Michael J. Fox to return to acting in Apple TV series years after retirement

Michael J. Fox is set to return to the screen (Picture: Noam Galai/Getty Images for The Michael J. Fox Foundation)

Michael J. Fox retired from acting in 2020 due to his Parkinson’s disease, but it has now been announced that he is set to return to the screen.

The actor, 63, retired from acting in 2020 after revealing that his Parkinson’s disease – which he has been living with since 1991 – had made speaking difficult.

The actor was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 when he was just 30, and revealed his diagnosis publicly seven years later in 1998.

Although he hasn’t appeared on screen in five years, it has just been announced that the actor is set to make an exciting return to the screen.

The star has joined the cast of Apple TV’s Shriking, the incredible series starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford.

It has been announced that he will appear in the third season of the series as a guest star, with no further information given about his appearance.

The actor retired in 2020 (Picture: Baden Roth/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutt)

The series focuses on Jason Segel’s character Jimmy, a therapist who breaks down after a family tragedy and begins going rogue with his patients.

The comedy-drama dynamics focus on his relationship with his daughter, colleagues and neighbours, with a stacked supporting cast.

Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley all appear in the series which has an average 94% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes (the first season was given a 91% approval rating while season two received a 97% ranking).

Shrinking is considered an incredible hidden gem (Picture: Apple TV+/Beth Dubber. All Rights Reserved)

In 2020, Michael detailed why he was stepping back from acting in his memoir No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality.

‘Not being able to speak reliably is a game-breaker for an actor,’ he wrote, adding that he was also coping with memory loss.

‘There is a time for everything, and my time of putting in a 12-hour workday, and memorising seven pages of dialogue, is best behind me…I enter a second retirement. That could change, because everything changes. But if this is the end of my acting career, so be it.’

Michael struggled to speak in 2020 (Picture: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Although he hasn’t appeared on screen, the actor did appear on stage last year in an incredible surprise performance that wowed fans.

The actor appeared on stage with Coldplay at Glastonbury festival in a tear-jerking musical performance.

Frontman Chris introduced the actor to the stage by singing: ‘Here’s another legendary Michael, one who just totally rocks with his Chuck Berry riff and the way he punched Biff- ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Michael J Fox.’

Michael joined the band for Fix You and Humankind and played the guitar from his wheelchair. His stint with the guitar was a nod to his beloved character Marty McFly from the Back to the Future films.

Speaking about the performance, Fox shared a set of backstage photos along with a heartwarming message: ‘Glastonbury all the love and thanks to the @coldplay team who took such great care of us. And many thanks to Chris, Will, Johnny, Guy and Phil. Oh yeah in case you were wondering…it was f*****g mind blowing. 

‘There is a time for every band and a band for every time. This is @coldplay’s time. More pics to come.’ 

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