Unknown Facts About “New Girl”

I’ll admit it—I didn’t jump aboard the New Girl train when it first hit screens back in 2011. But once I finally gave it a shot, it quickly became one of my favourite comfort shows. With its razor-sharp humour, loveable weirdos, and endlessly quotable lines, New Girl is more than just another sitcom—it’s a full-on vibe.

“Hey girl, what are you doing?” – Welcome to the loft

The heart of New Girl is the wildly charming loft crew: Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston, and (sometimes) Coach. Each character brings unique, warm, and wonderful aspects to the show, and their chemistry is truly captivating.

Why did New Girl become such a hit?

• The pilot drew 10.28 million viewers in the U.S.
• It scored a 4.8 rating in the coveted 18–49 demo.
• It became FOX’s highest-rated fall debut since 2001.
• Critics called it one of the “most exciting new series” of 2011.

Let’s be honest, once you hear the New Girl theme song, it becomes ingrained in your mind.

New Girl trivia that even super-fans might not know

Amanda Bynes nearly played Jess

Yep, you read that right. Zooey Deschanel almost lost the role of Jess to Amanda Bynes. Imagine a world where “adorkable” wasn’t even a word…

Max Greenfield (Schmidt) is married to a FOX casting exec

Max married Tess Sanchez in 2008—long before New Girl hit our screens. And yes, they have a daughter named Lilly. “She’s the best,” Max once told ABC News. “She keeps a lot of it grounded.”

Zooey Deschanel’s real-life maternity leave inspired an episode

In Season 5, Episode 4 (No Girl), Jess is conveniently sequestered on jury duty. What is the real reason for her seclusion? Zooey had just given birth to her daughter, Elsie Otter. As a cheeky nod, a newsreader even mentions the birth of a baby otter during the episode.

The cast is full of surprises

Hannah Simone (Cece) worked for the U.N.

Before acting, Hannah studied International Relations and Political Science and even worked for the United Nations in London. Cece would definitely approve.

Damon Wayans Jr (Coach) comes from comedy royalty

Damon is part of the legendary Wayans family, known for hits like White Chicks, Scary Movie, and In Living Colour. Talk about good genes.

Max Greenfield is terrified of birds

During the pilot episode, there was a live vulture on set—and Max was petrified. Schmidt would never admit it, but Max did. He’s totally fine, being honest.

More facts that make New Girl even better

• FOX once told Jake Johnson (Nick) to lose 15 pounds before filming. “I got told I was too fat for FOX,” he revealed.
• Jake also doesn’t believe in dinosaurs – yet ironically starred in Jurassic World.
• Nick’s silent best friend Tran was Jake’s own idea, pitched to creator Elizabeth Meriwether via a late-night text.
• Megan Fox temporarily replaced Zooey Deschanel during Season 5 and played Reagan, a cool, sharp-tongued pharma rep.
• Elizabeth Meriwether, the show’s creator, had never worked on a TV show before creating New Girl.
• The loft exterior is a real building on the corner of Avery Street and Traction Avenue in Los Angeles.

So, what makes New Girl timeless?

Its blend of absurd comedy, heartfelt moments, and deeply flawed characters makes it endlessly rewatchable. Whether it’s Schmidt’s insane vocabulary, Winston’s pranks gone wrong, or Nick’s passionate rants about nothing, there’s something irresistibly comforting about the chaos.

If you haven’t joined the loft gang yet, now’s the time. And if you have—go rewatch your favourite episode. You know you want to.

What’s your favourite New Girl quote or moment?

Drop it in the comments. Bonus points if it includes a classic Nick meltdown or one of Schmidt’s infamous “youths!”