Today’s date is December 31, 2025. Apple TV has released the official trailer for the third season of its comedy Shrinking. The new footage confirms that Michael J. Fox makes his return to acting and also teases more romantic moments between Jason Segel and his former co-star Cobie Smulders. Fans of the series have been sharing the trailer online, with many celebrating the announcement with the phrase, “The GOAT is back”.
The show is set to return for an 11-episode season, beginning with a special one-hour premiere on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. New episodes will arrive weekly every Wednesday, with the season finale scheduled for April 8, 2026.
Season 3 Story and Character Arcs
The trailer offers the first good look at the new challenges facing the characters. A main theme for this season will be the idea of moving forward.
The central character, therapist Jimmy Laird, played by Jason Segel, is dealing with major personal changes. His teenage daughter, Alice, is preparing to leave home to play soccer at a college in Connecticut. Jimmy openly talks about his struggle with this transition in the trailer, telling his friend Louis that all he wants is for Alice to “live peacefully”.
Jimmy’s love life also gets attention. The trailer shows him trying and failing to ask out his neighbor, Sofi, played by Cobie Smulders. Their potential relationship is a point of amusement for their friends, who are seen spying on the awkward moment.
Other characters are on their own journeys. Harrison Ford’s character, the seasoned therapist Dr. Paul Rhoades, continues to live with Parkinson’s disease. Jessica Williams’ character, Gaby, is seen questioning if she is on the right path in life, even while appearing happy in her relationship.
New and Returning Cast Members
The third season welcomes several notable guest stars alongside the main ensemble.
The most talked-about new addition is Michael J. Fox. The trailer shows his first scene, where he meets Paul in a waiting room. When Paul says he is there for his Parkinson’s, Fox’s character jokes, “Just a haircut”. This role marks Fox’s return to acting after stepping back from on-screen work in 2020. His appearance also reunites him with series co-creator Bill Lawrence, whom he worked with on the sitcom Spin City.
Other new faces include Jeff Daniels and Candice Bergen, who will play Jimmy’s father and Derek’s mother, respectively. Guest stars from previous seasons are also returning, including Brett Goldstein as Jimmy’s friend Louis, Damon Wayans Jr., and Wendie Malick.
Fans and Creators on the New Season
The release of the trailer has generated positive reactions from viewers eager for the show’s return. On social media, fans are reposting the trailer with comments celebrating the full cast.
Series co-creator Bill Lawrence has explained the creative direction for this season. He mentioned that after Season 2 focused on forgiveness, Season 3 will explore what “moving on” looks like for each character. This includes storylines about welcoming a new baby, dealing with a health condition, and growing up without a parent.
While the series was originally pitched as a three-season story, Lawrence has indicated that this may not be the end. He said that if Apple is interested in making more, the creative team would be happy to develop new stories for the characters.
How to Watch Shrinking Season 3
Shrinking is an Apple TV original series. The first two seasons are currently available to stream on the platform.
Season 3 will premiere globally in over 100 countries and regions where Apple TV is available. The one-hour first episode arrives on January 28, 2026, with subsequent episodes released weekly every Wednesday.
The Apple TV service is accessible through the Apple TV app, which is available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Mac, popular smart TVs, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, PlayStation, Xbox, and online at tv.apple.com. A subscription costs $12.99 per month and comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers.
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