Shrinking: the trailer for season 3 teases the shocking return of Michael J. Fox

A brilliant nod to Parkinson’s disease from which the character played by Harrison Ford also suffers.

Apple’s flagship comedy is preparing its return.

The trailer for season 3 of Shrinking has just been revealed and marks the return to screen of Michael J. Fox, who had stepped away from acting in 2020 due to speech impediments linked to Parkinson’s disease.

In the first images, the actor appears in the waiting room of a medical facility, sitting next to Dr. Paul Rhoades, played by Harrison Ford. “What brings you here?” asks Fox’s character, whose name has not yet been revealed. “Parkinson. And you?”, Paul replies. Dry reply and smirk: “Just a haircut.” The two men burst out laughing. An exchange that is both funny and poignant, all the more so since Paul Rhoades’ character has been living with the illness since season 1. Long in denial, he tried to mask the symptoms before being forced to face reality head-on.

Announced last May, the casting of Michael J. Fox also seals a symbolic reunion with Bill Lawrence, co-creator of the series. Fox was the star of the sitcom Spin City, created by Lawrence, for four seasons, before leaving the series in 2000 due to complications related to illness. He also marked fans with a memorable arc in Scrubs, another Lawrence creation.

The trailer also extends the reunion between Jason Segel, co-creator and main performer, and Cobie Smulders, his former partner from How I Met Your Mother. She plays Sofi, Jimmy’s new love interest. Introduced briefly during season 2, it takes a more central place here. After a visit to Jimmy’s house, his entourage – Liz (Christa Miller), Derek (Ted McGinley) and Sean (Luke Tennie) – does not fail to criticize him for not having asked him on a date.

At the same time, Jimmy tries to manage his emotions as his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) prepares to leave home for college, adding a new layer of melancholy to this season which promises to be the most intimate of the series.

Season 3 of Shrinking will be available on January 28 on Apple TV+, and in France on myCANAL.