2 weeks Ago By Jovita Trujillo
Season 2 of Shrinking is heating up, with episode 10 now streaming. The latest season continues its dive into grief, trauma, and personal growth while using comedy as a safety blanket. Starring Emmy-nominee Jason Segel and multi-award winner Harrison Ford, an exciting addition to the ensemble is Damon Wayans Jr .
, whose character brings fresh chemistry and maturity to the series as Derrick #2, Gabby's ( Jessica Williams ) potential love interest. While some fans are hopeful that Gabby and Jimmy (Segel) will end up together, Derrick #2 has others hopeful he will be her knight in shining armor. In this exclusive interview HOLA! USA had the opportunity to talk to Damon about his role on the show, using comedy as a coping mechanism, and what it’s like working with such a talented cast.
` So this show is emotional. It talks about grief, trauma, physical and mental health, but it's also very funny. I still remember the first thing that made me laugh after dealing with a major loss.
Is there a moment when comedy helped you through some dark times? Comedy helps me through all my dark times. I don’t know if I can remember a distinct moment, but that’s why I love being a part of my family. My family is, aside from what they do on camera, also very funny off camera.
We deal with grief and everything with comedy. It’s a great coping mechanism and a great way to get through the hard times in life. Fans are eager to see what happens in the next episode because they like the idea of you two together.
What do you think makes their connection compelling? I think what makes their potential relationship compelling is their chemistry. They get along really well. They both have great comedic sensibilities, and they’re physically into each other—they both think the other is attractive.
It’s about seeing where it’s going to lead them because physical attraction isn’t enough. In Derrick’s mind, he sees this woman as wife material, but he’s unsure if Gabby reciprocates that. So we'll see.
I like that—fixer-upper. A lot of women get involved in those projects. They do, and then they fix a guy right up, and he walks out the door, and you're like wait a minute? Selena Gomez is the second Latina in 35 years to earn Golden Globes nominations for TV and film in the same year Antonio Banderas is excited for daughter Stella's wedding with Alex Gruszynski: Melanie Griffith is a proud mom Eiza González stuns in freshly announced 2025 Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse This whole series explores such personal and raw themes.
Did you take anything away emotionally? Watching the show yes. Being in episodes, I don't necessarily internalize it too much. But the episodes, that's when I take a step back.
Definitely, dealing with people that hurt you. Sometimes it's a lot better to forgive and not hold grudges, even if you don't spend the same amount of time with that person. Forgiveness is really a good thing to do for your physical and mental health.
With such a powerhouse cast, do you have any memorable behind-the-scenes moments? I mean, just every moment there. It was like a treat going on to set because everybody there - they know they're hot s**t - like in a great way. They know that they're talented, they know that they're doing great work on a great show, and when you walk on set, you feel like family, like they just bring you right in.
Ted is great. Everybody, let me just say everybody on that show is great. I was looking for the asshole.
There is no asshole, and I just love being on shows like that..
