‘Shrinking’ Star Luke Tennie on Season 2, Hopes for Season 3

[The following story includes spoilers for Shrinking season two.]

Luke Tennie‘s Sean had arguably one of the vital outlined progress storylines in season two of Shrinking.

The character started the season by avoiding a good friend from the army, not chatting with his household and making an attempt to do or say something to make Jason Segel’s Jimmy joyful. By the top of it, he had taken his good friend, Jorge, underneath his wing, made amends together with his father and switched Harrison Ford’s Paul as his therapist.

Alongside the best way, he even started a relationship with Paul’s new neurologist, Dr. Sykes (Amy Rosoff). Whereas that seemingly wasn’t within the script, Tennie explains that his banter and improv with Rosoff and Ford led showrunner Invoice Lawrence, who co-created the present alongside Segel and Brett Goldstein, to write down the connection into the script.

“As we had been doing the banter factor, we had been enhancing and form of discovering stuff, after which Harrison was constructing different elements of the scene so he may disapprove,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter of his first day on set with Rosoff. “It was a lot enjoyable.”

He remembers that Lawrence walked on set whereas they had been taking part in round, and he preferred their dynamic. So, he requested them what they considered bringing it again someway for a “enjoyable little reveal.” When the Nickel Boys actor obtained the script a couple of weeks later, the connection had been written into it.

“What Invoice does is he pays consideration to what occurs when his actors get the phrases. In order that got here excellent within the second,” he says. “Invoice was like, ‘Nah, that is the path I wish to take Sean. He’s therapeutic now, and the best way we are able to see this therapeutic is in him committing to exploring romance once more, which we by no means noticed in season one.’ So now we get an opportunity to see what Sean seems like as anyone who’s feeling anyone.”

Under, Tennie opens up about his hopes for Sean within the already renewed season three, working alongside Ford extra this season, why he “by no means would have thought” of Goldstein as Louis and extra.

Speak to me about Sean’s journey this season. What was it like taking part in out this huge arc for him during the last 12 episodes?

I imply, as an actor, whenever you get scripts like this, you see that you simply get to be part of an excellent present with a loopy solid, with a loopy record of producers, superior crew, you’re simply joyful to be part of it. And whenever you get phrases to say like this, the gratitude simply actually washes over. For me, it’s been an honor taking part in Sean. I can’t wait to do it extra, however this season has been so fulfilling, and I’m so proud that Sean will get to be this instance for individuals to point out what it seems like whenever you commit in direction of making a change in your life, whenever you commit in direction of making an attempt to recuperate and heal from traumas, making an attempt to be a greater individual for the individuals that you simply love. It’s simply such an honor to painting a personality like that on such an superior present with such an superior group.

Sean grew a lot over the course of just about one season. Final season, he was nonetheless actually struggling, and by the top of this one, he’s doing tremendous effectively. What was it like portraying that?

It’s difficult to be such a fan of this individual that you simply’re taking part in, after which to look at it form of daybreak on them that they’ve been shifting within the mistaken path. This poor man was so sure that he had form of been mounted. After which it turns into made recognized, not simply to him, however to Jimmy that out of the 2 sufferers, Sean and Grace [Heidi Gardner], the one who actually had points is Sean as a result of he’s eliminated himself from all of the individuals in his life. The purpose behind remedy isn’t to take away all the issues out of your life. It’s to provide the instruments to deal with the issues in your life, and Sean had been incomes every considered one of these instruments and had not ever used them to unravel any of his issues. So fixing these issues is the principle problem in season two, and he doesn’t do it efficiently proper off the bat. It’s going to take some time. So for me, it’s thrilling, but additionally watching this character hurts. I’m a fan of his progress and to see him regress hurts, however everyone knows it’s reflective of actuality.

I wished to ask you in regards to the combat, or non-fight, that Sean has with the development employees outdoors of the bar the place he chooses to not combat again. Speak to me about that. Why do you assume he wanted to backslide one final time? Why did he wish to get beat up?

I believe it’s Sean’s excessive model of self-harm. The factor about combating abroad and being in a scenario the place it’s life and loss of life on a regular basis is it’s exhausting to see smaller points as one thing that’s essential, simply because the dimensions could look small. That is one thing I really like in regards to the present, too. If you take a look at Liz’s (Christa Miller) character and her arc, she retains being upset at herself for seeing points as a result of she is aware of there’s individuals round her with, quote-unquote, greater points. She’s making an attempt to attenuate her personal points as a result of, take somebody like Sean, for instance, who has PTSD. Comparatively, she seems like she shouldn’t have these big emotions and feelings, these unfavorable views on her life as a result of she doesn’t have the appropriate to. Sean remains to be doing that in his personal life. He’s not abroad anymore. “So why am I so indignant? Why am I so violent?” So he’s pressured with this entire conundrum, and he has a meltdown the place he desires to really feel ache and the completion of his arc of looking for violence in season one, I believe seeing him sacrifice himself to really feel this ache reveals to me that he by no means actually wished to win these fights. He was all the time trying simply to get harm, and he discovered find out how to do it. And I believe that marks progress. Though it’s terrifying, I don’t assume Sean will want something like that anymore in his future.

Over the past two seasons, we’ve additionally seen Sean develop nearer to the present’s solid, and their dynamic onscreen has been actually nice. How did you all develop that?

To be trustworthy, the phrases. The phrases are nice, and it helps that we like one another. And right here’s what I’m beginning to study. In moments the place you’ve got a performer … take my scene in episode 4 [where I scream at Jimmy], for instance, that was exhausting work. Sean’s going by way of one thing. I’ve to form of assault this one that I enormously admire, who’s been basic in my understanding of comedy for the previous 15-20 years, Jason Segel, and now I’ve to yell at him, get in his face and all these items. And then you definitely assume that might make it difficult. However the fact is, whenever you get pleasure from these individuals and also you get to work with them and also you belief them, then they type of aid you come additional out of this place. I used to be scared in that second. I didn’t wish to perpetuate this indignant Black man stereotype. However what Invoice had written, what Brett and Jason had written, was not fulfilling that stereotype, as a result of that is a few younger man who desires to overcome his anger, and that’s what a whole lot of African American individuals have to see these days. And I’m grateful that Sean will get to painting it. So, I believe the dynamic simply comes from us liking one another and simply actually good phrases on the web page.

The scripts are insane. Each single episode, virtually each single line that comes out of everybody’s mouth is so humorous however then additionally so highly effective. I’m similar to, “How did all of them do that?” This season, we get a greater take a look at Sean’s household life. What was it like exploring that facet of him?

Ah, it’s unimaginable. It’s nice working with all of the great performers who play Sean’s household. I actually get pleasure from working with Logan [Carter], Kenajuan [Bentley], with Mimi [Fletcher]. That’s my brother, my dad and my mother. They’re simply so heat and so enjoyable. And each probability I get to work with them is nice. After which we’ve a brand new introduction, too, [of Jorge], performed by Trey Santiago-Hudson, who’s develop into an in depth good friend of mine. I simply actually get pleasure from what it’s prefer to see these features of Sean’s life. However greater than that, it’s all the time enjoyable taking part in with actors who you belief. So, once more, shout out to [casting directors] Brett [Benner] and Debby [Romano] for locating these great performers who are also good individuals. It’s a cube roll. I don’t know the way you do it. Generally individuals are sensible, however they ain’t chill. They ain’t cool, however that’s not been my expertise on Shrinking. Brett and Debby someway discovered find out how to solid good-hearted people in addition to good actors.

Additionally a part of Sean’s progress noticed him going from being scared to speaking to Jorge, his good friend from abroad, to type of serving as a mentor for him. How was it bringing that story to life?

Oh, that’s so inspiring to me, as a result of that’s form of what my life seems like. I’ve very, very shut pals, and we every are higher at sure issues in our lives than others. Not two of us are actually that wonderful on the identical factor. After I take into consideration my shut pals, anyone’s obtained one thing down, and once I take a look at this friendship between Sean and Jorge, it jogs my memory a whole lot of my shut pals, and the way there is likely to be one thing that the opposite has that we are able to search to realize from them simply by way of osmosis, simply from being round them and watching them work together with the world. And I adore it as a result of it’s so chill. These two guys, they actually appear to have this type of take care of one another. And it’s additionally nice to see what it will appear like for Sean to essentially dig into his previous and cope with it in a wholesome approach. That’s what that relationship seems like. It seems like coping with the previous responsibly.

We additionally see Sean swap from Jimmy as his fundamental therapist to Paul, with Jimmy serving to out a little bit bit. Why do you assume that was an essential step for him to soak up his path?

That is a type of issues that I simply I gotta give reward to the writers once more for as a result of I don’t assume it was nearly Sean needing two individuals with two totally different units of experience. It was actually about Paul and Jimmy studying that they should work collectively regardless of their variations. Jimmy is all the time searching for Paul’s approval, however for Paul to be wonderful, Jimmy must criticize Paul for what he’s missing, and Jimmy must get his stuff collectively and truly use a whole lot of his abilities along with his new avant-garde method to remedy. However Paul wants to simply accept what works from that avant-garde remedy and in addition nonetheless be the inspiration. So all people wants one another in these cool and attention-grabbing methods. And the writers are subconsciously form of encouraging this type of invisible theme, which is teamwork. So, Sean’s the results of teamwork, and he’s additionally requiring teamwork from these individuals who actually discover it exhausting to work collectively. It’s a terrific present. It’s a masterclass in writing. I’ve been writing for a bit, so once I’m taking a look at it, I’m like, “Yeah, yeah. Invoice, Brett, Jason, they might maintain a TED discuss or a masterclass.” All people can be studying and loving find out how to write comedy higher.

That swap in Sean’s life gave you extra scenes with Harrison Ford. How was that have?

Superior. Harrison’s nice. That curmudgeon factor that he be placing on, it’s pretend. You already know what I’m saying? Like all he desires to do is make individuals giggle. That’s his factor, bro. He making an attempt to make individuals giggle. And once I get the chance to work with him, he’s nonetheless Indiana Jones. He’s nonetheless freaking Han Solo. He’s nonetheless the president, like “Get off my aircraft.” He’s all of that in a single, however the factor about him is that vitality, that fierceness, that depth, is simply directed at being wonderful. It’s not directed or misdirected at anybody’s expense. This man cares so deeply about getting the phrases proper, particularly as a result of he’s taking part in the one who’s form of orating this actual remedy. He desires to nail it, and all of us get to be part of watching him nail it, and now taking part in his consumer, I get to be part of demonstrating what these instruments appear like when put into apply. So I’m checking all of the bins on this one.

One other a part of Sean’s storyline this season was his meals truck enterprise, which appears to be flourishing. Did you are taking any type of inspiration out of your actual life for these storylines or anything?

Once more, extra credit score to the writers. Shout out to Neil [Goldman], Brett, Jason, Ashley [Nicole Black]. We obtained Invoice. Simply so many nice writers. After I first signed on to the present, they requested me the form of stuff I used to be into, and I believe they simply paid consideration to which one I talked the longest about. And it was cooking. I really like cooking. So it was as a result of they requested me about what I loved — cooking — that Sean now could be anyone who cooks professionally. So they simply stole straight from my life, and now I get to do that factor within the job that I really like, that’s additionally this factor that I really like. Oh, I can’t. That is nice. It’s a terrific life.

The subsequent step that Sean takes in his life is to get into a brand new relationship with Paul’s physician. Speak to me about that.

Oh, man. It appeared like that arc occurred on a whim. I’m undecided if Invoice had any plans beforehand, however I obtained to satisfy this excellent performer, Amy [Rosoff, who plays Dr. Sykes], and I met her on the day the place we did the scene the place Sean first meets her, the place he goes to the physician’s workplace with Paul. And she or he was unimaginable and tremendous humorous and heat, and as we had been doing the banter factor, we had been enhancing and form of discovering stuff, after which Harrison was constructing different elements of the scene so he may disapprove. It was a lot enjoyable. And what I really like a lot about that’s Invoice walked on the set. He was like, “Huh, that is cool. Hey, what do you guys assume if we convey this again? You already know, a enjoyable little reveal.” I take a look at Amy. I take a look at Harrison. Harrison seems at Amy. Harrison seems at me. All of us smile like we all know it’s gonna be one thing cool, after which I get the scripts a pair weeks later. Increase, and now it’s actual. So what Invoice does is he pays consideration to what occurs when his actors get the phrases. In order that got here excellent within the second, and Invoice was like, “Nah, that is the path I wish to take Sean. He’s therapeutic now, and the best way we are able to see this therapeutic is in him committing to exploring romance once more, which we by no means noticed in season one.” So now we get an opportunity to see what Sean seems like as anyone who’s feeling anyone.

Invoice has talked lots about how this season was about forgiveness, and the way each type of character has their very own type of path to forgiveness. Speak to me about Sean’s.

I believe Invoice simply has such a particular imaginative and prescient. He actually cuts the fats off of all of his work, and I believe that theme working so rampantly and so considerably all through each character’s arc outcomes on this type of conviction within the viewers the place they assume, “Oh, man, it sounds so cliche, however it actually is true. Forgiveness shouldn’t be for the opposite individual, it’s for me.” So what he’s completed is paint this image that demonstrates that is when individuals can transfer ahead, once they settle for, forgive, then the doorways open.

Earlier than that, whenever you simply attempt to preserve breaking these doorways down, you come out harm like, what in the event you do break the door down, however you additionally break your arm? You harm your ankle making an attempt to kick by way of this door. What if there is no such thing as a door till you study to forgive? That’s this entire season, and from Sean’s perspective, it’s very clear. You bought that transient second with Liz, after which it’s his father. In sure instances, it’d even be together with his therapists, like making an attempt to determine why he feels so let down by them. So a whole lot of it’s simply accepting the duty and studying that we have to forgive others earlier than we transfer ahead. It’s for us.

I’m glad you talked about the Liz scene. That was exhausting to look at. You don’t see Sean and Liz combat like that at another level. How is it taking part in that out with Christa Miller?

Properly, I belief Christa a terrific deal, not solely as a result of she’s wonderful, however as a result of I believe we’ve nice chemistry by way of understanding what objective our characters serve within the present. So every time Liz and Sean are round one another, Liz goes to Liz on the highest diploma. She’s actually going to randomly trauma dump and be like, “Yo, I obtained a little bit sister. She’s French. It’s high quality.” She randomly desires to only speak about how a lot she hates this one that makes use of these sure phrases as a meals blogger. She’s gonna Liz. What that does is it exhibits you that these individuals are very comfy round one another to be their most genuine selves. However, in that second, for Sean, Liz reached behind this veil that Sean had, which was, “We get to be ourselves as a result of I’m not tasked with being round my household.” What she did was [bring] his household in entrance of his face. So, as an alternative of seeing Liz, he sees all these issues between her and him, after which he blows up due to these issues, probably not due to Liz. However what I do admire is how shortly he was in a position to apologize and recalibrate. That exhibits the emotional progress too. And though we don’t spend an excessive amount of on that second, it’s actually humorous. That second the place he goes to remedy with Liz is basically important, and you’ll see how a lot she cares for Sean by exhibiting up, as a result of, darn effectively, she wouldn’t have been in there for another individual.

In the identical vein of forgiveness, Sean had his personal issues, after which, after all, Jimmy and Alice had every thing with Louis. What did you assume whenever you first noticed that he can be launched within the script?

I couldn’t have guessed that it will be Brett, that’s for certain. However the principle factor I believed was it makes a lot sense why this character can be delivered to the forefront in such a singular approach as a result of he did do one thing mistaken, however it was not deliberately mistaken. He’s additionally remorseful. He already regrets it. What would make it simple is that if Jimmy needed to cope with this particular person who wasn’t remorseful, who wasn’t regretful, however he has to cope with this one that’s already sorry. That’s a problem and making an attempt to determine, “If this individual’s already sorry, it feels prefer it’s speeding my forgiveness. I’m not prepared to do this but.” That entire dialog, simply to me, enhances Shrinking‘s capabilities to the max. It actually form of exhibits what it’s prefer to be in the true world. As a result of in the true world, lots of people know once they’ve completed mistaken, and it’s important to cope with what it’s like once they’ve completed accepting their wrongdoing earlier than you’ve got. What a problem.

Sean helps Alice, performed by Lukita Maxwell, see that she could desire a sure factor from Jimmy, however Jimmy wants to do this in his personal time. What was it like being that sounding board for her and type of telling her, like, “Look, give him a break”?

What was so cool about that to me is I believe Sean cares a terrific deal about Alice, not simply because she’s a cool individual. She cares lots about individuals. I believe he cares lots about her as a result of he is aware of that Alice is the daughter to the person who form of saved him. So he is aware of how essential Alice is to Jimmy and desires to be sure that he could be every thing he wants for her. And, in that second, he is aware of she wants a type of powerful, talking-to, which is like, “Yo, you mess up. Like, take a look at what you probably did this season,” form of factor. “You over right here asking for forgiveness, however you continue to struggling to offer it to this man who’s saving all these different individuals.”

We see that type of factor mirrored in Paul’s relationship together with his daughter, performed by the splendidly implausible Lily Rabe. And I believe the rationale why we’ve these arcs there may be as a result of it’s nuanced. Mother and father shouldn’t want something from their kids — at the very least for my part. You shouldn’t want something. You introduced them right here, nothing from them that ought to be a requirement for you, however Jimmy wants individuals’s approval. He must be wished by Alice, and that damages their relationship. Regardless that she misplaced a mother, he did lose a spouse. So I believe for her to form of should cope with that context, now that she’s 18, she’s obtained to be an grownup about it. Sean is difficult and serving to her notice that.

You talked about that you simply weren’t imagining Louis to be performed by Brett. Why do you assume he finally was the appropriate actor for the function?

What’s so loopy is the retroactive “Of cooooourse! I by no means would have thought.” I keep in mind studying this character’s phrases and actually seeing the form of conduct that this character had, the form of sincerity. And, earlier than I met Brett, I wouldn’t have thought that this man would have been excellent for this half. However lots of people don’t know that Brett’s character is much nearer to Louis than it’s to Roy Kent. Roy with this tough, gruff, tumble exterior. There’s a lot to Brett that’s like that. He’s freaking constructed like Hercules. That’s a factor of his, however he’s such a candy, type human being, and we see that with Louis, particularly within the flashbacks. I’m excited for the viewers to see that context, however I’m so grateful that he stated sure to that half as a result of nobody else may have introduced the levity in addition to the depth that he did.

The place do you hope Sean goes within the already renewed season three?

In my view, I hope we go to the previous for Sean. I wish to see what occurred in Afghanistan. I believe we’ve seen a lot of Sean’s progress, and we haven’t seen the place he’s come from. However the different factor is I wish to see him sooner or later with Jorge. I wish to see what that relationship seems like. I wish to see him get nearer together with his household. I wish to see what it seems like when he takes his instruments again residence as an alternative of simply working away. I wish to see him transfer out [of Jimmy’s house]. However, huge time, I wish to see the previous. I wish to go to Afghanistan, and I wish to see what occurred.

What are you able to tease in regards to the subsequent season?

To be trustworthy, nothing. I do know as a lot as anybody who has seen the top of episode 12. The one factor that I knew about seven minutes earlier than all people else knew was that we had been having a season three. That’s it. However the earlier query that you simply requested, what I’m hoping for, I actually hope that we get to see Sean extra with Jorge, extra together with his household, and I actually hope we get to see the place Sean got here from. I wish to see what broke him.

Shrinking season two is now streaming on Apple TV+.