Shrinking’s Ted McGinley Teases “One Hell Of A Ride” In Season 2

The story of therapist Jimmy Laird will finally continue after over a year of fan anticipation, with Shrinking returning to Apple TV+ later this month. Last season, viewers saw Laird – played by Jason Segel – take on an unorthodox approach with his clients and tell them how he truly feels. This backfired at the end of Shrinking season 1, when one of his patients shoves her abusive husband off of a cliff.

Shrinking features a star-studded cast of actors alongside Segel, including long-time comedic actor Ted McGinley. Since his career first began in the 1980s, McGinley has become known for his roles in things like Happy Days, Married… with Children, and Revenge of the Nerds, and has now taken up the role of Derek, Jimmy’s neighbor who’s married to his friend Liz (Christa Miller). McGinley will take on a bigger role this season, officially becoming a series regular.

Screen Rant interviewed Ted McGinley to discuss his character’s marriage, his relationships with other characters in Shrinking, and maintaining an optimistic attitude.

Derek & Liz Will Have “One Hell Of A Ride” In Shrinking’s Second Season

What Fans Have To Look Forward To In The Pair’s Marriage

Screen Rant: Derek is my favorite character. I love his positive energy, and he is the king of the one-liners. Now that’s retired and he, he’s going to be at home more consistently. How does Liz deal with that, and how does the retirement influence his actions and relationships with the other characters on the show?

Ted McGinley: That’s a complicated question, Joe. Thank you, by the way, for loving Derek. No one is more excited to be on Shrinking than Ted McGinley and playing Derek, just for the record – it’s the greatest gig I’ve ever had. I love everybody there. I love the job.

Derek’s retired, so Derek’s going to be around a lot more, and you’re going to see a lot more of Derek in this, and you learn a lot more about Derek. Derek is this calming sense in a sea of insanity. I always say that my goal is to make Derek light, to make him light in a room so that people gravitate towards him, and it’s been kind of working.

Liz and Derek have this season – there is a lot going on with the two of them and that is one hell of a ride. You will meet their family, you’ll meet the boys, so it’s a great year for Derek and Liz. Christa Miller does the greatest job. She has a very difficult season playing what she has to play throughout this season, and she’s just a miracle to work opposite. Everything is different than you think it’s going to come, and I love that, I live for that. In fact, there’s not one actor on the show that gives you what you think is going to come, and that’s so much fun.

McGinley Believes Derek Would Marry Jessica Williams’ Character In Shrinking

The Special Connection The Pair Shares & The Inspiration Behind Derek’s Relentlessly Positive Attitude

I love the scenes this season with you and Jessica [Williams]. Can you talk to me about Derek’s relationship with Gaby and how he wants the best for her?

Ted McGinley: Yeah, Derek just loves Gaby. I think if Derek wasn’t married to Liz he would be married to Gaby; he loves her. They have this thing that is sort of unsaid. In real life, we just hit it off in season 1. It was fun to hang, and I just thought, “Wow, I can feel this going,” and it worked on camera.

But you’re right – Derek listens to her, and Derek gets her, and Derek really does love her and respect her. I think it’s one of the great things about Derek. He sees people and he makes room for people, and you don’t have to be perfect.

Derek’s positive outlook and his ability to make everyone around him feel better, even sometimes at his own expense, makes him a fan favorite, but he’s a rock for everybody on that show to lean on. Who’s been your Derek in real life?

Ted McGinley: That’s a tough question. I would say my wife, Gigi Rice is, she’s my rock. I’ve been married 33 years, and then I have two boys, so we are as one. That’s all I go to, and I don’t have to go outside of that, because I find that’s my beam of light. Derek, I think of him as that beam of light, and I think of my family that way, and so I can use all of that.

More About Shrinking Season 2

Shrinking follows a grieving therapist who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives…including his own.

Check out our other Shrinking interviews here:

Shrinking

season 2 begins on Apple TV+ on October 16 with a two-episode premiere, followed by new episodes weekly.

Source: Screen Rant Plus