“Shrinking” co-creator Bill Lawrence took inspiration from Michael J. Fox. The showrunner credited the “Back to The Future” star’s public battle with Parkinson’s as a focal point in shaping Paul, who is played by Harrison Ford.
In the series, Ford plays a character grappling with his own Parkinson’s diagnosis as he practices mental health therapy.
Lawerence told PEOPLE at the Dec. 12 “An Evening with ‘Shrinking’ at PaleyLive” event that he and co-creator Brett Goldstein share a deep connection with the disease given both their fathers have been affected.
According to the National Institute of Aging, Parkinson’s is described as being “a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination,” per the National Institute of Aging.
“It’s cool to get to write about things you care about now,” Lawerence said. “And Michael J. Fox is my first mentor. So we wanted to represent it in hopefully an inspiring and not sad or tragic way.”
Fox was involved in the very first television series in which Lawrence was at the helm of, “Spin City.” The show ran for six seasons from 1996 to 2002.
Lawerence emphasized his commitment to depicting what it’s like to live with the disease for the upcoming third season.
“I found the first mentor in my life and career, Michael J. Fox, to be so inspiring,” Lawerence said. “The way he took it in stride and continues to work harder than anybody I know. And we want to kind of carry that spirit if we can into the show.”
Lawerence also added that although it can take writers some time to discover their own voice, he generally tends to combat adversity with comedy in his own life.
“I suck in the inspiring people around me,” Lawerence said. “I steal from them as much as I possibly can.” He also shared how audience reactions to the series have been particularly meaningful to him.
“Shrinking” stars Jason Segel as a single father mourning the loss of his wife while navigating relationships with his friends, co-workers and boss.
Season 2 of “Shrinking” is available to stream on AppleTV+.