Harrison Ford surprised SAG-AFTRA members during a nomination committee Q&A this afternoon when he showed up to talk about his role on Apple TV+’s “Shrinking.”
Ford was keen to lavish praise on the cast of the comedy-drama television series, describing working with his co-stars as a uniquely different experience that rejuvenated his perspective on acting.
“There are people who improvise as though it was an exercise in egos. That never happens with this bunch. Work is really important to everybody that’s here,” said Ford.
“This mixture of comedy and pathos and really emotional stuff, it gives you a sense of responsibility for the things you’re communicating and how you’re communicating,” he continued. “I think that that shows up on screen, and it shows up in the work these people do every day and how they do it. I had never done anything like this before and it was like suddenly recognizing what I’ve always wanted [acting] to be.”
Ford was joined on the panel by executive producer Jason Segel, as well as stars Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Christa Miller, Lukita Maxwell and Ted McGinley.
“Shrinking” stars Segel as Jimmy Laird, a grieving psychiatrist who inserts himself into the lives of his patients. Ford plays Dr. Paul Rhoades, Jimmy’s colleague and a senior therapist. The series premiered this past January and was renewed for a second season in March.
During the conversation, which was moderated by PvNew’s senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay, Ford said he jumped at the chance to talk to Apple CEO Tim Cook about “Shrinking.”
“I wanted to tell him about the experience that I have with people who come up to me and say something about the show. And then I get to say something… and then they turn around and walk away,” Ford said. “They do not want a picture. They do not want an autograph. They do not want to do anything. They just want to communicate that this means something to them. And it’s an extraordinary experience in my life. That is a real thing. And it means the world to me.”
Many of the “Shrinking” cast members had similar sentiments about how special the series was, particularly what it was like working with co-creator, writer and actor Segel. Working with Segel, they explained, was a positive experience that confirmed Segel’s status as a true multi-hyphenate talent in the entertainment industry.
“[Segel] is so far done with his preparation when it comes to set,” expressed Tennie. “When he’s here, it’s ‘hello, good morning, I’m Jason.’ Yeah, we know. But then there’s still this warmth and openness.”
Williams echoed Tennie’s sentiments about Segel’s work ethic: “He can just do it all. I haven’t seen someone who can stick to the script so much, who can write the thing, is aware but also present — he’s like an actor’s actor. Jason wears a lot of hats and can really do that and be present.”
Joked Segel, in response to the compliments: “My prep I have developed over 20 years, and it is totally fear-based. It is totally over the top.”
But, he added, “What I found from being so prepared, this funny thing happens when you know it so well as opposed to being stuck by it. Now you’re free. Then it becomes like surfing like the wave is in charge. And you are not thinking about your mechanics or how to stand on a surfboard or what to do if something happens. You’re on instinct now.”
Despite being a relative newcomer to the entertainment industry, Maxwell found “Shrinking” a welcome experience that, like Ford, redefined what she wanted acting to feel like.
“I’m a nervous person and it’s so comforting to walk into a space with people that hold you and are so down to play with you and are super present,” she said.
