[Editor’s note: The following contains some spoilers for Season 2 of Shrinking.]

For 2 seasons now, the Apple TV+ sequence Shrinking has been following the journey of Jimmy (Jason Segel), a grieving therapist within the strategy of determining life after the dying of his spouse, and what meaning for his shoppers, his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) and himself. Whereas Jimmy’s not fairly relationship with Gaby (Jessica Williams) blew up in each their faces, their pal group survived, and a brand new Derrick (Damon Wayans Jr.) got here into their lives. And though Paul (Harrison Ford) is experiencing worsening signs of his sickness and Louis (Brett Goldstein) has stirred up emotional ache for Jimmy and Alice, this pal group was there to assist and love one another, each step of the best way.

It is by no means straightforward to be the brand new man becoming a member of a TV sequence with a forged that’s already so on level with their chemistry and comedy. However Wayans Jr. stepped in as Derrick#2 so effortlessly as a pal of Derek (Ted McGinley), immediately making sense as a love curiosity for Gaby. Throughout this one-on-one interview with Collider, Wayans Jr. talked about becoming a member of a present he was already such a fan of, understanding what it’s wish to be a #2 in life, attending to have enjoyable and play with the comedy, the expertise of sharing scenes with Ford, determining the dynamic with Gaby, what he realized about comedy from being a Wayans, and whether or not he’d need to return for Season 3.

Collider: It may be so much to hitch a present as a brand new character to play with the dynamic of a present.

DAMON WAYANS JR: I absolutely perceive as a result of the present is simply so outstanding. You’re sitting there watching excellence. It’s like when Ed Sheeran got here on Sport of Thrones and also you’re like, “How did that occur?!.” So, I absolutely perceive.

When this got here your manner, how stunned have been you {that a} character with a quantity two in his identify was a risk, at this level in your profession, when that’s one thing that actors sometimes do very early on?

WAYANS JR: I’m okay with it. I’ve been a quantity two for my entire life, as Damon Jr. or Damon #2, so Derrick #2 wasn’t an excessive amount of of a change. That’s simply humorous, with Derek 1 and Derrick 2 working collectively. It was simply a lot enjoyable. They take the smallest issues and make them humorous on this present.

Damon Wayans Jr. Loved Getting To Play With the Comedy in ‘Shrinking’

What have you ever most loved about working with this forged and determining methods to mix your comedy with their comedy? What was it wish to stroll into that on day one?

WAYANS JR: Day one, we shot the scene the place I’m blocking Gaby in. I come out of the home and I’m like, “Oh, I’m sorry I blocked you in.” That was my first scene, or my welcome scene on this present. I keep in mind being very by-the-book and like, “All proper, I’m simply gonna do my strains and that’s it,” as a result of I didn’t wanna mess with something. So, I did the scene and it was humorous, however proper after that, Invoice Lawrence got here up and went, “Simply have enjoyable, man.” I used to be like, “What do you imply?” He was like, “Say regardless of the hell you need?” I used to be like, “Are you certain?” He was like, “Yeah.” And so, we did. That entire bit in regards to the vibrator, we did such an extended bit on that. That’s once I knew that Jessica Williams was a subsequent degree comic. Something I used to be throwing at her, she was simply throwing it proper again. I used to be like, “Oh, that is nice.” And so, that introduction to the present actually alleviated a whole lot of stress for me as a result of I didn’t wanna mess something up. No matter is going on within the present is working. I didn’t wanna be that man. And so, as soon as they let me really feel free and so they used a whole lot of my little improv within the present, I used to be identical to, “Okay, in order that they like what I’m doing.” I used to be so much calmer after that.

It looks as if there’s a whole lot of belief concerned with that.

WAYANS JR: Sure. Invoice [Lawrence] and [Jason] Segel and Brett [Goldstein] are actually good at selecting the folks that they will belief. With everyone there, in fact, you’re gonna belief them to be accountable for their very own characters as a result of they make nice decisions. They’re all phenomenal. They’re titans. Invoice brings in individuals he can belief, and then you definitely get a present like Shrinking.

You’ve completed the performing factor for some time. You’ve completed different TV sequence and also you’re additionally skilled in comedy, however do you get nervous becoming a member of a present when it’s the second season and the forged of characters is so well-defined?

WAYANS JR: Completely, I do. I used to be excited to do it earlier than I acquired on set. I used to be excited as a result of Harrison Ford is within the present. I used to be like, “I’ve to do the present as a result of I’ve to be in some scenes with Harrison. I would like this.” After which, I acquired there and that’s once I acquired nervous. I used to be like, “That is Gaby. That is Liz.” However all of them made me really feel greater than welcome and there have been numerous laughs. I used to be pitching jokes. I used to be additionally pitching jokes to different characters, and so they have been utilizing them. It was simply so familial. It was nice.

Damon Wayans Jr. Found That ‘Shrinking’ Co-Star Harrison Ford Is a Jokester

Harrison Ford is hilarious on this present, however extra because the straight man and the perpetually grumpy man. What was it love to do the scene with him when he wished to have a chat with you about Gaby?

WAYANS JR: It was nice. What’s humorous about him is that he likes to do jokes in between takes. We have been doing jokes off on the aspect earlier than they’d yell, “Motion!” After which, he’d simply lock in and switch into the grumpy man. However actually, he likes to make a whole lot of jokes. That’s all he’s doing in between takes. So, it felt like a personality. That didn’t really feel like him. He’s Harrison. It was simply superb.

It says so much about Derrick 2 that he’s not too weirded out by Jimmy at all times being round and being such a giant a part of Gaby’s life. What was that dynamic like to determine and navigate?

WAYANS JR: It’s bizarre, but it surely’s additionally a testomony to how he enjoys being round that group. He likes Gaby, however he’s additionally discovered a bit group of pals. I additionally assume he’s probably the most mature companions, or potential companions, that Gaby has ever handled, so stuff like that doesn’t trouble him. He’s like, “After all, you had a previous, and these individuals are nice. Who cares? Now it’s about me and also you.”

While you went into this, what have been you hoping for, when it got here to the friendship with Derek 1 and Derrick 2? What have you ever loved about working with Ted McGinley?

WAYANS JR: Ted will make something work, interval. He’s one of many guys on set that has to make you giggle, on a regular basis. You’re sitting there laughing with him, after which we simply take that power onto set and shoot that. Ted is a man that I may genuinely be pals with. I might be his Derrick 2, in actual life. He’s that enjoyable, he’s that healthful, and he’s at all times acquired one thing enjoyable to say. In actual life, he’s simply the sweetest dude. There’s no one there the place I’m like, “Eww.” Not one particular person. All people there may be simply so stuffed with coronary heart. It’s bizarre. You’re like, “Who’s the asshole? Present me. Which one?” And it’s none of them.

What would you say is crucial lesson or factor that you just realized about comedy from rising up and simply being a Wayans? Was it one thing that you just realized instantly from one in all your loved ones members, or did you simply study from watching them?

WAYANS JR: I really feel prefer it’s each. I realized so much from simply being round them. You study timing. Early on, you study when to say a joke and methods to say it, and that shorter is often sweeter. After which, rising up and desirous to do stand-up alone, that’s once I began watching my dad’s stand-up and seeing that rhythm. There are several types of comedy. There’s performing comedy, after which there’s additionally stand-up, and mixing them is an fascinating factor to do. I strive to do this typically, but it surely doesn’t at all times work. I really feel like often one of the best form of comedy for performing is improv, the place you simply get going with no matter is within the scene. Stand-up is without doubt one of the most egocentric sports activities within the leisure business. You’re up there alone speaking about your self and the best way you understand the world. And in performing, you get to share.

Damon Wayans Jr. Would Love for Derrick 2 To Return for ‘Shrinking’ Season 3

Gaby and Derrick 2’s story isn’t over this season, and we all know the present is coming again for Season 3. Will we see Derrick 2 once more? Are you hoping to see the place issues may proceed to go together with them?

WAYANS JR: Yeah. My guess is pretty much as good as yours. I don’t know if I’ll be coming again, however I’d like to. I like these guys. I like Invoice. Please have me again. I’d like to, but when not, I perceive that, as effectively. In my thoughts, the Derrick character would like to experience off into the sundown with Gaby, however he additionally likes her sufficient to the place he would simply be in her life as a pal. It’s as much as her, finally. The ball is in her court docket.

Shrinking is accessible to stream on Apple TV+. Try the Season 2 trailer:

Watch on Apple TV+