Apple TV+ recently landed a Best Picture Oscar for their film “CODA,” and now has some exciting casting news on the television side of things. Harrison Ford is coming aboard as co-star in “Shrinking,” a new 10-episode comedy series written and executive produced by comedic actor Jason Segel, “Ted Lasso” co-creator/executive producer/showrunner Bill Lawrence and star/writer/producer Brett Goldstein.
Deadline has revealed that Ford will co-star alongside Segel in the comedy series after a “lengthy negotiation” and plays Dr. Phil Rhodes, a therapist diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Segel plays a grieving therapist that starts to break the established rules and tells his patients/clients exactly what he thinks. As he ignores his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives…including his own.
Here’s how Ford’s character is described:
A down-to-earth, sharp as a tack “blue-collar shrink,” blunt but with an ever-present twinkle. Phil is a pioneer in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy who has built a successful practice over the years that he shares with his two young proteges, Jimmy and Gaby. Fiercely independent, Phil has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which forces him out of his comfort zone as he grapples with intrusive friends, his estranged family, and his legacy.
This marks Ford’s first major television role with an acting career that started back in 1966. Ford’s casting a huge get for Apple as they continue to land some interesting projects that are attracting high-profile talent. Some of the actor’s previous work in the world of TV has been mostly minor which includes roles in “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles,” “The Star Wars Holiday Special,” “Mod Squad,” “Ironside,” “The Virginian,” “The F.B.I.” and multiple TV movies.
Ford recently wrapped “Indiana Jones 5” from director James Mangold (“Ford v Ferrari“) after an extended production and multiple delayed starts. He also reprised the notable role of Han Solo with a final appearance in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and returned as cult sci-fi character Rick Deckard in Denis Villeneuve‘s “Blade Runner” sequel “Blade Runner 2049.”