‘Shrinking’ Surges in the Emmy Race—And Harrison Ford Is Leading the Charge

Harrison Ford’s acting career has spanned decades, with iconic roles in films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. However, despite his legendary status in Hollywood, Ford has never received an Emmy nomination—until now. His role as Dr. Paul Rhoades in the Apple TV+ comedy Shrinking could change that, as the series heads into its second season with significant momentum and Ford’s performance receiving increasing recognition.

When Shrinking premiered in January 2023, many expected Ford to earn his first Emmy nomination for his rare foray into television. However, despite ranking fifth in Gold Derby’s odds for Best Comedy Supporting Actor and receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of a therapist navigating personal and professional challenges, Ford was surprisingly snubbed when the nominations were announced. The show garnered nominations for lead actor Jason Segel and supporting actress Jessica Williams but failed to secure a nod for Ford.

But the second season, which debuted in October 2023, has been a different story. Ford, along with the show itself, has garnered more widespread recognition. At the Golden Globes, both Segel and Ford earned nominations—something that didn’t happen in the first season, when only Segel was recognized. Additionally, Shrinking made its first appearance on the American Film Institute’s list of the top 10 TV programs of 2024, further solidifying its place in the awards conversation.

The most notable shift for Ford’s chances, however, has come at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, where both the show and Ford himself received nominations. This is especially significant because the SAG Awards, like the Emmys, are decided by peers in the entertainment industry. Ford’s individual nomination in the highly competitive comedy category, where lead and supporting performances are merged into a single pool, is a major achievement. He was the only supporting actor nominated alongside the likes of Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This), Ted Danson (A Man on the Inside), and eventual winner Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building).

All these accolades give Shrinking significant momentum heading into Emmy season, with the show ranking fifth in Gold Derby’s odds for Best Comedy Series. With a new, expanded category allowing for eight nominees, Shrinking is expected to receive its first nomination in this category, alongside potential repeat nominations for Segel and Williams. But it’s Ford who could stand to benefit most from the growing buzz surrounding the show.

Currently, Ford ranks second in Gold Derby’s odds for Best Comedy Supporting Actor, a notable jump from the previous year. Michael Urie, who recently won a Critics Choice Award for Shrinking, is also a contender, ranking fourth. Not far behind is Brett Goldstein, the two-time Emmy winner for Ted Lasso, who joined Shrinking in its second season, though he is on the bubble for a nomination in seventh place.

Could Ford even win? The current frontrunner in the category is Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the two-time defending champion for The Bear. However, there are signs that the show’s dominance in comedy acting categories may be waning. The Bear won five of six acting categories last year, but it lost Best Comedy Series, indicating a potential backlash regarding its categorization as a comedy. Additionally, The Bear’s latest season didn’t receive the same level of critical acclaim as its predecessors.

With this in mind, some experts are predicting that Ford could seize the opportunity to win his first Emmy. As of now, three out of 10 expert journalists and four out of 10 Gold Derby editors predict that the legendary actor will take home the trophy, underscoring the rise of Shrinking and Ford’s standout performance.

While Shrinking has certainly gained ground, it’s still possible that Ford could miss out on a nomination, as the competition in the comedy categories remains fierce. 2023 proved that voters aren’t automatically swayed by star power alone. However, with the second season’s growing recognition and Ford’s consistently praised performance, it’s clear that Shrinking is poised to break through—and Ford may be one of its biggest beneficiaries come Emmy time.