Leather Trench Dress by Yigal Azouël
Emerald Cut Diamond Twin Studs in 18kt White Gold by Martin Katz

“I almost died when I saw it,” American actress Christa Miller says of the bee-covered Libertine look she wore for her PhotoBook shoot. Miller is known for her roles as Jordan Sullivan on Scrubs, Ellie Torres on Cougar Town, and Liz on Shrinking.

She explains that her mom—“Bonnie Bee” Trompeter—began as a supermodel in the 60s before the term was officially coined. A nickname that has stuck with the family, Miller’s mother calls her “Christa Bee.” She shares that because of this nickname, her stationary even has a little bee on it.

“When I walked in for the shoot, Alison had pulled all these amazing pieces,” recalls Miller. “I just looked at it and said, ‘oh my god, there are bees—it’s Christa Bee.’ I felt instantly attached to it.” She says moments like these make the whole experience feel a little magical—like a full-circle kind of moment.

Christa, did you always imagine a career in acting, or did that dream evolve as you went along?

I think I always did. I always had a vivid imagination. I grew up in New York and my mom had me at a young age. She was a supermodel before they really coined the term, so there was always great music playing in our house and cool people around.

I remember constantly listening to music and imagining myself in a movie. I went to an all-girls school in New York, and aside from my mom knowing interesting people, our home life was actually pretty conservative.

But I always dreamed about that world. I didn’t really know how I was going to get there—I just had a feeling I would make it happen. I’m pretty hardworking like that.

When you first read about Liz in Shrinking, did you see yourself in her right away—or did you have to grow into her?

I had to figure out how to make Liz work. As an actor, you always pull facets of yourself, but with Liz it was more about pulling latent aspects of who I am. It felt like solving a puzzle because I really wanted to make her likable, and it could have gone either way. I tend to prep a lot, and then once I’m on set I try to let it all go and see where it takes me.

In the second episode of the first season there was this moment that suddenly activated something in me. It made me feel incredibly vulnerable—even talking about it now brings up a lot of emotion…it was this lucky break where I realized I should lean into the vulnerable side of her. She can be annoying or messy or all these things, but you understand that she wears her heart on her sleeve. She wants to be liked and to have friends, even though she doesn’t really have any.

In my own life, I parented pretty differently than Liz. I wasn’t a helicopter parent—I wanted my kids to have life skills, to be independent, to have chores. But I did have a lot of friends who were like Liz: moms who weren’t working and were deeply involved in the PTA and school life. They weren’t annoying at all—they saved my life. They would remind me of things and cover for me because when you’re shooting, your schedule is unpredictable…I know what they felt when their kids went away from college, and how hard it is to try to find a passion, or a new thing, and a lot of my friends have started businesses—my friend started a business for menopausal women…I’ve always believed your life should get bigger as you get older, not smaller. But it’s not easy. And that’s something you see with Liz too. She’s trying to figure out what her next chapter looks like. It doesn’t always work, but the striving is what matters.

RH Tiller Oversize Double-Breasted Men’s Blazer with Fabric Cover by Romeo Hunte
Denim Covered Buttons by Romeo Hunte
RH Stone Wash Hot Shorts by Romeo Hunte
Tights by Wolford
Slingback heels by Brunello Cucinelli
Christa’s Own Brilliant Oval Diamond Ring with Microset Diamonds by Martin Katz
Diamond Stick Drop Earrings in 18kt White Gold by Martin Katz

With storylines that touch on trauma, adultery, and moral gray areas, how do you find Liz’s emotional truth without losing the comedic edge?

The show is written in such a smart way. The scripts we get are incredible—the writing on our show is incredible. Because it’s a comedy, things can change quickly, so you have to be prepared and ready to adjust. When you’re really prepared, you can move from one thing to the next.

I’ll share a little behind-the-scenes thing on our show: on most jobs I’ve worked on, rehearsals usually involve everyone holding their scripts, reading through the scene, then they light the set and you come back and shoot it. On our show, there are no scripts on set. Everyone comes to rehearsal already knowing their lines. That’s part of why our cast can shift from comedy to drama so quickly. You’re not worrying about remembering a line—you’re free to explore different performances and stay open in the moment. I also feel like the second I drive onto set, my heart just opens up. And being surrounded by such funny people definitely helps.

Shrinking returned this past January 28 for Season 3 on Apple TV+. How has Liz evolved this season, and what new layers were you most excited to explore?

I think Liz is tentatively realizing that she has this community around her and that she doesn’t have to be so defensive. She’s starting to trust that this group actually likes her, and that she can let herself believe that.

With Derek’s health scare, I think she’s been looking for purpose and meaning—but the person who’s really her best friend has been right in front of her the whole time. In my head, Liz and Derek have a very sexy marriage—he makes her laugh, and Derek is just the best. That moment makes her realize she could lose him, and it starts to bring things into focus. This season, I see her becoming a little more confident and more open to accepting love. She’s still figuring things out, but it feels like something is starting to click for her.

Outfit by Wiederhoeft
Turtleneck in Chantilly Lace by Adam Lippes
Emerald Cut Diamond Twin Studs in 18kt White Gold by Martin Katz

What do you think Shrinking gets right about midlife womanhood?

I think what the show really gets right is showing that Liz’s style is cool in a way that works for all ages. It doesn’t really matter how old you are—I have my daughter’s friends who like my style, and my mom likes my style too. Liz’s look has that same feeling. It shows that you can still be cool whether your kids have moved away, you don’t have kids, or you’re just at a different point in your life.

You can still start a new chapter. I’ve had a new chapter myself, and this show has really inspired me—not just in my work, but in my life. I’ve made very good friends through it, and it’s honestly a magical place to work.

I think that’s something the show speaks to for women in general: there’s always a new chapter. That’s actually why I don’t really believe in New Year’s Eve. We shouldn’t wait for one moment to start over—we should be creating new chapters and new things every day.

You’ve had iconic runs on The Drew Carey Show, Scrubs, and Cougar Town. What makes Shrinking feel different in this stage of your career?

It’s funny you ask, because I actually just did the season finale of Scrubs. I flew up to Vancouver for it, and I was so excited to put the Jordan suit on. She’s everything I can’t really do with Liz—she’s arch, broad, mean, and incredibly confident. She makes me laugh, and it’s just really fun to step into that energy. When I got there, we did the rehearsal, and Zach Braff—who’s kind of running everything and directing—said to me, “Christa, remember, Shrinking is about 35 minutes with no commercials, but we’re 21 minutes. If you don’t say it fast, it’s not in.” And I was like, “Oh—okay.” I was very glad I knew my lines, because the pace is so quick.

That’s part of what makes it fun. On Shrinking, we have time to breathe and really sit in a moment. There’s space for the drama, and the comedy tends to come from the characters themselves rather than just punchlines. Of course there are great jokes—it’s incredibly well written—but the humor often grows out of who the characters are. With Scrubs, you really have to land those jokes quickly. The rhythm is different, and that’s part of the fun of jumping between the two.

Olive Green Croc Embossed Faux Leather Scarlet Trench and Mini Skirt by GEORGINE
Cross Bamboo Bodysuit by Sans Faff
Tights by Wolford
Boots by Scarosso
Diamond Microhoop Earrings in 18kt Rose Gold by Martin Katz

You’ve had incredible recent press, from Vanity Fair to Forbes to The Wrap’s Women in Comedy panel. Do these moments of recognition feel different from past chapters of your career?

I’ve had such a lovely response to Shrinking…I’ll be walking around New York and people will just give me a little heart with their hands…people also talk to me a lot about grief and their own experiences with it. Sometimes they share that a family member is dealing with Parkinson’s and how much it means to them to see it handled on the show. So there are a lot of genuine fans who feel personally connected to it, and that makes me really happy.

I’m also the music supervisor, so I see the episodes pretty early because I’m placing the needle drops. That means I end up watching versions that aren’t color-corrected yet, where the cuts aren’t final, and I’m seeing myself in a way that’s definitely not the polished version. My husband Bill Lawrence ultimately edits the show with the editors, so I’m usually watching earlier cuts mostly to work out the music. I used to never watch myself, but I’ve gotten a bit used to it because I have to for that part of the job.

Still, I try to wait until the finished episode comes out to really watch it—usually with my daughter or a friend—once everything is done. By then I’ve often forgotten the scenes I was in, and I get to see the ones I’m not part of for the first time. And honestly, I love the show. When people tell me they love it, I’m like, “Me too.”

**Left:**
‘Buzz Off’ Classic Jacket by Libertine
‘Buzz Off’ Sailor Short by Libertine
‘Buzz Off’ Saint Tropez Top by Libertine
Women’s Felicia Bow Pumps by Cole Haan
Tights by Wolford
Belt by Stylist Own
Christa’s own Emerald Cut Yellow Sapphire Ring with Microset Yellow Sapphires by Martin Katz
Diamond Microhoop Earrings in 18kt Rose Gold by Martin Katz
Rivera Necklace of Various Gemstones in 18kt Rose Gold by Martin Katz
Women’s Felicia Bow Pumps by Cole Haan
**Right:**
Sweater by Brunello Cucinelli
Christa’s own Sapphire Diamond Ring by Martin Katz
Christa’s own Diamond Microhoop Earrings in Platinum by Martin Katz

Looking back at your Emmy-nominated work as Music Supervisor on Ted Lasso, how has your approach to music evolved now on Shrinking?

With Shrinking, I actually went back and forth with Apple a lot about the music. From my experience on Scrubs, I know how important it is for artists to get that kind of break—especially now, when TV can function almost like the new radio. Over the years I’ve developed a lot of relationships with musicians, and I really believe in using the platform to support them…so whenever I can, I try to feature newer artists or musicians I really believe in. Of course the song still has to be right for the scene—you just know when it fits—but I love being able to spotlight music from artists I admire, many of whom I’ve become friends with over time.

I also feel very attached to the show. I’ve actually been banking music for about a month now, so I’m already living in the Shrinking world again—thinking about Liz and all the other characters, and what songs might fit different moments in the story. Once we start shooting, I’m working with music throughout the process, thinking about it week by week for each episode. Then I’m involved again in editing, placing songs and shaping how they land in the scenes. So I end up living in that world for most of the year. I’m already banking music now, and we start shooting again in May for the fourth season.

**Left:**
RH Tiller Oversize Double-Breasted Men’s Blazer with Fabric Cover by Romeo Hunte
Denim Covered Buttons by Romeo Hunte
RH Stone Wash Hot Shorts by Romeo Hunte
Tights by Wolford
Slingback heels by Brunello Cucinelli
Christa’s Own Brilliant Oval Diamond Ring with Microset Diamonds by Martin Katz
Diamond Stick Drop Earrings in 18kt White Gold by Martin Katz
**Right:**
Outfit by Wiederhoeft
Turtleneck in Chantilly Lace by Adam Lippes
Emerald Cut Diamond Twin Studs in 18kt White Gold by Martin Katz

Working closely with a creative team across acting and music supervision, how do you balance collaboration with your own instincts?

You know, the best way to work—at least the way my husband works—is to keep everything really collaborative. For example, I’ll send the editors my music banks and playlists ahead of time, so they have them before we even start. When they’re putting together the early cuts, they can pull any song from those playlists and try things out.

Sometimes they place songs in spots I never would have thought of. Our editors are so good that they’ll choose something and I’ll think, “I would never have put that there,” and it works beautifully. In those moments they actually make my job much easier. It really becomes a team effort. Sometimes I’ll think, “Oh, Bill’s probably not going to like that choice”, because I had imagined a different song for the scene.

But ultimately we’re all working together equally, and that kind of collaboration makes everyone invested in the show. That’s something my husband is really great about—he has no ego when it comes to the creative process. If someone pitches something funnier or better, he’ll just say, “That’s funnier,” and go with it. When everyone feels like their ideas are welcome, it makes the whole process stronger.

After so many iconic roles and now a fan-favorite in Shrinking, what new challenges are you most eager to tackle?

When you have kids, it really changes your perspective on what’s important. Before that, I had so much ambition and was incredibly focused on work. When I had my kids, that ambition softened a bit, and looking back now, I sometimes think I limited myself more than I needed to.

For a long time I worked closely with my husband, especially when our kids were younger and we had three of them to juggle. Part of it was practical—we could manage our schedules together so one of us could be at preschool or a game, and I could be present for all their sports and activities. But it was also about quality. The environment he creates on set is incredible. He has what he calls a “No asshole policy,” and he really means it—everyone is kind and supportive, and if they’re not, they’re not there.

So I’ve been lucky to work on great shows with wonderful people, but now I also feel ready to branch out a bit more. I’ve started meeting new collaborators and exploring different opportunities. I even just met someone here in London about a potential project. It’s exciting to think about trying new things at this stage.

CREW CREDITS

Talent: Christa Miller
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair by David Cruz at Art Department
Makeup by Mary Wiles at Walter Schupfer Management
Assistant: Dani Sax
Assistant to Creative Director: Mia Aponte
Fashion Stylist Interns: Cooper Certain and Emma Morales
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Brya Sheridan, Assistant to Editor-in-Chief
Studio: Love Studios

Christa Miller Is Liz on Apple TV's 'Shrinking'—and the Sound Behind the Series