Christa Miller is back on the screen, captivating audiences in her role as Liz in the Apple TV comedy series Shrinking. The show, which centers around unconventional therapists, is now entering its third season, further solidifying its place in the television landscape. Miller portrays a complex neighbor to Jason Segel’s character, a neurotic psychiatrist navigating personal and professional challenges.
At 61, Miller boasts an impressive television career, having starred in nine seasons of The Drew Carey Show, another nine on Scrubs, and six seasons of Cougar Town. During a recent Zoom interview, she reflected on the early signs that Shrinking would resonate with viewers and continue for years.
Confidence in a Promising Pilot
Miller recalls her immediate connection to the show when she first read the pilot script. “You know at different points. But Shrinking I feel like when I read the pilot — and that was six or eight months before we were gonna do it. My agent was sending me other shows and I was, ‘No, I’m doing this show — it’s going to be picked up,’” she stated.
Her confidence was further bolstered during the show’s initial table read, which included notable cast members like Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. “It killed!” she added, noting the positive reactions from both the cast and the executives from Apple and Warner Brothers. “I walked out, and the people — all the Apple executives and the Warner Brother executives — were right behind me. And I was, ‘Don’t you guys have a notes session?’ And, ‘No,’ no notes.”
Miller found this lack of feedback refreshing, saying, “I thought, ‘Well, this show is great. They trusted us. They weren’t going to interfere.’” She emphasized the effort required to craft each episode, expressing hope that the writers would continue to deliver innovative content as the series evolves.
Exploring Complexity Through Liz
In Shrinking, Miller’s character, Liz, plays an essential role as Segel’s neighbor, who steps in to support him as he copes with his wife’s unexpected death and the challenges of raising a troubled teenage daughter. “Liz is so different than who I am. It’s very complicated for me to get in and work on her intention,” Miller explained. “But also really fun in a tricky way, like figuring out a puzzle.”
Throughout the series, Liz undergoes her own journey of self-discovery, striving to improve her relationships and open up more to those around her. “She’s someone that says whatever she wants to; she has no filter and is in everyone’s business,” Miller noted, adding, “which would drive me crazy. Luckily, she’s funny.”
The third season of Shrinking premieres on March 15, 2024, with a special one-hour episode available on Apple TV. As the series continues to explore the intricacies of its characters, Miller remains enthusiastic about the journey ahead.
Miller’s long-standing marriage to Bill Lawrence, the creator of Scrubs and co-creator of Cougar Town and Ted Lasso, adds another layer to her connection with the entertainment industry. With such a rich history in television, Miller’s contributions to Shrinking promise to entertain and resonate with audiences, making her yet another standout in a legacy of beloved characters.
