Why Did Jessica Williams Tell Harrison Ford She’s ‘Not Scared’? Shocking On-Set Revelation

According to an immaculate chemistry of their hit show, Shrinking, Jessica Williams once remarked to her legendary co-star Harrison Ford that she was not afraid of him. This would be a very honest answer, given at the period of their shooting another Apple TV+ show, that can tell so much about their unusual relationship.

Many actors would respect Ford and his iconic stature as well as his iconic, aloof, uptight demure. However, Williams had a fantastic way of respectfully being bold in his comedic approach of working with Ford. Violation of the code was not the motive of her admission, though, but something more playful, the tacit conflict of sharing a set with a Hollywood titan. 

This is the same tenacity that enabled her to be herself and signify Ford as a peer rather than being an icon that makes her interpersonal rapport such a crucial brand on-screen and off-screen providing depth to their sequences in real and not posed ways.

Unconventional Chemistry

The relationship between the Gaby character, played by Williams, and Dr. Paul Rhoades, played by Ford is one of the strongest details of Shrinking. The fact that their on-screen relationship starts as teacher and student and develops into a strong mutual respect is testament to their real-life relationship. The fact that Williams felt comfortable around Ford enabled her to improvise so as to apply her own sense of comedy to the role of Gaby.

Such artistic freedom, cultivated by the show creators resulted in some of the most unforgettable and emotional scenes of the show. The cat and mouse relationship between a bubbly, modern therapist and a gruff, old-school psychologist is further aided by the obvious chemistry and laid back riffing between the two performers.

A New Side of Harrison Ford

The fact that Williams is able to disarm Harrison Ford has also led to viewing the actor in a different light, which is not as serious and with the serious face of acting. Ford is associated with having a very grumpy public personality but has visibly lightened up and even pursued weak moments of actual joy during his interviews with and on-camera footage with Williams.

Not only has their professional collaboration made the show more enriched in plot, but also it has helped to bring out a more exposed and comedic side of the great actor that has been enjoyed not only by fans, but also critics. What we have here is a beautiful tribute to the strength of sincere -communication and how even the strongest of Hollywood powerhouses can be conquered by a little of good-hearted candor.

Also Read: Jessica Williams Opens Up: Why ‘The Daily Show’ Suited Her Better Than ‘SNL’ Experience