Interview: Shrinking star Michael Urie on his Favorite Scene Partner and Discovering Brian is a Narcissist

In preparation for this year’s Emmy nomination voting, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the charismatic Michael Urie, who brings warmth, humor, and heart to the character of Brian on Apple TV+’s Shrinking.  Known for his sharp comedic timing and emotional range, Urie shines in the series, which was created by Brett Goldstein, Bill Lawrence, and Jason Segel.

In its second season, Shrinking continues to explore the complexities of grief, growth, and the human connection. For Brian, season two brings with it a slew of new emotional and personal challenges. He and his partner are seriously considering whether they’re ready to adopt a child. At the same time, Brian finds himself in a uniquely supportive role for Alice (played by the wickedly talented Lukita Maxwell), as she grapples with past trauma and forms an unexpected bond with Louis Winston (Brett Goldstein), the man inadvertently responsible for her mother’s death.

During our conversation, Michael was very open, diving into the multi-layered nature of his character and the joy of working alongside such a great ensemble cast. One of the most striking revelations he shared was his own realization about Brian’s character arc—specifically, coming to terms with the fact that Brian might actually be… a narcissist.

“There’s this scene with Jason Segel where his character, Jimmy, is going through something really intense, and I just keep making it all about me,” Michael recalled. “And at one point, Jason’s character just stops and asks, ‘Are you really such a narcissist that you can’t see this isn’t about you?’ And I responded in character, ‘Yes, Jimmy. That’s what narcissism is—having the courage to put yourself above others.’ And in that moment, I thought, ‘Wait a minute… is Brian a narcissist?’” Urie laughed, clearly still amused and a bit surprised by the clarity that moment provided.

Our conversation also touched on his deep admiration for his co-star Lukita Maxwell, whose character, Alice, shares several pivotal scenes with Brian in season two. “She’s so alive and so open,” Urie said with genuine affection. “To me, she’s like the soul of the whole show. If what she’s doing doesn’t work, nothing works. Because she’s the kid—the emotional anchor—watching all these flawed adults around her try to navigate their lives, make mistakes, learn, and grow. And she’s making mistakes too, but with such vulnerability and strength. It’s amazing to witness.”

Michael also praised the collaborative and creatively fulfilling atmosphere on set, noting how each cast member brings a different energy and perspective, which makes the ensemble feel like a true reflection of the messy, beautiful realities of life. For those who haven’t yet watched Shrinking, both seasons are now streaming on Apple TV+.

You can watch my full interview with Michael Urie below. And if you’re a member of the Television Academy—or part of any guild or organization that honors excellence in television—don’t forget to consider Michael Urie for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His performance as Brian is not only worthy of recognition, but a perfect example of how a performance can be both entertaining and deeply emotional sometimes at the same time .