Michael Urie's Acclaimed Monologue Earns Emmy Nod for 'Shrinking' Season 2

A year ago, the AppleTV+ dramedy "Shrinking" showcased a powerful monologue delivered by actor Michael Urie's character, Brian, that has since become a breakout moment of the show's second season.

Urie's character, Brian, stepped up as the bridge between the friend group and Brett Goldstein's character, Louis, the man responsible for the accident that killed Jimmy's wife. Brian's empathetic mission to help Jimmy and his daughter, Alice, become open to forgiving Louis has become the catalyst for a crucial healing journey for both characters. Neither Jimmy nor Alice would have approached forgiveness if it wasn't for Brian and his season-defining monologue.

The monologue, which Urie had to perfect through multiple takes, not only recaps his developing friendship with Louis but also dovetails with Brian's own journey to becoming a father and a more compassionate person. Urie's delivery, which captures Brian's natural rambling tendency and reveals his underlying guilt, has clearly impressed Emmy voters, who awarded the actor his first-ever nomination in July.

As Urie prepares for the Emmys, he promises that his acceptance speech won't be as lengthy as Brian's memorable monologue. Nonetheless, the recognition of his standout performance is a testament to the power of empathy and forgiveness, themes that "Shrinking" has explored with nuance and heart.