‘Shrinking’s Brett Goldstein Reflects On The “Fulfilling” Challenge Of Playing “An Open Wound Of A Man”

During Brett Goldstein’s early days in the Ted Lasso writers’ room, he knew in his soul that he was meant to play legendary footballer Roy Kent. He filmed an audition tape, emailed it to the team, and braced for the possibility that no one else would see the vision. Instead, he got the green light to join AFC Richmond and embarked on the defining role of his career, winning two Emmys along the way.

Following the show’s overwhelming success, Goldstein teamed up with Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence to bring a more personal comedy to Apple TV+: Shrinking. As a writer and producer on the series — which follows therapists and their loved ones finding levity amidst grief — Goldstein’s talents and humor are typically utilized behind the camera. But in Season 2, he joined the cast in a role unlike any he’d played before. This time, it wasn’t Goldstein who saw himself as the character, but fellow co-creator Jason Segel.

“It was very special,” Goldstein told Decider over Zoom. “I love and respect Jason so much, so if he suggests something, you listen.”

Segel, who also plays therapist Jimmy Laird in the series, admitted that his experience on the long-running sitcom How I Met Your Mother encouraged his belief that Goldstein should play Louis, the drunk driver who killed Jimmy’s wife. “I went through the experience of being seen a certain way for a long time, but believing I could do other stuff. And I worked hard to make that happen,” Segel told Decider via Zoom. “I knew that Brett wanted to play Louis. I knew that he would be great at it. And I also knew it wasn’t how he is typically seen, so there might be some barriers to entry for that to happen. I felt a lot of kinship in the fact that Brett should play that part, that he was going to nail it, and that everyone deserved to see how good he was going to be.”

When asked if Goldstein was starting to feel a similar genre complacency in his career, the actor reflectively admitted, “Yeah, I think so.”

“I actually think when you put it like that, which it hasn’t been put like, it was quite moving that Jason believed in me,” Goldstein said. “I was worried about it. Shrinking‘s a really good show, and I didn’t want to come in and ruin it. It’s a very, very, very different part than I’ve played. And it’s not a fun part at all, but I’m very glad I did it. I don’t know if ‘enjoyed’ is the word, but it was very fulfilling.”

Between Goldstein’s history with sitcoms, his success as a stand-up comic, and his wholesome love of The Muppets, the multi-hyphenate has made quite a name for himself in comedy over the past two decades — so much so that even Lawrence had trouble envisioning him in the more dramatic role.

“I didn’t see it at first in my head. I admit it,” Lawrence told Decider. “And Brett is never pushy, so if it weren’t for Jason, it probably wouldn’t have happened. Now I’m very grateful that he did it. I think he’s so good in it.”

If you’ve seen Goldstein’s 2015 film Superbob, you might not be startled by the sight of his clean-shaven face on Shrinking, but the heartbreaking emotions his performance evokes will catch you off-guard in the best way.

In moments of solitude or when experiencing raw outbursts from Jimmy, Alice (Lukita Maxwell), or Brian (Michael Urie), Goldstein silently and subtly communicates Louis’ inner conflict, pain, and remorse. The actor’s thick brows and expressive eyes lend themselves to Louis’ many facial journeys, and his quiet kindness and inherent likability keep viewers rooting for Louis even in his darkest scenes. While attempting to face his past head-on, Goldstein’s character ruminates on regret and envelops himself in empathy for those he hurt, which was no easy feat for the actor.

“He’s an open wound of a man,” Goldstein explained. “I knew it would be challenging particularly to play over a whole season, with many months in that headspace.” 

Though Goldstein admittedly gets “slightly embarrassed” whenever actors talk about their process, with so much behind-the-scenes involvement on the show, he knew he didn’t have the luxury of staying in character or immersing himself in dark emotions for long periods of time.

“I couldn’t be method. If I’m filming on Wednesday, I couldn’t take Tuesday to sit in it and feel it. I knew I had an hour before shooting to get into it,” he explained. “There’s the writing, which I think is the research. You’ve written this character and lived it in your head. And I’d read lots of accounts from people who had experienced this sort of thing, and listened to lots of podcasts where people were interviewed about it. Then I had a shortcut in my head, which was an image that was devastating that I would think about before every take. I essentially think this guy’s got PTSD, and I imagine this image is looping in his head all day. So that’s what I would do before a scene to get myself into it.”

While getting into character was understandably elaborate, in the spirit of Shrinking Season 1’s beloved therapy technique (a 15-minute cry to a moving song on repeat) Goldstein also shared his go-to sob anthem. “If you need to cry and you ain’t got time, quick! Whack on ‘Lately’ by Stevie Wonder,” the actor said with a chuckle. 

Over the first five episodes of Shrinking‘s sophomore season, Louis approaches Jimmy to apologize for the accident, gets confronted and cursed out by Alice, and tries (and fails) to convince Brian that he’s doing OK. Episode 6, “In a Lonely Place,” written by Goldstein, sets the stage for his most stirring scene yet, when Brian takes Alice to Louis’ apartment for a spontaneous heart-to-heart. Louis’ patience and gentle demeanor makes Alice feel safe enough to discuss her late mom in an emotional monologue that lets Maxwell shine.

“When Jason suggested I do this, I actually talked to Lukita, because I knew the majority of my scenes were with her and I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable,” Goldstein revealed. “I spoke to her and was like, ‘How do you feel about it?’ She said, ‘I would love it.’ From Day 1 we did these really difficult scenes together, like, ‘I got your back, you got my back.’ She’s so wonderful, like an angel — such a good scene partner.”

During the tear-jerking exchange, Louis takes accountability for irrevocably altering Alice’s life. His voice quivers in a display of genuine remorse, but he blinks himself strong, showing palpable relief and gratitude when she offers unexpected forgiveness.

Particularly perceptive fans will notice a seemingly out-of-place beacon of light hanging on a wall in Louis’ somber home: a framed Miss Congeniality poster. When pressed about Sandra Bullock’s 2000 film, Goldstein laughed and said, “Louis gets it. He gets the movie on a deep level.” In Episode 6, Louis also references a photo of his fiancé, Sarah (Meredith Hagner), before swiftly changing the subject. With Lawrence confirming we’ll learn more about Louis’ life and relationship as the season progresses, it’s clear that Goldstein’s character has more layers to peel back.

Here’s hoping the actor can explore more lighthearted sides of Louis while navigating his grief, as is the Shrinking way. Regardless of his character’s fate, Goldstein infused personality into the role, put even more of his heart in the series, and gave fans a refreshing glimpse at his range.

New episodes of Shrinking Season 2 premiere Wednesdays on Apple TV+.