Given the happy endings all around during the season 6 finale, the future of Fox's beloved show 'New Girl' was seriously in question. With CeCe (Hannah Simone) & Schmidt pregnant, Winston phoning his dad and Nick & Jess finally ending up together, it really seemed like an unofficial farewell. Clearly it wasn't just the case for us fans either, for just under a year ago, Deadline reported that network Fox,"leaned heavily toward not going with a seventh season".
So, what changed?, I hear you asking. Well, it was all down to Jake Johnson and creator Liz Meriwether. The latter suggested, that in a bid to get the go-ahead on a seventh season, the cast speak directly to Fox themselves. Johnson took up that opportunity and let on to TV Line what he said: "I wrote (to) them and asked for more... I said, 'I don't think you gave us enough time to finish the show the right way. And I would really appreciate - and I think the fans would appreciate - a final goodbye to these characters'". The actor's input combined with Meriwether's convincing storyline for season 7 meant that Fox eventually agreed and commissioned a final 8 episode run for the much loved show.
It's time to put on your cowboy hats and get down, #NewGirl fans. The loft-mates are coming BACK for Season 7! ? pic.twitter.com/l3AiA5PLc5
? New Girl (@NewGirlonFOX) May 14, 2017
#NewGirl has been picked up for 8 final episodes! Very excited to be able to finish what we started. Also Happy Mother's Day, ladies.
? jake johnson (@MrJakeJohnson) May 14, 2017
It's OFFICIAL NEW GIRL SEASON 7!!!!
? Lamorne Morris (@LamorneMorris) May 14, 2017
"I hear Season 7 would feature major milestones for all main characters over the period of one year, including a big one in the series finale", continued Deadline. The new episodes will feature a jump in time, although, Max Greenfield mentioned to E! that "a lot of the storylines pick up somewhat where we left them off, only three years later". In a later interview, the actor let on to how "in the future, CeCe and Schmidt have a kid", who he had previously referred to as "the apple of Schmidt's eye". Aww, Papa Schmidt, that's one side to the character we cannot wait to see! Greenfield also caught up with TV Line to whom he revealed more, "Schmidt is a stay-at-home-dad now... He really enjoys being a dad. He's also a control freak and he wants to control the environment - because the environment's gotta be right. He's sort of like, 'I think it'd just be better if I was here'. The writers have done a really good job of keeping enough of Schmidt while letting you see see that (Ruth) is his entire world."
As for the rest of the 'New Girl' gang, "in the future, Jess and Nick, still together, return from a European book tour... while CeCe is a working mom, and the now-married Winston and Aly are expecting a child", reports Ew. The main woman herself, Zooey Deschanel, spoke to TV Line and admitted that at the beginning of season 7, "Nick and Jess will be struggling with the decision to get married or not get married... Jess wants him to propose, and then she decides she's happy with the way it is. So, we'll see". We will indeed. However, if Jake Johnson's Instagram page is anything to go by, wedding bells may very well be ringing for the most shipped couple on the show.
Aside from the fact that Winston's (Lamorne Morris) estranged father is due to appear and that he'll be played by Jb Smoove (NME), 'New Girl' executive producers, Dave Finkel and Brett Baer revealed to Ew what they think is in store for the character. Baer mentioned how he'd "like to see what he's like getting promoted at work and becoming a detective - I think that would be fun... because (previously) Winston's story really surrounded the engagement and his relationship with Ally". Speaking about Nick, Finkel revealed that, the character "has grown so much and gotten to a place where he's become sorta successful. He's the one character over the course of the series that I think required the most growth and where he is now is exciting, but I don't think we've mined as much as we could possibly mine out of it".
Recurring characters from the previous six seasons will all be making appearances, and they include characters like Nadia (Rebecca Reid), Jess' parents (Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner), exes Robby, (Nelson Franklin), Sam (David Walton), and Russell (Dermot Mulroney), and Winston's police partner Dunston (Sam Richardson). Obviously, the final 'New Girl' season just wouldn't be complete without Damon Wayans Jr's Coach.
In other season 7 news, E! have learned that "there's going to be a heartbreaking death".
The Farewell
Speaking to ET about the final season, Deschanel said "I wanted to do a season knowing we were ending at the end...I'm really happy we had a final season...so that we could properly say goodbye...the writers did a good job". Max Greenfield had the perfect metaphor, "I equate it to like a rock musician who plays a rock concert and goes, 'You know what, you guys? Tonight I'm playing the hits! We're just gonna play all the songs you love'...it's a real love letter to the fans. It's all of the greatest hits from seven seasons" (EW). The actor has also gushed "It's great. If you watch the show and you're a real fan, I think the way that we wrap it up is going to be satisfying", before continuing that "those three years have really turned the entire gang into a bunch of actual adults, which provided a whole new world for the cast and writers. This time around, I felt like this season was this kind of...it's different. It feels like they're kind of grown up, so the engine of the show is more about this group of people as adults with kids and jobs and responsibilities. It's a lot more fun to watch".
For his part, Jake Johnson revealed, "I think it's cool to do a time jump. I think we we were running in circles a little bit, so I think jumping forward (is smart). Everyone is a little further along (with their lives)".
Deschanel concluded that "this has been seven years of my life, It's longer than any job I've had. It's a really long time to be with a group of people, so I'll definitely be very sad". So will we, Miss Day, so will we!
US audiences will be able to catch the final season of 'New Girl' on 10th April. The 2-part, 1 hour season finale will air on 15th May. There's still no date on a UK premiere, but you can be assured we'll be keeping our eye out.
