Honestly, if you told a moviegoer in the 1990s that Harrison Ford would eventually be the king of "prestige TV," they’d probably laugh in your face. Back then, Ford was the ultimate big-screen titan. He was Han Solo. He was Indy. He was the guy who stayed 40 feet tall in a dark theater, and you only saw him once every two years if you were lucky.
Fast forward to 2026. The world has changed, and so has the way we watch the greatest living movie stars.
Suddenly, Harrison Ford isn't just a guest on your TV; he's practically living in your living room. Between the rugged survivalism of the 1923 Yellowstone prequel and the dry, heartbreakingly funny wisdom of Shrinking, he’s doing some of the most nuanced work of his entire 60-year career. It’s a "grandpa renaissance" that nobody really saw coming, but everyone is obsessed with.
The Shrinking Revolution: Why Paul Rhoades Is Ford’s Best Role
Let’s get real about Shrinking on Apple TV+. When the show first dropped, everyone was talking about Jason Segel, but Harrison Ford’s Dr. Paul Rhoades is the one who stole the soul of the series.
Ford plays a therapist dealing with Parkinson’s disease. He’s cranky, he’s ethical to a fault, and he has zero patience for Jimmy’s (Segel) chaotic "cognitive behavioral theft." But underneath that gruff exterior—the classic Ford scowl—there is a level of vulnerability we rarely got in his action hero days.
In Season 2, which wrapped up late in 2024, we saw Paul grappling with his estranged daughter and the terrifying progression of his tremors. It’s heavy stuff. Yet, Ford plays it with this incredible, dry wit. He makes a giant water bottle joke feel like high comedy.
And for those counting down the days, Shrinking Season 3 officially premieres on January 28, 2026. Word on the street is that Michael J. Fox is joining the cast in a guest role, which feels like a poetic "full circle" moment for two legends who have navigated health struggles in the public eye.
What makes Paul Rhoades different?
- The Vulnerability: We see him scared. Not "staring down a Nazi" scared, but "I can't button my own shirt" scared.
- The Chemistry: His banter with Jessica Williams (Gaby) is basically a masterclass in comedic timing.
- The Humanity: He isn't a hero. He’s just a guy trying to be a better person before time runs out.
1923 and the Brutal Legacy of Jacob Dutton
While he’s making us laugh on Apple TV+, Ford is also scaring the living daylights out of us on Paramount+. 1923 is Taylor Sheridan’s sprawling, expensive, and often violent look at the Dutton family during the Great Depression and Prohibition.
Ford plays Jacob Dutton, the patriarch who has to defend the Yellowstone ranch against sheep herders, range wars, and a rapidly changing world. It is the polar opposite of a sitcom.
Season 2 of 1923 just finished its run in April 2025, and let me tell you, it was a gauntlet. Jacob survived a brutal assassination attempt in the first season, and the second season was all about the "Killing Season"—the slow, methodical reclamation of his land and his power. Seeing Ford on a horse at 83 years old isn't just a gimmick; it feels earned. He looks like he’s actually lived that life.
The budget for this show is insane—reportedly around $22 million per episode. You can see every penny on the screen, from the sweeping Montana vistas to the period-accurate costumes. If you haven't binged it yet, you're missing out on Ford and Helen Mirren basically out-acting everyone else on television. Their chemistry as Jacob and Cara Dutton is the anchor of the whole Yellowstone universe.
The "Forgotten" Early Years: Ford’s TV Roots
A lot of people think Ford just "started" doing TV recently. That’s a total myth. Basically, if you were a working actor in the late 60s and early 70s, you were doing guest spots on Westerns.
Before the Millennium Falcon was even a sketch on a napkin, Harrison Ford was a contract player. He was credited as "Harrison J. Ford" back then because there was another actor with the same name. He showed up in:
- Gunsmoke (1972-1973): He played a few different characters, usually young troublemakers or ranch hands.
- The Virginian (1967): One of his earliest professional gigs.
- Kung Fu (1974): He played a character named Mr. Harrison in the episode "Crossties."
- Love, American Style (1969): A weird little comedy anthology that feels worlds away from his current "grumpy old man" persona.
He famously hated this era of his career. He felt like a "furniture mover" for the stars. It’s why he eventually quit acting to become a carpenter, which, as every film nerd knows, is how George Lucas eventually rediscovered him.
Navigating the 2026 Landscape: What’s Next?
So, where does he go from here?
There was a lot of noise about Indiana Jones 6 or some "Final Relic" movie recently, but those turned out to be fan-made concept trailers. Honestly? Good. We don't need another Indy movie. We need more of what Ford is doing right now.
He’s admitted in interviews that he’s doing these TV shows because the writing is better than what he’s seeing for big-budget features. He even poked fun at himself for joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Brave New World, calling himself an "idiot for the money" in a way only Harrison Ford can.
📖 Related: Who Voiced Who? The Cast of Little Houdini 2014 and Why the English Dub is So Rare
But Shrinking and 1923 aren't just paycheck gigs. They are legacy-defining performances.
How to watch the "New" Harrison Ford:
- For the Heart: Watch Shrinking on Apple TV+. It’s the perfect weekend binge.
- For the Grit: Watch 1923 on Paramount+. Just be prepared—it’s not a light watch.
- For the History: Dig up the old episodes of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1993), where he made a rare cameo as a 50-year-old Indy with a beard.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive into the Ford TV era, don't just jump in randomly. Start with Shrinking Season 1. It’s the most accessible entry point and shows a side of him you've never seen—the goofy, vulnerable, candy-loving mentor.
Once you’ve finished that, move to 1923. It’s a heavier lift, but seeing him play opposite Helen Mirren is a cinematic event that just happens to be on your television.
Check your subscriptions for Apple TV+ and Paramount+, as these are the exclusive homes for his current work. If you're a completionist, most of his 1970s guest spots like Gunsmoke are available on various retro streaming platforms or through Prime Video add-ons.
Get ready for January 28. Season 3 of Shrinking is likely going to be the biggest TV event of the winter, and if the rumors of a Michael J. Fox appearance are true, you’re going to want to have your tissues ready.
The era of Harrison Ford: Movie Star might be transitioning, but the era of Harrison Ford: TV Legend is just getting started.