You've probably seen Jimmy Laird throwing a bike into a tree or grieving his wife in the most chaotic way possible and wondered just how much of this mess we get to witness. It's a fair question. Apple TV+ has a habit of dropping these gem-like half-hour dramedies that feel like a warm hug and a punch to the gut at the same time. If you are looking for the short answer to how many seasons of Shrinking are there, we are currently sitting at two. But honestly, that doesn't tell the whole story of where Jason Segel’s unhinged therapist is heading.
Television moves fast. One minute a show is the darling of the internet, and the next, it’s vanished into the "canceled too soon" ether. Shrinking seems to have dodged that bullet. It’s grounded by the heavy-hitting trio of Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence, and Brett Goldstein—the latter two being the masterminds behind Ted Lasso. Because of that pedigree, people expect a specific kind of longevity.
The current state of the seasons
Right now, Season 1 is fully available. It gave us the introduction to "psychological vigilanteism," where Jimmy starts telling his patients exactly what he thinks. It was messy. It was funny. It made us all want Harrison Ford to be our grumpy, index-card-loving mentor.
Then came Season 2.
The second season kicked off in late 2024, continuing the saga of the Pasadena therapists. If you haven't kept up, the second outing dives deeper into the repercussions of Jimmy’s "honesty." It isn't just about the laughs anymore; it’s about the fallout. This is where the show really found its legs, moving past the initial gimmick and into something much more profound regarding grief and forgiveness.
Is there a Season 3 on the way?
Yes.
In October 2024, during a Comic-Con appearance, the news broke that Apple TV+ officially renewed Shrinking for a third season. This wasn't exactly a shocker to those of us tracking the numbers, but in the current streaming climate, nothing is a guarantee until the ink is dry.
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The plan has always been somewhat specific. Bill Lawrence has mentioned in various interviews that they originally pitched the show as a three-season arc. He’s a big believer in knowing where the story ends. Think about Ted Lasso—it had a clear beginning, middle, and end, even if fans begged for more. Lawrence told Variety that they have a specific roadmap for these characters.
Does that mean Season 3 is the end? Maybe. But creators often change their minds when a show becomes a cultural touchstone. For now, the three-season plan is the "official" word, but Hollywood is nothing if not flexible when a hit is on their hands.
Why the episode count matters
Most people asking how many seasons of Shrinking are there are actually trying to figure out if they can binge it in a weekend. Each season consists of 10 episodes. They are roughly 30 to 35 minutes long.
- Season 1: 10 episodes (Completed)
- Season 2: 10 episodes (Completed)
- Season 3: In development (Expected 10 episodes)
If you start today, you have about 10 hours of content to get through. It’s the perfect "long flight" show. The pacing is snappy, which is a trademark of Brett Goldstein’s writing style. He has this way of making dialogue feel like a ping-pong match, where characters interrupt each other in a way that feels like actual humans talking, rather than actors waiting for their cues.
The Harrison Ford factor
We have to talk about Paul. Paul Rhoades, played by Harrison Ford, is the heartbeat of the show. There was significant concern among fans about whether a legend like Ford would commit to multiple seasons of a streaming comedy. He’s Indiana freaking Jones. He doesn't need to be doing 30-minute sitcoms.
However, Ford has gone on record saying he’s having the time of his life. He loves the writing. He loves the ensemble. His presence is a massive reason why the show has been able to sustain its momentum. If Ford stays, the show stays. His portrayal of Parkinson’s disease has also brought a level of gravitas that keeps the show from becoming too "sitcom-y." It’s handled with a mix of blunt humor and genuine fear that feels incredibly authentic to anyone who has dealt with a chronic illness in their family.
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What to expect next for Jimmy and Gaby
Season 2 left us with a lot of dangling threads. The relationship between Jimmy and Gaby (played by the incredible Jessica Williams) is... complicated. It’s that classic "will they / won't they" but with the added layer of "should they even be doing this?"
Then you have Alice, Jimmy’s daughter. Lukita Maxwell has done an amazing job portraying a teenager who had to grow up way too fast because her dad fell apart. The third season will likely focus on her transition into young adulthood and whether Jimmy can actually maintain the stability he fought so hard to regain.
The writing team hasn't been shy about bringing in guest stars either. We saw Brett Goldstein himself make an appearance in Season 2 as a character named Louis, which added a whole new layer of tension to the narrative. It’s this kind of internal world-building that makes the question of "how many seasons" so vital—fans aren't just watching a show; they’re living in this weird Pasadena pocket.
How Shrinking stacks up against other Apple comedies
Apple TV+ has carved out a niche for "nicecore" comedies. Ted Lasso, The Big Door Prize, and Shrinking all share a DNA of optimism, even when things are bleak.
Comparing the season counts:
- Ted Lasso: 3 Seasons (Likely finished, though rumors of a 4th persist).
- The Big Door Prize: 2 Seasons (Canceled).
- Mythic Quest: 3 Seasons (With more on the way).
Shrinking is currently the frontrunner for Apple’s "flagship" comedy now that the Richmond Greyhounds have hung up their cleats. It has the critical acclaim and the award nominations (Segel and Williams have both been recognized) to justify a long run.
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The reality of production timelines
If you're wondering when the next batch of episodes will drop, you have to look at the gaps. There was a significant wait between Season 1 (January 2023) and Season 2 (October 2024). This was partly due to the industry-wide strikes in 2023, but also because Segel and Lawrence are busy people.
If they stay on the current trajectory, Season 3 should land sometime in early 2026. Writing usually takes a few months, followed by a four-to-five-month shoot in Los Angeles.
What should you do while waiting?
Since you now know there are two seasons ready for your eyeballs and a third on the horizon, here is how you should handle the wait.
First, watch the show slowly. It’s tempting to burn through it, but the emotional beats land better if you give them room to breathe. The show deals with heavy themes—death, abandonment, cognitive decline—and if you watch it too fast, it can feel overwhelming.
Second, check out the "spiritual siblings" of the show. If you like the humor here, Scrubs (also by Bill Lawrence) is the blueprint. If you like the heart, Ted Lasso is the obvious choice.
Lastly, pay attention to the music. The soundtrack is curated with insane precision. It’s basically a character in itself, helping to bridge the gap between the hilariously absurd moments and the quiet, devastating ones.
Actionable steps for fans:
- Verify your subscription: Make sure your Apple TV+ is active; they often offer three-month trials with new devices.
- Follow the creators: Bill Lawrence is very active on social media and often leaks "behind the scenes" photos from the set which give clues about filming progress.
- Watch the Season 2 finale again: There are small details in the background of Paul’s office that hint at where his health is going in Season 3.
- Listen to the soundtrack: Search for the official Shrinking playlist on Spotify to get into the headspace of the show.
The show is a rare beast in 2026: a comedy that isn't afraid to be sad and a drama that isn't afraid to be ridiculous. Whether we get three seasons or six, the journey of Jimmy Laird is already one of the most honest depictions of mental health on television.