From the very beginning, Zooey Deschanel believed there was no better choice than Lamorne Morris to play Winston in New Girl. This was her and the rest of the cast's vision, and they rallied behind to help make it happen. In many ways, their support mirrored the love and appreciation shown in the sitcom itself. Similarly, New Girl is about a group of unlikely roommates who become a family by lifting one another through life's toughest moments.

Something similar seemingly happened behind the scenes, too, as Deschanel revealed that she and her co-stars knew Morris belonged in the New Girl family from the moment they saw his audition.

Zooey Deschanel revealed that when Winston, Nick's childhood friend and a former basketball player, was written, she knew Lamorne Morris was the right choice to play the role. After auditioning several actors for the role, she suggested Morris. Once her co-stars also expressed their support, they banded together to reach out to people to make that happen.

Deschanel said she wrote to the heads of the studio and the network to suggest Morris for the role. She added that her co-stars, who had also seen his audition, wrote to different executives. Their efforts ultimately paid off, as Winston went on to become one of the show's most beloved and important characters.

"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. I was like, I can’t see anyone else playing this part," she said on the Zach Sang Show.

Interestingly, Morris had originally auditioned for the role of Coach in New Girl, as Deschanel revealed on the Zach Sang Show, but the part ultimately went to Damon Wayans Jr. However, fate had different plans for the actor. Morris later won an Emmy Award for his supporting performance as Deputy Witt Farr in Fargo in 2024, after getting a deserved breakthrough as Winston. 

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And the actor's memorable performance is still easy to revisit, with the series New Girl available on streaming.

New Girl is available to stream on Hulu and Peacock. The sitcom ran for seven seasons and 146 episodes, all of which are available on both platforms. It can also be streamed through the Hulu and Disney+ bundle. The series was previously available on Netflix but left the platform in 2023 after a 10-year licensing deal ended.

Its decade-long run on Netflix was no surprise, considering the show's popularity and fan base. The show followed Jessica Day, a school teacher played by Zooey Deschanel. She ends up moving into a Los Angeles apartment with three single men after a painful breakup. The show maintains the balance with the right storylines, humor, and the cast, including Lamorne Morris, who was responsible for making the sitcom a fan favorite years after its original run. 

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What do you think about the cast's support for Lamorne Morris' role in New Girl? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.