Williams and Ford star alongside each other on the Apple TV series
Credit: Todd Williamson/Shutterstock
NEED TO KNOW
- Jessica Williams is opening up about her off-screen friendship with Harrison Ford
- The Shrinking star spoke with PEOPLE at the Television Academy’s 2026 Televerse Festival in Los Angeles on Aug. 15
- Williams and Ford star alongside each other on the Apple TV series
Jessica Williams is offering a glimpse at her dynamic with Harrison Ford.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Television Academy’s 2026 Televerse Festival in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, the Shrinking actress, 37, shared what her relationship with the legendary actor looks like outside of filming the Apple TV series.
“For the most part, I try not to bother him,” she says. “He’s a man who’s like 84, who’s lived a lot of life. Like, I don’t need friendship from him. It’s just a matter of [if] he wants to talk, I’ll talk. And if he doesn’t, that’s fine, too.”
“He’s [84], and you don’t need much nonsense and shenanigans, so save that for your friends in your 30s,” Williams adds. “I have friends that I get to send stupid memes to and stuff, and I find them really fulfilling. So I don’t need anything from him.”
Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty
This doesn’t mean Williams doesn’t enjoy messing with Ford on the Shrinking set. Back in February, The Incredible Jessica James star told PEOPLE she finds ways to tease the Indiana Jones actor. “There’s nothing funnier than seeing Harrison Ford be annoyed,” she said. “That’s kind of the essence of Harrison and why it works. He plays these kinds of cowboy archetypes that are just hemming and hawing, but secretly want to be there and have a great time.”
Williams continued, “If it’s in the script, that’s what I’m gonna do, and then I’m gonna just irritate Harrison just a little more so that it gives him something to push off of too. Part of being a good supporting actor is always trying to give that polarity for the other actor.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In Shrinking, Williams stars as Gaby, a therapist who works alongside Jason Segel’s Jimmy Laird and Ford’s Paul Rhodes. She explained that she and Segel’s characters are meant to annoy Paul, “so, to give Harrison something that he can work with and just be so annoying is key to the performance.”
She also shared that Ford often goes off script: “He does bits. He’s very silly, very giving and yeah, he’ll surprise you. That’s what’s fun about him.”
Credit: Apple TV
Shrinking was nominated for 9 Emmys this year, with Williams considered for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Ford for Outstanding Supporting Actor. Segel, Brett Goldstein, Michael Urie and Michael J. Fox were all nominated in their respective categories as well.
Shrinking is available to stream on Apple TV. The Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on NBC and Peacock Monday, Sept. 14, with host Mariska Hargitay.
Read the full article here
