As A Ted Lasso Fan, It’s Going To Take Me A Minute To Get Used To Brett Goldstein Without A Beard

The first show where Brett Goldstein really stood out to me was Ted Lasso, and after admiring his work as Roy Kent, it’s incredibly jarring to see the actor looking drastically different in Shrinking. In 2020, Ted Lasso became one of the biggest hits on Apple TV+ with the shows sharp wit and the cast of brilliant actors shining through despite the streaming platforms’ general lack of visibility. While Apple TV+ was putting out some great quality shows, there wasn’t a lot that really kept viewers coming back for more.

Ted Lasso was one of the surprising shows that really changed that for me, and it was even more of a shock because I’m not really a fan of sports in general. So, when a show about an American football coach being hired to train an English soccer team was announced, I really didn’t expect much. However, the show is incredibly heartfelt, emotional, and features one of the most fun and varied ensemble casts on TV. And among those talented actors who made Ted Lasso so full of emotion and laughter, was the stubborn and constantly angry Roy Kent, played by Goldstein.

I Nearly Didn’t Recognize Brett Goldstein In Shrinking Without His Beard

The Beard Is Part Of Roy Kent’s Identity

Roy Kent is such a character because of his efforts to have a tough exterior, literally growling, and trying to turn anyone who comes close away. Along with his distinctive personality, Kent sports a tight, but thick dark beard that defines his character, and he is never seen on Ted Lasso without it. Which made it all the more surprising when the actor showed up in Shrinking with a clean-shaven face that was almost unrecognizable.

Goldstein appears in Shrinking season 2 as the drunk driver who caused the accident that killed Tia, Jimmy’s wife on the show. Aside from the fact that he’s clean-shaven, the actor arrives in the show completely out of the blue, with a significant role. However, already, in the short time that he has been on-screen, it’s clear that this character and the one we are so much more familiar with from Ted Lasso, are going to be completely different.

Brett Goldstein’s Shrinking Character Will Be Very Different From Roy Kent In Ted Lasso

Shrinking From Hero To Zero

Roy Kent is a retired footballer who had a long career which saw him widely praised for his skills. As he continued playing football though, younger players started to quickly arrive on the scene, and it wasn’t long before Kent stopped being the new kid on the block, and began to be the oldest man on the field. Throughout this period, Kent put on a tough outer shell, and largely kept to himself. Throughout the show, the new coach, Ted, helps to coax Kent’s more emotional side out, which helps him to form more genuine relationships and accept life as a retired player.

However, Goldstein’s role in Shrinking appears to have the actor exploring a very different path. Having caused the death of a young mother and wife through reckless drunk driving, Goldstein’s character appears to be stuck. In the first couple of episodes, they have yet to say more than a few words, but it looks as though they are seeking forgiveness and redemption, potentially to try and find a way out of their guilt and grief. Considering Shrinking has set a precedent for exploring tough subjects, it seems well-positioned to tackle this complex character and how they interact with others like Jimmy.

Shrinking Continues Brett Goldstein’s Apple TV+ Success

Goldstein Is A Star In Front Of And Behind The Camera

Brett Goldstein first rose to fame for his work on Ted Lasso, which debuted in 2020. However, after a long hiatus ahead of a future Ted Lasso season 4, the actor, writer and producer, has begun to shift their attention to other work. Goldstein did some work with the writers for Ted Lasso, but he is actually one of three co-creators working on Shrinking. Now he will also have an on-screen role, but behind the scenes, Goldstein has been involved since the start, developing the project with Scrubs creator, Bill Lawrence, and star of the show, Jason Segel.

While the first season of the show received generally positive feedback, season 2 is off to an excellent start as the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are already at 90% Fresh from critics. This is a great sign for Brett Goldstein’s second season, and his on-screen role. Beyond Apple TV+, Goldstein also recently appeared in the MCU as Hercules in Thor: Love and Thunder, and many other projects. So, while Brett Goldstein’s time on Ted Lasso may be in the past, his future with Shrinking and beyond is incredibly bright.

In this series, a therapist grappling with personal tragedy begins to employ a radically candid approach with his clients and in his personal life. As he navigates his roles as a father, friend, and professional, his newfound method leads to unexpected consequences and self-discovery.

Cast

Jason Segel , Luke Tennie , Michael Urie , Lukita Maxwell , Harrison Ford , Jessica Williams , Christa Miller , Ted McGinley , Heidi Gardner , Devin Kawaoka , Lilan Bowden , Kimberly Condict , Lily Rabe , Tilky Jones , Rachel Stubington , Wendie Malick , Sawyer Jones , Mike C. Nelson , Matt Knudsen , Kenajuan Bentley , Adam Foster Ballard

Character(s)

Jimmy , Sean , Brian , Alice , Dr. Paul Rhodes , Gaby , Liz , Derek , Grace , Charlie , Tia , Wally , Meg , Donny , Summer , Dr. Julie Baram , Mason , Dan , Steven , Tim , Nico

Release Date

January 26, 2023

Seasons

2

Streaming Service(s)

Apple TV+

Directors

Bill Lawrence

Showrunner

Bill Lawrence

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