How I Met Your Mother actors make waves with their reunion in Shrinking season 2 after years apart

After nearly a decade apart, Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders, best known for their iconic roles in How I Met Your Mother, delighted fans with an on-screen reunion in Shrinking season 2. The highly anticipated moment occurred in episode 10, titled Changing Patterns, which aired on December 11, 2024, on Apple TV+.

Shrinking season 2 is created by Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence— makers of Scrubs and Ted Lasso, and Brett Goldstein, also known for Ted Lasso. It blends humor with heartfelt storytelling. The second season of the critically acclaimed series premiered on October 16, 2024, and continues to explore the messy, relatable sides of grief, healing, and human connection.

The show follows Jimmy Laird, played by Jason Segel, a therapist grappling with personal loss, who begins giving his clients brutally honest advice, breaking professional boundaries while searching for his path forward.

Alongside Segel, the main cast features Hollywood legend Harrison Ford as Dr. Paul Rhoades, Jessica Williams as Gaby, and Christa Miller as Liz. Directed and produced under Lawrence and Goldstein’s vision, Shrinking season 2 has been praised for its emotional depth, wit, and standout performances.

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Reunion of How I Met Your Mother actors in Shrinking season 2

In Shrinking season 2, episode 10, titled Changing Patterns, fans were treated to a nostalgic reunion between Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders, who portrayed Marshall Eriksen and Robin Scherbatsky, respectively, on How I Met Your Mother.

In this episode of Shrinking season 2, Segel's character, Jimmy, purchases a yellow Mini Cooper from Smulders' character, Sofi, as a gift for his daughter Alice's 18th birthday. Their on-screen chemistry was reminiscent of their dynamic on How I Met Your Mother.

The episode's plot centers on Alice's milestone birthday, with Jimmy striving to honor his late wife by gifting their daughter the Mini Cooper. The interaction between Jimmy and Sofi highlights themes of personal growth and moving forward, as Jimmy navigates his grief and Sofi offers a new perspective.

Reflecting on their reunion, Cobie Smulders shared her excitement about working with Jason Segel again, stating that collaborating with him felt just like old times, during an interview with Decider, ahead of Episode 10’s premiere on December 11, 2024.

"Yes, of course. I don’t know what they have planned for Season 3. I don’t know anything about it. But, of course, I would always jump at the opportunity to work with Jason and the entire cast again for sure."

Smulders was also asked about Segel's and her on-screen chemistry, and how it felt to share the screen again with How I Met Your Mother co-star.

“Jason and I grew up together. We worked together for nine years. We know each other so well. We have so many shared experiences. We already have such a history... So to play another type of dynamic and to play other people doesn’t feel weird to us… Our hope is that we can take our [Robin and Marshall] hats off for a couple scenes,” she replied.

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What is Shrinking Season 2 about?

The season continues the emotional journey of Jimmy Laird, a therapist who has been struggling with the grief of losing his wife. The season explores his personal growth, complex relationships, and therapeutic methods, which continue to challenge both him and his clients.

As Jimmy grapples with his emotions, especially regarding his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), the show delves deeper into his interactions with the people around him, including his colleagues Dr. Paul Rhoades and Gaby (Jessica Williams).

Shrinking season 2 follows the aftermath of Jimmy's choices in Season 1, with more intense emotional challenges and moments of self-discovery. The growth of supporting characters, including Liz (Christa Miller) and Brian (Damon Wayans Jr.), also plays a significant role, as they navigate their personal lives while trying to support Jimmy.

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Episodes of season 2:

As of December 2024, Shrinking Season 2 consists of 11 episodes. Here is the list of episodes so far:

• S2.E1: Jimmying – Oct 16, 2024
• S2.E2: I Love Pain – Oct 16, 2024
• S2.E3: Psychological Something-ism – Oct 23, 2024
• S2.E4: Made You Look – Oct 30, 2024
• S2.E5: Honesty Era – Nov 6, 2024
• S2.E6: In a Lonely Place – Nov 13, 2024
• S2.E7: Get in the Sea – Nov 20, 2024
• S2.E8: Last Drink – Nov 27, 2024
• S2.E9: Full Grown Dude Face – Dec 4, 2024
• S2.E10: Changing Patterns – Dec 11, 2024
• S2.E11: The Drugs Don't Work – Dec 18, 2024

Season 2 is available to stream on Apple TV+ and new episodes are released every Wednesday at 12:00 am ET / 9:00 pm PT / 5:00 am GMT.

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Stay tuned for more updates.