It is hard to picture the hit sitcom New Girl without Lamorne Morris playing the lovable and weird Winston Bishop. But according to Zooey Deschanel, Morris almost did not get the part. The cast had to push hard to make it happen.
Deschanel recently appeared on the Zach Sang Show and shared the story behind Morris’s casting. She said that getting Morris on the show took a lot of work. The studio executives were not sure about him at first. So Deschanel, along with co-stars Jake Johnson and Max Greenfield, had to fight for him.
Morris First Auditioned for a Different Role
Morris did not originally try out for Winston. He first auditioned for the role of Coach. That part eventually went to Damon Wayans Jr., who was already known for his work on Happy Endings.
But Wayans Jr. could only stay for the pilot episode. His other show Happy Endings got renewed, so he had to leave New Girl. After the pilot, Coach was written out of the show. This created a opening for a new character: Winston Bishop, Nick’s childhood best friend.
Morris had actually taken a job on another pilot that did not work out. That is why he did not move forward in the Coach auditions. But when Winston’s character was created, Deschanel knew exactly who she wanted.
Deschanel Called Morris ‘So Talented’
Deschanel remembered reading scenes with many actors for the Winston role. But Morris stood out from everyone else.
“I was just like, ‘What about Lamorne? That guy’s so good. He’s so talented,’” Deschanel said on the podcast.
She was not the only one who felt that way. Johnson and Greenfield also loved Morris. They had all been through the audition process together earlier and knew how good he was.
But the studio executives were not convinced. Deschanel said that many people were unsure about Morris.
“He was the one that everybody was like, oh, I don’t know,” she continued.
The Cast Wrote Letters to Studio Heads
Instead of waiting for the studio to change its mind, the cast took action. Deschanel wrote letters to the heads of the studio and the network. Johnson wrote to different people too. Everyone in the cast reached out to someone in charge.
“So we were all like, ‘Just putting my two cents in, you know… we think Lamorne is the best, best, best for this character, and [would be] such a great addition,’” Deschanel recalled.
She said she could not see anyone else playing Winston. The cast believed Morris was the perfect fit for the role. Their letters and support eventually worked. Morris got the part.
Morris Joined in Season One and Stayed for the Whole Run
Morris joined New Girl in the second episode of season one. He remained a main cast member for the rest of the show’s run. The series aired on Fox from 2011 to 2018.
Winston started as a former professional basketball player who played in Latvia. Over time, he became known for his strange pranks, his love for his cat Ferguson, and his unique personality. Fans grew to love Winston as one of the show’s best characters.
Morris Won an Emmy After ‘New Girl’ Ended
Since New Girl ended, Morris has continued to build an impressive career. In 2024, he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. He won for his role as Deputy Witt Farr on the FX series Fargo.
Deschanel mentioned his Emmy win during the podcast interview. She said proudly, “Now I’m like, guys, he has an Emmy, and he’s killing it”.
Morris has also taken on other notable projects. These include Fargo, Desperados, How It Ends, 10 Days, and Woke. His most recent role is in Prime Video’s Spider-Noir as Robbie Robertson.
The Casting of Other ‘New Girl’ Characters
Deschanel also talked about how the rest of the cast came together. She said Max Greenfield and Jake Johnson were cast very quickly. The role of Coach was harder to fill. They eventually cast Damon Wayans Jr. because people already knew him from Happy Endings.
She also shared a story about Hannah Simone’s audition for Cece. Deschanel said Simone was the only one who played Cece with a deadpan style. Other actors tried to make the character seem ditzy. Simone’s different approach stood out and helped her land the role.
Fans React to the Casting Story
Fans of New Girl have been sharing their thoughts on social media. Many are surprised to learn that Morris almost did not get the part. Viewers say they cannot imagine the show without Winston.
Some fans pointed out that Winston became one of the funniest characters on the series. His strange behavior and hilarious one-liners made him a fan favorite. Others thanked Deschanel and the cast for fighting to keep Morris in the show.
The story has also brought new attention to Morris’s career. Many viewers are now checking out his recent work, including his Emmy-winning performance in Fargo.
Morris’s journey from nearly losing the role to winning an Emmy shows how much he has grown as an actor. His time on New Girl helped launch his career. And now, he is recognized as one of the best supporting actors in television.
The New Girl cast remains close even years after the show ended. They have reunited for various events and interviews. The bond they formed during the show is still strong. And the fight to get Morris cast is just one example of how much they supported each other.
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