LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 9, 2016 (UPI) — New Girl released a first clip of guest star Megan Foxon Monday.
The 29-year-old actress plays Reagan, a “no-nonsense” pharmaceutical sales rep who temporarily replaces Jess (Zooey Deschanel) in the loft. The preview sees Reagan settle into Jess’ room while Nick (Jake Johnson) and Winston (Lamorne Morris) happily supervise.
Fox will debut on the Fox sitcom’s Feb. 9 episode, the first of a five-episode arc. The actress was brought in to sub for Deschanel, who is on maternity leave after welcoming her daughter Elsie with husband Jacob Pechenik in July.
New Girl will explain Deschanel’s absence by having her character away on jury duty. Series creator Liz Meriweather praised Fox in an interview with Vulture, saying the show was “really lucky to have her” while Deschanel is gone.
“She’s great,” Meriweather said. “There’s something about her in this character that felt sort of new for her, and then there’s something about this character on the show that felt good for us, this confident, tough-talking woman coming in to see through the guys’ bull[expletive].”
“We knew when we found out that Zooey was going to be gone for six episodes we wanted to bring somebody in and Jake had worked with Megan on Friends with Kids and had a great experience with her,” she explained. “What’s cool is that if doesn’t feel that different [without Zooey]. It definitely feels like we’re in the same world.”
Fox’s character has a romantic history with Cece (Hannah Simone), who is presently engaged to Schmidt (Max Greenfield). Meriweather said they were careful not to “fetishize” the relationship, although Schmidt will deal with some jealousy issues.
Fox is known for starring in Transformers and last played April O’Neill in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The actress will reprise the role in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and is also slated for Zeroville with James Franco.
