**Ted McGinley Shares Anxiety Over ‘Shrinking’ Character’s Fate in Season 3**
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Ted McGinley, the actor known for his role as Derek in the Apple TV series *Shrinking*, has candidly opened up about the anxieties he faced while reading scripts for the show’s third season. Following a deeply concerning turn of events for his character, viewers might recall that Derek found himself hospitalised in recent episodes, leaving McGinley uncertain about his character’s future.
In an interview with PEOPLE, the 67-year-old actor revealed that he experienced “some sleepless nights” as he awaited the unfolding drama of his character’s storyline. “I don’t get to see the story ahead of time,” he said, explaining that he was left in the dark about Derek’s fate until the scripts were distributed each week.
Fans of the show were privy to Derek’s downward spiral after he accidentally ingested cannabis in episode four of the current season. What began as a comic mishap soon turned serious, as Derek learned he had a small heart aberration. This development reached a critical point in episode six, titled “Derek’s Don’t Die,” in which Derek receives alarming news regarding his heart health and requires immediate attention.
During an emotional hospital scene, Derek receives an EKG and is informed by his cardiologist that he must return to hospital urgently due to a blockage in an artery. Faced with the possibility of a life-threatening heart attack, he is scheduled for emergency bypass surgery. In a poignant moment with his partner, Liz—played by Christa Miller—Derek expresses the gravity of his situation, saying, “I can’t even think about what can happen if I don’t [make it].” He leaves her with heartfelt words, affirming his love and laying out practical instructions for her in the event of the worst-case scenario.
Fortunately for the characters—and the audience—the episode concludes with a sigh of relief as it is revealed that Derek’s surgery was successful, prompting Liz to reassure him with the words, “Dereks don’t die.”
Despite the positive outcome, McGinley admits there was an underlying anxiety throughout the filming process. “It was a little nerve-racking this season,” he explained, admitting he genuinely feared that the writers might decide to kill off his character. “I thought they were gonna kill me off,” he reflected, expressing his desire to be surprised by the developments in the story.
McGinley also shared insights into episode four, which featured a comedic scene that conveyed Derek accidentally getting high. He explained that this humorous moment was inspired by a personal experience of showrunner Bill Lawrence with his own son. “Those are the kinds of things you dream about,” McGinley remarked, embracing the creative challenge of portraying a story rooted in authenticity, while also feeling the pressure to honour Lawrence’s real-life narrative.
The actor acknowledged that taking on such a significant moment in the show came with its own set of challenges. “I was a nervous wreck,” he admitted, but ultimately found joy in every moment of the experience.
As fan engagement continues to blossom around *Shrinking*, new episodes of the third season are set to air every Wednesday until the season finale on April 8. As viewers tune in, many will undoubtedly remain invested in Derek’s journey and the unique blend of humour and heartfelt moments the series continues to deliver.
With McGinley’s emotional investment in his character, the future of Derek remains a hot topic among fans, who have grown attached to his narrative arc. As the season unfolds, viewers and the actor alike will continue to discover what lies ahead for Derek in this compelling tale of personal growth and resilience.