Without a doubt, Zooey Deschanel was the ultimate match for the role of charming and whimsical Jessica Day of New Girl. With her enchanting doe-eyed gaze and happy-go-lucky demeanor, she brought the character to life in a way that captivated millions of audiences. But the initial testosterone-filled title almost deterred the 500 Days of Summer actress from joining the show. Thus, the star once disclosed that the show’s creators had a slightly different vision for the series in mind, which revolved around a girl sharing a loft with three other guys.
The show gained a second life after its “Netflix-ification” and thus, since then the “youths” as Schmidt calls it started to love the Fox show. Thus, the resurgence brought some compelling questions to the stars, and this revelation was the result of one such intriguing interview.
Zooey Deschanel Almost Rejected New Girl
Everybody’s favorite pixie dream girl Zooey Deschanel almost did not do the show because of its offensive title. The actor who was perfect for the lead role, Jessica Day felt so violated by the title that she almost did not read the script. However, she eventually decided to give it a chance and found it hilariously engaging, unable to stop reading. In a later interview with Star Tribune in 2018, the New Girl cast gathered to reflect on their experiences working on the show during its final seasons. And thus Deschanel revealed,
“When I first got the script, I was like, ‘I’m not reading something called ‘Chicks & D–ks,’ –I felt violated just looking at the title. This does not sound like it’s going to end well. But it was so funny.”
Despite its more literal title, the show was far from embodying what it seemed to endorse. After years, the fans are thankful that the creator considered the actress’ suggestion, leading to the show being renamed. It became an instant hit among the audience during its debut, attracting a remarkable 10.28 million viewers and breaking the network’s 10-year record for premieres of scripted shows.
Zooey Deschanel’s Experience Working On the Show
The main pack of five actors formed an inseparable bond both on screen and off during the nearly seven years the show remained on the air. The show’s long run provided ample time for the cast members to develop genuine friendship and camaraderie with each other, something the actress, Zooey Deschanel holds dear and treasures deeply. In the same Star Tribune interview she revealed,
“It’s been like high school, but longer,—All my professional experiences before this one had been limited to the run of a movie. I’ve gotten to work with all of these people through so many life changes.–I feel this sense of camaraderie that I’ve never felt before and I don’t know if I’ll ever have again.”
Zooey Deschanel’s captivating charm and unique appearance in New Girl captivated audiences and earned her widespread recognition, featuring on the covers of over 20 major magazines, propelling her to the heights of fame. Although much of it has now faded due to various reasons that require its own article, the actress now frequently shares throwback posts and memes, fondly reminiscing about the show and cherishing the wonderful memories she made during that time.
Source: StarTribune
