If anyone can go toe-to-toe with Harrison Ford on the withering one-liners front, it is absolutely Kelly Bishop. So it makes total sense that the Gilmore Girls actress has been cast as Ford’s character’s ex-wife in season two of Shrinking. New photos from the forthcoming fifth episode, “Honesty Era” show the matriarch of the Gilmore family making her debut on Apple TV+’s heartwarming comedy.
In new photos exclusively revealed by Entertainment Weekly, we see Bishop popping up alongside not only Ford’s character, Paul, but also Wendie Malick’s Dr. Julie Baram (who is Paul’s neurologist-turned-girlfriend on the Bill Lawrence series). In other images, Bishop’s character Susan can be seen alongside Lily Rabe and Ryan Caltagirone, as well as Michael Urie, signaling that there may be a lot of hard truths that Paul needs to face in the upcoming new episode.
Related
Shrinking Star Harrison Ford Says He Still Acts to Get ‘Essential Human Contact’
The Star Wars and Indiana Jones star is having “fun” working with his Shrinking colleagues as his acting career continues.
Who is Kelly Bishop Playing Opposite Harrison Ford on Shrinking?
“We always knew we were going to bring Paul’s ex-wife in because the second season was a lot about dealing with your past,” creator Lawrence explained to EW. “And you can’t really move forward until you deal with your past.”
“This season is about forgiveness,” he continued. “Her arrival is a huge component because it’s tied into Paul’s family, and getting to hear, through Kelly, why he’s estranged from his daughter and what he feels guilty about was a great thing for his character.”
And if it’s fireworks you want, it’s fireworks you’ll get, when the two battle it out in the episode, Lawrence teased. “Even just dropping in for a few scenes, [Bishop] immediately feel[s] like his equal and someone that could give as much as she got. Man, we love that combo of the two of them.”
Of course, it wasn’t just the Gilmore of it all that got Bishop the part. The iconic actress was, according to Lawrence, a top choice for the role thanks to her time on Broadway.
“We’re Broadway nerds, and the fact that she was an original
Chorus Line
cast member made everybody so excited.”
Shrinking has been a huge hit on Apple TV+, which is why the show has already been renewed for Season 3. According to Head of Programming Matt Cherniss, the renewal was one of the easiest that he has ever been asked to give. He said:
“It has been wonderful to watch audiences around the world fall in the love with the memorable characters and rich world that Bill, Brett and Jason have created in Shrinking. We are incredibly excited for viewers to see where life takes Jimmy, Paul, Liz, Gabby, Alice, Sean, Brian and Derek, next as they continue on their moving, heartwarming and very funny journey in season three.”
In this series, a therapist grappling with personal tragedy begins to employ a radically candid approach with his clients and in his personal life. As he navigates his roles as a father, friend, and professional, his newfound method leads to unexpected consequences and self-discovery.
- Release Date
- January 26, 2023
- Cast
- Jason Segel , Luke Tennie , Michael Urie , Lukita Maxwell , Harrison Ford , Jessica Williams , Christa Miller , Ted McGinley , Heidi Gardner , Devin Kawaoka , Lilan Bowden , Kimberly Condict , Lily Rabe , Tilky Jones , Rachel Stubington , Wendie Malick , Sawyer Jones , Mike C. Nelson , Matt Knudsen , Kenajuan Bentley , Adam Foster Ballard
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Story By
- bret goldstein
- Streaming Service(s)
- Apple TV+
- Character(s)
- Jimmy , Sean , Brian , Alice , Dr. Paul Rhodes , Gaby , Liz , Derek , Grace , Charlie , Tia , Wally , Meg , Donny , Summer , Dr. Julie Baram , Mason , Dan , Steven , Tim , Nico