinking have a lot to look forward to. The show’s third season is building significant positive buzz from critics who have seen it early. Reviews highlight the new season’s emotional depth, its impressive new cast members, and its focus on the theme of moving forward. The series is set to return with a one-hour premiere on Apple TV+, followed by new episodes every Wednesday until April 8, 2026.
Shrinking Season 3 Release Schedule and How to Watch
Shrinking Season 3 will premiere globally on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The first episode will be one hour long. After that, a new episode will arrive each Wednesday. The season will have 11 episodes total, with the finale scheduled for April 8, 2026. In the United States, new episodes typically become available on the Apple TV+ streaming service at 9:00 PM Eastern Time / 6:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday nights, corresponding to the Wednesday release date in other time zones. Viewers in other major regions like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India can expect episodes to drop on the service according to their local Wednesday schedules.
The show’s official trailer was released on December 30, 2025, giving fans their first look at the new season and its major guest stars. The series is produced for Apple by Warner Bros. Television and comes from creators Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel. The first two seasons are currently available to stream on Apple TV+ for those looking to catch up.
Major New Cast Members and Guest Stars for Season 3
Season 3 of Shrinking welcomes several major new faces to the show’s Pasadena setting, headlined by two legendary actors. Michael J. Fox joins the cast in a guest role that is directly connected to Harrison Ford’s character, Paul Rhoades. Paul has been dealing with the progression of his Parkinson’s disease, and Fox’s character, named Gerry, is a fellow Parkinson’s patient he meets. Series co-creator Bill Lawrence explained the significance of the casting.
“On a show that deals with Parkinson’s, and has a character that regularly sees a neurologist for treatment of his Parkinson’s, it was easy to have Mike play an actual character with the condition,” Lawrence said. “He is playing someone who is 100% not him — both in how he reacts to it, and how he deals with it — but he can still play his character’s truth better than anyone else could.”
This marks Michael J. Fox’s first live-action acting role in several years. Another major addition is Jeff Daniels, who will play Jimmy’s father. Lawrence noted that exploring Jimmy’s relationship with his biological father becomes more important as Jimmy has built a strong found-family around himself. The trailer also reveals that Candice Bergen will appear in a guest role, though details about her character are still under wraps.
Other new cast members include Sherry Cola and Isabella Gomez. Gomez will play a love interest for Luke Tennie’s character, Sean. Familiar guest stars are also returning, including Cobie Smulders as Jimmy’s potential romantic interest Sofi, Damon Wayans Jr. as Gaby’s boyfriend Derrick, and Brett Goldstein as Louis, the man responsible for the car accident that killed Jimmy’s wife.
The Season 3 Theme: Moving Forward with the Characters
Creators of the show have stated that each season has a central theme. Following Season 1’s focus on grief and Season 2’s exploration of forgiveness, the third season’s theme is “moving forward”. This theme plays out across the entire ensemble. For Jason Segel’s Jimmy, moving forward involves tentatively stepping back into the dating world while preparing for his daughter, Alice, to leave for college. For Harrison Ford’s Paul, it means confronting the realities of his progressing Parkinson’s disease and what it means for his career and future.
The season also deals with other major life transitions. Jessica Williams’ Gaby explores new directions in her therapy career while navigating her relationship. Michael Urie’s Brian and his husband Charlie prepare for the arrival of their adopted child. Luke Tennie’s Sean works on his food truck career and a new romance. Even neighbors Liz (Christa Miller) and Derek (Ted McGinley) face new challenges and revelations in their marriage. The season is structured around these personal “chapter breaks,” examining how the characters support each other through significant change.
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Early Critical Reviews and Praise for the New Season
Critics who have screened the season have responded with strong praise, noting it might be the show’s best yet. Reviews emphasize the series’ perfect blend of comedy and heartfelt drama, delivered by its exceptional cast. One review called the show “laugh-out-loud funny” and “enormously cozy,” while also capable of delivering powerful emotional moments.
The performances are receiving particular acclaim. Harrison Ford continues to be highlighted for his work, with one review stating he “continues to give a career best as Paul”. The scenes between Ford and Michael J. Fox have been singled out as especially impactful. Jessica Williams is also noted as a standout this season, with her character Gaby being given more substantial material.
Critics have observed that the season feels like it could serve as a satisfying conclusion to the series, wrapping up the three-season character arc the creators initially envisioned. The show has been praised for feeling like “an honest, humanist look” at how people navigate life’s inevitable changes and hurdles. While the high-concept premise of a therapist radically interfering in patients’ lives has softened, the show has evolved into a rich ensemble piece about friendship and found family.
Production for Shrinking Season 3 was completed in July 2025 in Pasadena. Although not officially announced as the final season, the narrative provides a sense of closure for many character journeys. Whether this is the end or not, the season aims to deliver the same mix of humor and healing that has defined the series.
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