Damon Wayans Jr. will finish out the current season of Fox’s live-action comedy, New Girl, but he will be leaving after it’s completion.
As Damon Wayans Jr. (Let’s Be Cops) explores his career options, he is receiving offers for new pilots.
A year and a half after returning to Fox’s New Girl, the actor has chosen not to return to the comedy’s fifth season. Before becoming a regular character on the show, Wayans rejoined the cast in 2013 with a recurring position. He had originally left just after the series’ pilot and joined the cast of Happy Endings. Initially, Wayans was tied up with Happy Endings, but after that show’s cancelation he was able to return to Fox’s comedy, New Girl.
Hollywood Reporter orchestrated an interview with Liz Meriwether (executive producer and director of New Girl). “We love Damon and are so lucky to have had him return for the past season and a half,” Liz Meriwether. “We are working on crafting an exit for him that will leave the door open for many more returns, especially since ‘Coach’ is our resolution to the upcoming ‘Who’s Jess’ Baby Daddy?’ storyline.” Even though Meriwether is joking about New Girl star Zooey Deschanel’s real-life pregnancy being a possible storyline, it won’t be written into the comedy.
Damon Wayans Jr. is expected to have many new opportunities, for he is already getting offers for other pilots. Even if he does commit to a new pilot, it will not tear him away from his current role in New Girl as of yet. Hollywood Reporter also interviewed the actor himself. “I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to come back to New Girl in season three to reprise the role of ‘Coach,’ ” said Wayans. “Working with this incredibly talented and funny cast and crew has been one of the best experiences of my career.” Wayans is committed to finishing the current season of the show.
New Girl is certain to return for a fifth season, even without Wayans. Fox chiefs Dana Walden and Gary Newman have already gone on record with their hopes of keeping the comedy on air. Walden and Newman run New Girl‘s studio, 20th Century Fox Television.
Damon Wayans Jr. is represented by WME and Mosaic.