Shrinking Season 3 premieres January 28, 2026 on Apple TV+—Harrison Ford and Jason Segel return for 11 episodes after Emmy nominations, Michael J. Fox guest stars, and the Bill Lawrence comedy wraps its three-season arc. The renewal came just one day after Season 2 launched, proving the 80-year-old Ford’s dramatic range dominates Apple’s hit therapy show.
Key Takeaways
- Premieres January 28, 2026 with one-hour episode on Apple TV+
- 11 episodes total—up from 10 in previous seasons, ending April 8, 2026
- Weekly release schedule—new episodes drop every Wednesday
- Harrison Ford & Jason Segel return as Paul and Jimmy
- Michael J. Fox guest stars—legendary comeback role alongside Ford
- Emmy-nominated—Apple TV+ earned 81 Emmy nominations in 2025, highest ever
- Renewed instantly—Season 3 greenlit just one day after Season 2 premiered October 2024
- Three-season arc planned—Bill Lawrence designed story for exactly three seasons
- Production wrapped summer 2025—filming completed months ahead of premiere
Shrinking Season 3 Release Schedule
Harrison Ford’s Dominance: Why Season 3 Matters
At 80 years old when Season 1 filmed, Harrison Ford took on his first-ever television series—and completely transformed Shrinking into Apple TV+’s most acclaimed comedy.
The New York Times review declared:
“Nearly every enjoyable scene I experienced featured him prominently. Ford takes on the character of Paul, the elder figure in a psychotherapy practice, embodying an old-school boss with a sharp wit and a concealed tender side.”
“One might excuse an actor of Ford’s experience for taking a laid-back approach to the role or aiming for a crowd-pleasing grumpy charm. However, Ford is made of stronger material; apart from a few charming smiles, he never resorts to pandering.”
Paul Rhoades Character:
- Jimmy’s mentor and morally complex colleague
- Old-school therapist with Parkinson’s disease
- Workaholic struggling to reconnect with estranged daughter
- Father figure to Jimmy, charismatic uncle to Gabby
Ford’s performance earned Emmy nominations and proved he could dominate half-hour comedy as easily as blockbuster action films.
The Plot: Grief-Stricken Therapist Breaking Rules
Created by Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Scrubs), and Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), Shrinking follows Jimmy Laird—a therapist who abandons professional ethics after his wife’s sudden death.
Official Synopsis:
“‘Shrinking’ follows a grieving therapist (played by Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own.”
Main Characters:
- Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) – Widowed therapist, father to teen daughter Alice
- Paul Rhoades (Harrison Ford) – Jimmy’s mentor battling Parkinson’s
- Gabby (Jessica Williams) – Fellow therapist navigating failing marriage
- Alice (Lukita Maxwell) – Jimmy’s neglected 17-year-old daughter
- Liz (Christa Miller) – Neighbor raising Alice while Jimmy spirals
Michael J. Fox Returns: Legendary Guest Star
In one of 2025’s most emotional entertainment moments, Michael J. Fox returns to acting for Shrinking Season 3.
Fox, who battles Parkinson’s disease—the same condition his on-screen partner Harrison Ford portrays—makes a triumphant comeback. Esquire declared:
“I will not miss a single minute of watching this legend on screen with Harrison Ford.”
The casting is deeply symbolic: both actors portray characters grappling with Parkinson’s, adding profound real-world weight to their performances.
Apple TV+ Teaser: What’s Coming in Early 2026
Yesterday (December 14, 2025), Apple TV+ released a teaser showcasing five major January-February 2026 premieres:
Confirmed Release Dates:
- Hijack Season 2 – January 14, 2026
- Shrinking Season 3 – January 28, 2026
- The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 – February 20, 2026
- Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 – February 27, 2026
- Eternity (A24 film with Elizabeth Olsen) – Mid-February 2026 (unconfirmed)
The teaser confirms Apple TV+’s aggressive push into early 2026, positioning Shrinking as its flagship comedy.
The Emmy Recognition: 81 Nominations for Apple TV+
Shrinking earned Emmy nominations as part of Apple TV+’s record-breaking 2025 haul—81 total nominations, the streamer’s highest ever.
Apple TV+ Emmy Success:
- 1st Place: Netflix (120 nominations)
- 2nd Place: HBO/Max
- 3rd Place: Apple TV+ (81 nominations—highest in company history)
The New York Times noted:
“The strong performances of ‘Severance’ and ‘The Studio’ provide a boost for Apple TV+, which has struggled to gain viewership compared to competitors like Paramount+, Peacock, HBO Max, and free streaming services like Pluto and Tubi.”
Despite lower viewership, Apple attracts Hollywood talent with creative freedom and critical prestige.
Three-Season Arc: Why Season 3 Is the Finale
Co-creator Bill Lawrence designed Shrinking with a three-season narrative arc from the beginning.
The instant renewal—just one day after Season 2 premiered October 16, 2024—signaled Apple’s confidence in Lawrence’s vision.
Production Timeline:
- Season 1: Premiered January 2023
- Season 2: Premiered October 2024 (delayed by 2023 writers/actors strikes)
- Season 3: Filming began mid-February 2025, wrapped summer 2025
With 11 episodes instead of 10, Season 3 streamlines “key narrative arcs” for a satisfying conclusion.
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ Subscription
Shrinking Season 3 streams exclusively on Apple TV+ starting January 28, 2026.
Subscription Options:
- Monthly: $9.99/month
- Apple One Bundle: Combines Apple TV+, Music, iCloud, and more
- Free Trial: 7 days for new subscribers
After the one-hour premiere January 28, new episodes drop every Wednesday until the April 8 finale.
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