After two seasons of playing therapist Gabe on ShrinkJessica Williams learned to take notes.
While filming the drama series' Season 2 finale, now streaming on Apple TV+, the Emmy nominee had a front-row seat to “some of the best acting I've ever seen” from co-star Harrison Ford as mentor and fellow therapist Paul. .
“There's this scene where Paul decides he's not going to take his Parkinson's medication as much anymore because it's losing its effectiveness,” she told Deadline. “Harrison showed up that day and he actually made it out of that scene. We were crying like a camera crew was crying. I feel foggy thinking about it, but it was some of the most phenomenal acting I've ever had the privilege of seeing in person, and I couldn't I can believe this monologue.
“Paul really means a lot to Gabi, and I think in a lot of ways to Jamie,” explained Williams, who received an Emmy nomination for her performance in season one. [Jason Segel] And Gabe, he acts as a surrogate father figure and you know, when he made that choice, it was really emotional and I can't wait for everyone to see that because I think when the cut was made, it was just silence. He was there. It's like I get goosebumps when I think about it, but it was just some of the best acting I've ever seen.
After resolving her brief relationship with Jamie, whose late wife, Tia (Lilan Bowden), has died, Gabi has developed a romance this season with Damon Wayans' Derek Jr., saying: “They're like two peas in a pod. It's really sweet stuff.”
Jessica Williams and Damon Wayans Jr. in Season 2 of Shrink (Apple TV+)
“I've always wanted to work with him. I've loved his work for a long time,” Williams raved. “He's so funny and giving. He really likes to make jokes. For example, if he thinks of a joke for Gabby, he'll just tell you that he's a machine. I mean, he's a Wayans. So it was really exciting to work with him and I was really nervous. It was amazing. We build a lot of jokes together.
Created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, Shrink It follows psychotherapist Jimmy (Siegel) who begins breaking the rules and telling his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and morals, he finds himself making huge and disruptive changes in people's lives, including his own.
