INTERVIEW
Karolina Kramplova | 06/04/2026
Referring to a career in show business as 'a series of breaks,' Emmy nominated American actor Michael Urie prefaces his major roles in Ugly Betty and Apple TV's Shrinking, "I would never have gotten Shrinking if I hadn't done Ugly Betty. It led to so many things and continues to." In the full swing of the third season of Shrinking, Urie opens up about the relevance of Ugly Betty in the current TV landscape, the appeal of a dramady, turning uncomfortable topics into bearable conversation, and having imposter syndrome, even after twenty years in the business.
Breaking down his weekend, which resembled a theatre marathon, Urie warms up by listing the plays he's just seen: Jellicle Ball, Jessie Tyler Ferguson's True, Titus Andronicus, Dog Day Afternoon, a play by 52 Second Street Project, where children write the plays and professional actors star in them. With a peculiar recommendation of Paranormal Activity: A New Story On Stage (due to my unease at horror films), Urie reassures that the play is of high quality despite not being a horror movie fan himself.
His passion is at the forefront of his long list of credentials, which began with his portrayal of Marc St. James in Ugly Betty, a role that marked a career shift as the series catapulted to first-season mega-success. Urie looks back, talks about the role of the rest of the cast in making sure it was all sinking in. He really brightens up feeling proud speaking about icons like Judith Light, Vanessa Williams, and Tony Plana: "They showed us the ropes and made sure we knew how special it was, because it's always a gift to get a job in this industry, but to be lucky enough to get one that is successful, popular, and is different, also relevant and about something that will last and stand the test of time is very special. I'm proud to watch the show today".
Michael Urie's usual casting orbits around comedy roles, which he always delivers masterfully with his signature wit and charm. He explains, "I think that because my training and start and home is in the theatre, I naturally gravitate towards or am sought out to get parts that are funny." Analysing how comedy matures or flops with time, Urie speaks about a different frame of reference that doesn't always stand the test of time, and highlights how Shrinking fits the criteria: "Shrinking does a lot of that. It's such a dramedy. There's so much drama in it, but it's through a lens of comedy, and it's really holding a mirror up to nature, as Shakespeare said, and usually it's funny, because we're funny. Humans are funny," he laughs.
Often, it is humour and comedy that offer a sense of much-needed relief for those who may be going through darker times and struggle with mental health issues. Right off the bat, Apple TV's Shrinking opens a vault of tougher subjects, such as grief, loss, PTSD, and emotional abuse in a relationship. It is known to navigate through a combination of techniques, some more unorthodox than others. But as Michael Urie reaffirms, it is all about starting the conversation in the first place. He details, "I've read the scripts and been in a lot of the scenes, but when I see the show sometimes, light bulbs go off for me. It's educational to see people talking about it, dealing with things, and then to think about my own life."
Although the debate of mental health has often previously been considered taboo or even a buzzkill, in recent years, society has flirted with becoming a more compassionate collective. As a globe, we are one step closer to not being out for ourselves alone, but to inviting an idea and opening the floor to conversation and support. Urie shares when he started to acknowledge a shift: "I really think the stigma about mental health was in so many ways lifted during the pandemic," as he remembers the how world being stuck inside their houses was a form of collective depression, but, unordinarily, it was discussed in more of a candid way.
Suit, Chuks Collins. Shoes, Saint Laurent.
Full look, Vungoc & Son.
Urie recalls his own experience during the pandemic, stuck in the miserable isolation, but he credits the timing of Shrinking's Season 1 release as a saving grace for the sanity of humanity. "I think because it was coming out at the end of the pandemic, and because it was a comedy, there was a real readiness for it amongst people. I think we were in such a good place to fill a void for people, or start a conversation for people," he grants the series a huge pat on the back, which often is confirmed by the fans who came up to him and say, "The show is like my own therapy".
It is exactly the unorthodox methods the therapists use in Shrinking that can showcase the importance of posing the intricate question of what it means to be human, and not everything has to go by the book. The idea to make mental health struggles approachable from the get-go of the show, Urie clarifies, "I think it was intentional. I think that there was a real desire to make a comedy about mental health. They said, "If we're going to make a comedy about mental health, and we really want to get to the dregs of it, let's start with a true tragedy," which was main character Jimmy's wife Tia's, tragic death.
When it comes to his character Brian, Michael Urie believes he fits nicely in the group of the chosen family that came together in crisis, and keep showing up for one another: "That's the joy for me, watching my character who thinks he has it all figured out constantly come up against the fact that not only is he a mental health idiot, but he has to deal with things, he's also eccentric, and a narcissist, and it's funny. But he's a great foil for these people who are so well adjusted or really working on it."
To make great television, writing and character development is key. Urie attributes both Ugly Betty and Shrinking with genius writers, who managed to script not two people that are the same. "You put two characters together, and stuff starts to sizzle, because they're so different. Especially, when the series is about growth like Shrinking is, all these characters really do need to change over the course of the seasons, and that really helps."
Not only does Shrinking aid everyone who's watching, but it brought out a perspective Michael Urie applied to his own life and wellbeing: "I actually started therapy because of this show," he reveals, "I don't think you need a trauma to go to therapy. You need to get a checkup, a physical, take vitamins, and you also need to take care of your brain and your heart, metaphorically," he suggests encouragingly.
It was the early days of filming Shrinking, and Michael Urie found himself in the midst of being a TV show regular again after a while. He didn't know anyone who was cast, "for someone who has been in the business for 20 years now, it's very rare to get a job where you don't know anyone involved. I didn't meet anyone until day one, I didn't speak to anyone on the phone," for the tone to be just right, it took a while until Urie's character Brian appeared properly, not until after weeks of shooting.
Appearing quite vulnerable, he shares the self-deprecating thought process he had at the time contemplating his place in the TV show: "What is going on? Who am I? Do I belong? I had crazy imposter syndrome. Did they make a mistake? There was a lot going on." He summarises by applauding the effect the writing left on him and the character development: "I was watching it work, so it encouraged me to get into therapy. Every episode, I'm wildly impressed by how the writers can incorporate not only the mental health stuff and the comedy but also take these eight main characters and grow them each episode."
So who is Michael Urie? He is a New Yorker. You will either see him at a Broadway show, or a quirky theatre, or admiring strange dogs on the street, an activity that brings him the most joy. As a theatre enthusiast and comedy professional, Urie shines at the epicenter of a project like Shrinking, which not only crushes ratings but also offers long, poignant glimpses of humanity in a world where there is no time to feel or acknowledge emotional pain. Whether he’s delivering razor-sharp humour or heartfelt authenticity, Michael Urie continues to charm audiences both on stage and screen. Michael has a magic about him knowing how to connect with audiences effortlessly as a talent that speaks for itself.
Photographer Carianne Older @carianneolder
Styling Michael Fusco @mikeystyles
Grooming Peter DeOliveira @ peter.de.oliveira
Photo Assist Jaida Votolato @Jvotolato
Shot on Cinestill Film @cinestillfilm
Words Karolina Kramplova
Shirt, bow tie, cummerbund, Brooks Brothers. Pants, Sandro. Shoes, Saint Laurent.
Suit, Simkhai. Shoes, Saint Laurent.
