Michael J. Fox Arrives in Shrinking Season 3: Exploring Growth and Fear

Spoiler alert: Proceed with caution if you haven’t watched “Shrinking” season three yet They’re back on the therapy couch, and this time the breakthroughs cut deeper than ever. Apple TV+’s hit series “Shrinking” returns, and season three raises the emotional stakes for all the characters fans have grown to love. Picking up after a season defined by grief and forgiveness, “Shrinking” leans into what comes next: growth, fear, and the uncertainty that comes with moving forward. Jimmy (Jason Segel) faces a major life shift as he becomes an empty nester, struggling to let go as his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) prepares for college. Harrison Ford’s Paul continues to navigate life with Parkinson’s, a storyline that becomes even more poignant with the arrival of Michael J. Fox in a standout guest appearance. Fox appears as a hallucination connected to Paul’s diagnosis, delivering a moment that’s both heartfelt and deeply personal. Alice begins the season in a lighter place than fans have seen before. “In season 3, I think we find Alice in the most peaceful place that we’ve seen her in. There's a lightness to her energy,” Maxwell told our entertainment reporter Courtney Tezeno. After carrying heavy grief for years, “There's a levity to her character after having dealt with so much That energy is kind of changing and giving her a new direction to move out and find her independence.” While Jimmy and Alice navigate a major shift in their father-daughter dynamic on screen, Maxwell says her real-life relationship with Segel remains steady. “My relationship with Jason, I don’t think, has changed. He’s always since day one been my cheerleader, my support system. He can see when I’m having a hard time without even saying anything,” she said. “In terms of Jimmy and Alice, it’s changed quite a bit,” Maxwell added with a laugh. “I really want them to stay close and have that connection.” Meanwhile, Liz and Derek’s marriage faces a major test when a sudden health scare shakes their sense of stability. The storyline forces Liz to confront mortality and her own sense of purpose, revealing just how much Derek truly means to her. Actress Christa Miller, who portrays Liz, says, “It was a transition and turning point for Liz with his health scare.” Ted McGinley agrees, describing the moment as a revelation for Derek. “I think the health scare exposes the reality of their relationship,” he said. “You see what Derek really means to Liz and what would happen to her if he wasn’t there.” With season three already sparking speculation about what’s next, Miller also teased the possibility of future guest stars. While she wouldn’t reveal who she’s lobbying for, she joked that if Liz ever had her own hallucination, she’d want advice from Benicio del Toro. “He says things in such a lovely way,” Miller said, adding that he might offer Liz some much-needed insight. Heartfelt performances and laugh-out-loud moments help balance a shocking season three cliffhanger that leaves fans wondering what’s next. Miller calls the season “hopeful,” telling fans to “don’t be nervous” about a potential fourth season. “Shrinking” season three premieres January 28 on Apple TV+, with new episodes streaming weekly through April 8. Follow for more entertainment news updates.