“My favourite TV show is back for its third season – here’s why everyone needs to watch Shrinking”

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Shrinking is one of my very favourite shows on TV. While the first season dealt with grief and the second with forgiveness, this third one is all about moving on – which can only be a good thing for unorthodox psychiatrist Jimmy (Jason Segel), who clearly still has a lot of work to do as he processes the death of his wife. 

Lots of laughter and messy sobbing await, essentially. And, as luck would have it, that more than meets the vibe of my January so far, given the bananas timeline we appear to be in.

And don’t worry, longtime fans: Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams and Lukita Maxwell are all returning to reprise their roles, and they’ll be joined by the likes of Michael J Fox, Sherry Cola, Jeff Daniels and Isabella Gomez. Which means, yes, even more brilliant actors are steeling themselves to break your heart one minute and make you snort-laugh the next. Watching them together feels like catching up with a group of friends you love endlessly, even when they make terrible decisions.

So, you’re probably wondering what makes Shrinking so special? Why, out of all the comedies around, have I homed in on this one?

Well, the humour only lands because the characters matter. Jimmy’s brutally honest therapy style, Paul’s world-weary wisdom and the ensemble’s beautifully chaotic relationships feel so authentic and lived-in that I genuinely care about what happens to these people. I sometimes forget they aren’t real and feel like I should be checking in with them, which is rare for a comedy. And yet, somehow, it’s also hilarious: really fast, clever and often absurd in just the right way.

Season three looks set to build on everything I already adore about the show. As mentioned, the focus is on moving forward, but in a way that feels deeply satisfying. Jimmy is still processing loss, the ensemble navigate their messy lives and new characters shake up the dynamics in all the right ways. 

Jimmy is considering what it might mean to embrace a new relationship; Alice and Sean look forward to exciting new opportunities; Brian struggles with his newfound role as a parent (with a little help from Liz); Gaby gets deep about her job; and Paul… well, Paul is forced to consider his next move as his Parkinson’s worsens.

“He is so wonderful… he’s really amazing this season. It’s going to be a really beautiful, beautiful arc for our Mr Ford,” co-star Michael Urie told CinemaBlend. Which means, I suspect, that I’ll be set to cry more tears than my dehydrated self has left in me.

Watch the trailer for Shrinking’s third season below

In a TV world dominated by twists, cliffhangers and shock value, Shrinking has consistently proven that character-driven storytelling can be just as compelling, if not more. It’s funny, warm and honest in a way that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

The writing is sharp, the jokes land effortlessly and the emotional beats hit like a sucker punch in the best way possible. By the end of an episode, I’m laughing one moment and quietly sniffling the next, because these characters feel real. They’ve grown, they’ve faltered, and watching it all feels profoundly satisfying.

All of which goes to say, if you haven’t yet watched Shrinking, there’s no better time to dive in. Bring on the series finale to end all series finales, I guess. I’ll have the Lucozade ready to replenish me after the inevitable sobfest…

Watch seasons 1 and 2 on Apple TV+ now. Season 3 is available from Wednesday 28 January

Images: Apple TV+