Jason Segel joined Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast to discuss the upcoming third season of Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed dramedy Shrinking, his ongoing passion for the Dracula puppet musical from Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and his next cinematic venture, a psychological thriller. With Shrinking Season 2 earning Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy and Segel for Lead Comedy Actor, the anticipation for Season 3, which wrapped production in summer 2025, is sky-high, fueled by major casting additions like Michael J. Fox and Jeff Daniels. Segel also shared insights into his career evolution, reflecting on his hectic 20s and the richer roles he’s embracing in his 40s. Fans can stay updated on Segel’s projects via his Instagram (@jasonsegel) or Apple TV+’s official channels.
Shrinking Season 3: New Faces and Deeper Stories
Shrinking, co-created by Segel, Bill Lawrence, and Brett Goldstein, follows grieving therapist Jimmy Laird (Segel) as he breaks conventional therapy rules, offering blunt advice that shakes up his clients’ lives and his own. Season 3, set to premiere later in 2025, introduces Michael J. Fox in a significant guest role, marking his first on-camera acting stint since 2020 due to his Parkinson’s disease. Though details of Fox’s character are under wraps, speculation suggests a connection to Harrison Ford’s Dr. Paul Rhoades, who navigates Parkinson’s in the series, a nod to Fox’s real-life advocacy through The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Segel, a longtime admirer, shared how Fox’s work ethic on Family Ties and Back to the Future inspired him during his grueling 20s on How I Met Your Mother and films like Knocked Up. “I got to tell him, ‘Hey, I think you got me through a lot of these experiences,’” Segel said, noting their limited scenes together but profound personal impact.
Jeff Daniels joins as Jimmy’s estranged father, a casting choice Segel called “brilliant” for their natural similarities. “We’re doing very similar stuff… our mannerisms are kind of the same,” he noted, praising Daniels’ versatility akin to Peter Sellers. Daniels’ role will explore Jimmy’s complex parental dynamics, shedding light on why he seeks validation from Paul (Ford), especially after the Season 2 arc focused on forgiveness. Cobie Smulders, Segel’s How I Met Your Mother co-star, returns as Sofi, a potential love interest introduced in Season 2, with their 20-year friendship adding depth to their onscreen chemistry. New recurring cast members Sherry Cola and Isabella Gomez further expand the show’s found-family dynamic, while the core ensemble—Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley—continues to shine. Bill Lawrence teased another “iconic actor from Fox’s era” joining, hinting at a nostalgic, star-studded season.
Segel reflected on how Shrinking offers “richer” roles in his 40s compared to his comedic 20s, allowing him to channel life experience into Jimmy’s grief-driven journey. He praised Ford’s Season 2 finale monologue about career longevity and Parkinson’s, calling it “the best acting I’ve ever seen in person,” a moment that left the cast emotional beyond the scene’s context. With themes of moving forward in Season 3, the show continues to balance humor and heartbreak, earning praise as “top-tier Apple TV+ content” on X for its heartfelt approach to loss.
Dracula Puppet Musical: A Cult Favorite Lives On
Segel delighted fans by addressing the enduring love for “Dracula’s Lament,” the puppet musical from Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), inspired by his real-life experiences and crafted with puppets from the Jim Henson Company. While a full Dracula’s Lament movie isn’t in the works, Segel performs the musical in secret shows around Los Angeles, including a performance at Hotel Cafe in 2024. He expressed interest in staging it next at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, a historic LA venue for puppetry. “I perform it every once in a while… it’s one of the things I’m asked about the most,” he shared, keeping the cult classic alive for devoted fans.
Next Project: A Psychological Thriller
Segel is set to star in and write a psychological thriller, described as a two-hander evoking Fatal Attraction and Cape Fear. The project, which he’s been mulling for a decade, marks a bold pivot from his comedic roots. “I finally felt like I was smart enough to write it,” he said, noting how his 40s have brought a maturity to tackle complex, dramatic roles. While details remain scarce, Segel is reuniting with Shrinking director James Ponsoldt for the film, titled Sponsor, promising a tense, character-driven narrative. This follows his pattern of seeking challenging projects, like 2020’s Dispatches From Elsewhere, a pandemic-era series he created and starred in alongside Sally Field and Andre Benjamin, which explored childlike wonder but struggled to find an audience.
Career Reflections and How I Met Your Mother Nostalgia
Reflecting on his career, Segel described his 20s as “overwhelming” while juggling How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014) and films like The Muppets (2011), which he co-wrote and starred in. His 30s brought a sense of mourning, fearing his best years were behind him, but his 40s have opened “man parts” with deeper emotional stakes. On a potential How I Met Your Mother reunion, Segel was enthusiastic: “That show changed my life, I would do anything they asked me to do.” He fondly recalled his character Marshall’s enigmatic mix of ambition and absurdity, like searching for a lost tuna sandwich. Fans on X echo this nostalgia, with many clamoring for more of Segel and Smulders’ chemistry in Shrinking.
With Shrinking Season 3 poised to explore Jimmy’s evolving relationships, Fox and Daniels’ star power, and Segel’s thriller on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up as a pivotal year for the actor. His Dracula puppet performances keep his comedic roots alive, while his new film signals a daring leap into darker storytelling, cementing his versatility as an actor, writer, and creator. For the latest on Shrinking and Segel’s projects, check Apple TV+ or follow Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast.
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