Shrinking co-creator Bill Lawrence has opened up about whether Cobie Smulders will make a comeback in season 3 of the Apple TV+ series. In a surprise appearance, Smulders debuted as a new character named Sofi in season 2, episode 10. There, she reunited with her “How I Met Your Mother” co-star Jason Segel, who plays Jimmy and is also one of the show’s co-creators. The encounter between Jimmy and Sofi sparked romantic undertones, hinting that their reunion from “How I Met Your Mother” could extend into Shrinking season 3.
During a conversation about Shrinking’s future, Lawrence shared his eagerness to have Smulders return for season 3, though he admitted that her reprising the role of Sofi isn’t set in stone yet. He explained that Sofi’s introduction was meant to tease the direction Jimmy’s character might take in season 3. Lawrence emphasized his determination, stating that he’ll “do everything I can” to persuade Smulders to come back and build on the engaging dynamic established between Sofi and Jimmy in season 2. Here’s what he said:
“I would kill to have Cobie back in the show. We always do Easter eggs for what the next season’s about in the season before. And so, Cobie’s character is kind of a personification, a visual representation of what moving forward looks like for Jason’s character. If I can’t get lucky enough to have her back, we’re gonna have to go back to the drawing board. I was a How I Met Your Mother fan and I did not even think about it when I was watching the scene, which is a good thing because a bad version of that could be like, ‘Oh, this is kind of cool. It’s just two old friends from a beloved show doing a scene together,’ but it felt authentic and was so romantic. I thought they were both so good in it that I’m gonna do everything I can to coerce her into coming back to the show.”
What this means for Shrinking season 3 is that Cobie Smulders’ return is quite likely. While Lawrence’s remarks don’t confirm her comeback, his enthusiasm is an encouraging indication that she could continue as Sofi in the upcoming season. Smulders herself has also shown excitement about reuniting with Segel, working on Shrinking season 2, and the possibility of further exploring the character of Sofi. Given that both she and the show’s creative team are keen on her involvement, as long as there are no scheduling conflicts with her other projects, the odds of her being in season 3 are high.
Despite the romantic chemistry between them, Jimmy didn’t pursue a relationship with Sofi in season 2 as he confessed he wasn’t ready for a committed relationship again. However, with the significant progress Jimmy made in healing from his grief and trauma by the end of Shrinking season 2, he might be more open to a serious relationship with Sofi in season 3. The character development in the last three episodes of season 2 has laid the groundwork for this relationship to blossom in the next season.
Bill Lawrence’s comments is great news for both Shrinking and “How I Met Your Mother” fans. It’s reassuring to know that Smulders’ debut on Shrinking was well-received by Lawrence and the show’s creative team, as well as the general audience. Whether as a recurring guest star or even a series regular among Shrinking’s cast, she would be a wonderful addition. Beyond being a nostalgic reunion from “How I Met Your Mother”, a romantic relationship between Jimmy and Sofi could help Jimmy continue to grow, while also presenting new challenges, such as in his relationship with his daughter, Alice. This, in turn, could lead to some truly captivating storylines in future episodes of Shrinking.
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