One of the most-anticipated original series to debut on Apple TV+ in recent years is returning with a second season. “Shrinking” Season 2 debuts on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, Oct. 16, and there’s a pretty good chance therapist Jimmy Laird’s life is about to get even more chaotic. The series is returning a huge cast of characters from Season 1, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to remember before Season 2 debuts!

What Do You Need to Know About ‘Shrinking’ Season 2?

What Happened in Season 1 of ‘Shrinking’?

Season 1 of “Shrinking” focuses on the life of Jimmy Laird, a therapist who is undergoing his own emotional journey as he tries to move past the death of his wife. As a new therapy technique, he decides to not only try to guide his patients through their own crises but to actually tell them how he thinks they should solve those problems instead of letting them find the answers for themselves.

This seems to be going well for Jimmy until one of his patients assaults someone. Jimmy’s life gets even more complex when that patient moves in with him, and the complications from his professional life are nothing compared to trying to raise a teenage daughter alone.

Meanwhile, Jimmy’s mentor Paul is working through a crisis of his own. Recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Paul has to figure out how to let his friends and family in to help him, or simply continue packing all the emotions from the diagnosis away.

Jimmy eventually backs off his strategy of simply telling patients what to do, but in the season finale the audience sees it’s too late; one of Jimmy’s patients, who he instructed to leave her abusive husband, decides to use another tactic: pushing him off a cliff to be rid of his abuse forever.

What is Season 2 of ‘Shrinking’ About?

There are scant details available about Season 2 of “Shrinking,” but chances are good that it will answer some of the questions leftover from Season 1. What will happen with Paul and his Parkinson’s diagnosis? Will Jimmy be able to continue building a relationship with his daughter, or will the decision by his patient to kill her abusive husband land him in legal hot water?

Who Are the Main Characters of ‘Shrinking’ Season 2?

Jimmy Laird: Played by Jason Segel. A therapist who just wants to help his patients and keep his home life in order by any means necessary after the untimely death of his wife.

Gaby: Played by Jessica Williams. Another therapist who shares working space with Jimmy. Romantic tension between the pair causes them to sleep together in Season 1, though neither seems sure how to feel about it.

Sean: Played by Luke Tennie. A patient with anger management issues who comes to see Jimmy and eventually moves in with him.

Brian: Played by Michael Urie. Jimmy’s best friend and a lawyer, Brian will likely have to continue looking after Jimmy in both an emotional and a legal sense in Season 2.

Alice: Played by Lukita Maxwell. Jimmy’s teenage daughter, whose relationship with her dad improves over the course of the season as they both grieve.

Liz: Played by Christa Miller. Jimmy’s next-door neighbor who has plenty of quirks of her own, and can’t help occasionally putting her two cents in even if they aren’t wanted.

Derek: Played by Ted McGinley. Liz’s husband, who occasionally drops pearls of much-needed wisdom at unexpected moments.

Grace: Played by Heidi Gardner. One of Jimmy’s patients, she eventually takes his advice in an unintended way when she pushes her abusive husband off a cliff.

Dr. Paul Rhoades: Played by Harrison Ford. A therapist and Jimmy’s mentor who must grapple with a Parkinson’s diagnosis and the repercussions.

When Will ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 Be Released?

Episodes 1 and 2 of “Shrinking” Season 2 will be rolled out on Wednesday, Oct. 16. After the two debut episodes on that date, one will premiere weekly each Wednesday until Christmas. Episodes will drop at 12:01 a.m. ET every week.

How Can You Catch Up on ‘Shrinking’ Season 1?

The first season of “Shrinking” is available to stream on Apple TV+, so you can watch all episodes of the show that are currently released if you want to catch up before Season 2 starts. Apple TV+ comes with a seven-day free trial, so you can watch without paying if you’re a new customer.

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