Add Candice Bergen to the impressive lineup of legendary actors featured in Apple TV+’s hit series “Shrinking.” This exciting revelation was made by co-creator Bill Lawrence during a recent panel discussion at the ATX TV Festival held in Austin. During the engaging “Bill Lawrence and Friends” event at the Paramount Theatre, Lawrence announced that the celebrated star of “Murphy Brown” will be joining the cast as the series gears up for its third season. She will share the screen with series regular Harrison Ford and the previously confirmed guest star Michael J. Fox.
Lawrence mentioned Bergen’s inclusion while discussing his collaboration with Fox, who was the leading star of Lawrence’s very first sitcom, “Spin City.” This revelation highlights the strong sense of community and legacy within the entertainment industry, showcasing how past collaborations lead to exciting new projects.
“Michael J. Fox is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” Lawrence expressed. “He has been a mentor to me and continues to inspire through his resilience and the way he approaches life. Having him back on set is truly surreal, especially when I think about the incredible experiences I’ve had in my career. Just ten days ago, I was on set watching Harrison Ford, Mike Fox, and Candice Bergen together — oh! Spoiler alert!” His excitement is palpable, illustrating the joy of collaborating with such talented individuals.
While Lawrence did not delve into the specifics of Bergen’s role in “Shrinking,” the mention alone has sparked considerable interest among fans. The series, co-created by Lawrence along with Brett Goldstein and Jason Segel, follows the story of Jimmy, a therapist who, grappling with the profound grief of losing his late wife, begins to break conventional rules and implements significant changes in the lives of his patients, friends, family, and ultimately, himself. The talented cast also features Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley.
Alongside Fox and Bergen, the third season will introduce new cast members including Jeff Daniels, Sherry Cola, and Isabella Gomez. Bergen’s recent guest appearances have also included roles in “And Just Like That” and “The Conners,” making her a familiar face in contemporary television.
Lawrence further reflected on his time working with Fox during “Spin City,” a sitcom he co-created and executive produced alongside Gary David Goldberg when he was just in his twenties. Fox left “Spin City” after four successful seasons in 2000 due to the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, Fox made a notable two-episode appearance in Lawrence’s NBC series “Scrubs,” portraying a brilliant doctor with severe OCD.
“I was fortunate to have a mentor like Michael J. Fox during my formative years in the industry,” Lawrence shared. “I created ‘Spin City’ at the age of 25, and it was overwhelming to see Fox perform my written lines. I was terrified and hesitant to give him notes or suggestions. One pivotal moment that broke the ice was during a live audience taping of ‘Spin City’ in New York, where people would line up to watch the show. I had written a joke that I believed would be hilarious, but Mike didn’t think so. I insisted it would be funny, and he graciously agreed to deliver it.”
“The atmosphere was electric with a live audience, and when it came time for that joke, the silence was deafening,” he recalled. “Instead of moving on, Mike turned to me and said, ‘Are you happy now?’ His playful demeanor reassured me, giving me confidence as a writer. He also taught me an essential lesson: writers must be prepared for the possibility that their material may not land well. We always encourage writers to take bold risks, and if it doesn’t work out, it simply won’t make it to air. I hope everyone enjoys seeing Mike on television once more; he truly is my hero.”
The engaging panel also featured notable personalities such as Zach Braff (“Scrubs”), Brett Goldstein (“Shrinking,” “Ted Lasso”), Josh Hopkins (“Cougar Town,” “Shrinking”), Phil Dunster (“Ted Lasso”), and Charly Clive, who stars in Lawrence’s upcoming HBO series as the daughter of Steve Carell’s character (with Dunster also appearing in that project).
Braff is enthusiastic about the potential “Scrubs” revival currently in development at ABC. “We’re still very much friends,” Braff explained. “Some people think it’s a façade, but we genuinely hang out. Donald Faison and I are best friends, and he’s currently staying at my place in New York. We have a close-knit bond, and when the opportunity arose for ABC and Disney to revitalize ‘Scrubs,’ it felt like the perfect moment. The idea of spending days filled with laughter with this group of people I cherish feels like a wonderful prospect.”
Braff is also set to direct an episode of Lawrence’s HBO series featuring Carell, Dunster, Clive, and John C. McGinley, showcasing the collaborative spirit that runs through their projects.
When questioned about the anticipated revival of “Ted Lasso” on Apple TV+, Lawrence deferred to its creator and star, Jason Sudeikis, who was not present in Austin. “He embodies Ted Lasso, serving as the voice of the show,” Lawrence stated. “In this case, I was more of a supporter riding on his coattails.”
Brett Goldstein humorously commented on Lawrence’s slip regarding Bergen’s casting: “Unlike Bill, who has a knack for breaking embargoes, I’m under strict orders not to disclose anything, as I have a sniper watching me from the roof right now. All I can say is it’s a pleasure to be back in the mix with everyone.”
