SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — “Shrinking” season two premieres this week on Apple TV + and Ted Lasso fans are rejoicing at the return. The show stars Jason Segel as the therapist Jimmy who uses unconventional methods and straight-talk to help his patients, while he grows himself after a family tragedy left his family broken.
Jimmy works alongside Gaby (Jessica Williams) and Paul (Harrison Ford) who both support him, but are weary of his new methods of therapy as he is crossing normal boundaries with his patients. One example of this comes in the form of Sean (Luke Tennie), a new patient who suffers from PTSD and anger management that Jimmy decides to let live with him and his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell).
ABC4’s film critic and celebrity interviewer Patrick Beatty had the chance to sit down with Luke Tennie to discuss the importance of men’s mental health, getting to work with Harrison Ford, and why he’s taking away everything he can from his experience on the show.
Tennie spoke about the development of the show and the differences in filming this season compared to the first.
“It’s more gratitude, more excitement, but it’s more of the same … For everybody, there is one thing I notice. We shoot different. It’s a bit more well-oiled,” he said. “It’s just smooth. But that’s not to say season one was rough. It’s just, you give anybody a second chance at something, they better use that opportunity to hammer out the kinks and I think that’s what we got. I think you’ll be able to tell too … We all know our characters more. The shots are interesting. The music’s great. I’m excited for everyone to see it.”
In season two, Tennie was also able to work more with Harrison Ford, which he said is not an opportunity he takes lightly.
“That’s Harrison Ford — so it’s so awesome to be in a scene with him. The only drawback is a little less time with Jason Segel — it’s the only con. So for me, I’m just looking around and learning, because I’m leaving with something. I’m not about to come to an environment with all these awesome, talented legends and come away just with a memory of a good time,
Tennie said. “I’m learning about what to incorporate in my craft so that ideally, when I’m doing what they’re doing — which is being a long-term awesome performer — I can then do what they did for me and give.”
Tennie explained that as he plays a client in therapy, showrunner Bill Lawrence ensured real therapy tools are used in the show to actively portray therapy and mental health.
“We all know that we have a responsibility to demonstrate what it looks like when people use these tools, whether it’s successful. Despite the fact that they might not want to do it, they do it and it moves them forward. For me, it’s an honor and I feel very grateful,” he said
‘Shrinking” season two is out now with the first episode, and you can watch it on Apple TV+.
Note: See It or Skip It is proudly owned and produced by Patrick Beatty. ABC4 is a broadcast partner, but the show, its content, and opinions are independently created.
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