Everyone needs a bit of Derek in their lives. Okay, maybe a lot.
Ever since Shrinking debuts its first season back in 2023, audiences latched onto McGinley’s kind, affable, and affectionate character. He takes so much in stride while doling out some keen advice to his therapist circle of friends. In season two, he watches his son take a few steps towards learning about women, but he and his wife, Christa Miller’s Liz, face a troublesome and emotional roadblock that shows us our beloved Derek in a whole new light. Maybe we can be there for him as much as he has been there for us
There is an up-front nature to Derek’s affection. McGinley doesn’t think he’s dopey or naïve, but he has carved a path for himself because he has the privilege to go for what he wants at all times. He is present in every scene, as if he wants all of his friends to know that he’s available as a source of comfort at all times. Shrinking is a comedy that takes us to the edge of our emotions before making our eyes well with delightful humor. To put it quite simply, Derek is the embodiment of what the show’s goodness is striving for.
“I blame it on the writing,” he says, slyly. “I think they created a sort of Frankenstein with Derek. Whether they like it or not, he has created his own energy on that set and in that show. I don’t want to say that he’s easy-come-easy go, because he’s not trite and he’s not as surface as he sometimes seems. He wants to live in a positive space, and he’s decided to spend his time in the most positive way that he can. I feel sometimes that Derek resonates a little more than normal because he’s the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Perhaps every character should be looking to Derek for how to ease everyone else’s troubles? Almost like a beacon of light, McGinley reveals his favorite aspect of his character.
“Jason and I have been having conversations about whether happiness is a choice,” he says. “No one gets through life without many, many challenges, and I do believe that you can choose, at some point, to live in a more enlightened way. If you’re lucky. My favorite thing about Derek is that he doesn’t judge people, and he can meet people where they are. He roots for the best in people.”
Miller and McGinley’s characters share a marriage unlike anyone on television. She sparks (lovingly) and he soothes. She complains (lovingly) and he pats you on the shoulder. Their relationship isn’t harried, though, and it appears that they have one of the most honest bonds since they give the other the freedom to bounce and play.
“Liz and Derek are unusual, because they are so honest,” McGinley says. “Christa can be a little bit tough to read as a person at first. When you’re working with her, you never really know what’s going to come, and I love that. She challenges me in such a unique way, because I don’t know how she’s going to play a scene or how she is going to say something. She’s so gifted.”
Liz feels frustrated by some things in her life, and she ends up kissing a former beau, Mac, played by Josh Hopkins. When she eventually tells him, Derek asks for details, and his heart seems like it cracked a little. For the next few episodes, Liz apologizes and goes out of her way to show her gratitude towards her husband, her voice chipper and adoring. Later on during a group get together, Derek quietly takes Liz’s hand, and she knows that he has forgiven her. It’s realistic, calm, and sweet. A gesture that spoke louder than any dialogue could.
“That was so tactile,” he says. “And none of that was manufactured. Normally, a show would have a big apology scene, and it felt like ours was more like how life really works? There were crew members who were crying over that.”
Since McGinley is a dream to speak with, I asked him to put his Derek hat on for three rapid fire questions.
Since he would reach for dessert before his running shoes, what’s his favorite? “I would say a simple chocolate brownie,” he says.”
If Gaby and the White Saviors was a real band, what would he play? “Bass player, for sure,” McGinley fires back.
Even though Mac has a microbrewery and Derek came to defend his honor…has Derek actually been in a fight before?
“As an adult, probably not,” he says, with a chuckle. “He’s found a way to get through without it. But I’m sure he did when he was younger and playing golf in high school.”
Shrinking is streaming now on Apple TV+.
