Cobie Smulders Reveals Secret to Chemistry with Jason Segel on “Shrinking”: ‘Still Feel the Same Closeness’ (Exclusive)

**Cobie Smulders Discusses Reuniting with Jason Segel for Apple TV’s ‘Shrinking’**

Cobie Smulders recently shared her enthusiasm for reuniting with her former ‘How I Met Your Mother’ co-star Jason Segel in the new Apple TV series ‘Shrinking.’ In an interview with PEOPLE, the actress reflected on the enduring connection the two have maintained since their time on the beloved sitcom, which originally aired from 2005 to 2014.

In ‘Shrinking,’ Smulders takes on the role of Sofi, a potential romantic interest for Segel’s character, Jimmy. This marks a notable change from their previous dynamic on ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ where Smulders portrayed Robin Scherbatsky and Segel played Marshall Eriksen. Although they shared the screen as part of a larger ensemble, Smulders emphasised that it felt like she had a considerable amount of on-screen time with Segel, despite the ensemble nature of the show.

“I think we never got many scenes together,” Smulders observed. “But I don’t know, it feels like I was in a lot of scenes with Jason.” The actress explained that the chemistry they developed during their nine years working on ‘How I Met Your Mother’ has seamlessly transitioned to their new roles in ‘Shrinking.’

Her friendship with Segel has been a crucial ingredient in this smooth transition. “I don’t know the, like, magic sauce that happened,” she admitted, adding, “I think it’s just we know each other, and we’ve spent so much time together.” Both actors matured throughout their time on the show, with Smulders entering the series at the age of 23 and Segel at 25.

Since the conclusion of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ over a decade ago, Smulders noted that they have both gone through substantial life experiences. Yet, she expressed that their bond remains strong. “I still feel the same closeness to Jason,” she stated, emphasising that their shared history made it feel natural to reconnect. “So it just sort of clicked in,” she added.

In describing their rapport, Smulders advised, “Go spend some time together, and then when you’re still playing pretend with them, it feels very real.” This personal connection has allowed for a genuine portrayal of their characters’ evolving relationship.

The actress also expressed her excitement at the opportunity to gain more quality time with Segel. “When this came up, I was really excited,” Smulders said. “I just got to spend more time in person with him.” This excitement is echoed throughout the cast, as Smulders described herself as a fan of the ‘Shrinking’ series and praised the writing and the talented ensemble involved.

“I think it’s such a brilliant show,” she remarked during the interview. Reflecting on her initial excitement to join ‘Shrinking,’ Smulders described feeling honoured and grateful for the chance to be part of the project. She looked forward to delving into the scripts when she learned she would be returning to the show, excited by the quality of writing and the overall talent within the cast.

New episodes of ‘Shrinking’ season three will be released weekly on Wednesdays through to April 8 on Apple TV. As Smulders returns to a familiar dynamic with Segel, viewers are set to witness the evolution of a long-standing friendship play out in an engaging new context.