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Season 1 of the Apple TV+ comedy series Shrinking follows a grieving therapist, played by Jason 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. As Shrinking returns for its second season on October 16th, the show continues to expand on the themes that have resonated deeply with fans: grief, growth, and the power of chosen families.
In this season, we see even more representation and exploration of LGBTQ issues, particularly through the storyline of Brian, played by Michael Urie, as he navigates love, friendship, and the pursuit of fatherhood as a queer man.
In an interview with Communications Associate, Yolanda Lenge, Urie spoke about Brian’s journey and how it reflects the real-life experiences of LGBTQ individuals facing adversity and the importance of chosen family. “The LGBTQ community faces everything a little bit differently than the straight community. I’m really proud that in a show like this, that’s about grief and mental health, I’m able to represent that community,” Urie said.
This season delves deeper into Brian’s evolving identity as a husband and his exploration of fatherhood. Urie highlights the unique challenges queer people face in forming families and how the show offers a space to portray those complexities authentically. “Something that we do in this season that I’m really proud of is Brian’s best friend is a straight man. And as I grew up, most of my best friends were straight men,” he shared. The show addresses the question: Would Brian and Jimmy still be friends if they met today, now that Brian has come out? It’s a question many LGBTQ individuals grapple with as they navigate lasting friendships across different stages of their identity.
Chosen families, a vital aspect of LGBTQ life, are central to Shrinking‘s narrative. As Urie expressed, “For some, it’s that their family doesn’t get them. For some, it’s that their family has died or is estranged. And for others, it’s that their family is not available to them.” In season two, we witness this “ragtag group” of people come together, demonstrating how chosen families emerge in the face of loss and adversity.
Beyond Brian’s journey, the show also explores the personal growth of its younger characters, such as Alice, Jimmy’s daughter, played by Lukita Maxwell. Maxwell shared her thoughts on her character’s arc as she navigates grief while growing into a young woman, embodying the resilience many young people need when facing hardship. Reflecting on Spirit Day, which promotes support for LGBTQ youth, Maxwell said, “Hopefully, she’s an example of strength… It’s okay to make mistakes and not know exactly who you are yet… and that’s just all a part of growing up.”
Jessica Williams, who plays Gaby, Jimmy’s friend and coworker, also spoke about the challenges her character faces as a Black woman navigating grief. “Season two, we meet her where she doesn’t have her shit together… And I think there’s sort of this millennial messiness that she has that I think is really relatable,” Williams said. For her, Gaby’s experience reflects the nuances of dealing with grief, both on a personal and cultural level, adding depth to her character’s story arc.
As Shrinking continues to navigate the messiness of loss and the healing power of relationships, it offers a hopeful narrative about the importance of chosen families and the strength that comes from them.
Watch the new season of Shrinking on Apple TV+ on October 16th!