Zooey Deschanel interview

Zooey Deschanel talks about her TV debut in US smash New Girl

Best known for her role in 500 Days of Summer, indie-favourite Zooey Deschanel has crash-landed on Channel 4 with New Girl, a heart-warming comedy-series centred on the daily trials and tribulations of Jess Daly. Newly single after walking in on her boyfriend with another woman, Jess is in desperate need of a place to live. Answering a flat share ad, she crash lands in the lives of three single guys she has never met before.

Zooey talks about the role and the reasons why you should tune in:

Jess is a very strong and unique character. Did the writers base her character on your personality?

It wasn't written for me initially, but it was sort of a perfect fit. You go to a store and there's a dress that just looks like it was made for you, but it wasn't. That's sort of like what it was like. Then, now that I'm on the show, it is written for me. It's wonderful to have all these great writers writing stuff for me.

Was comedy a natural thing for you, or did you kind of fall into it?

I always liked doing comedy and always think of myself as comedic actress. I guess later I found that I could do drama as well, but I really started out thinking that I was more of a comedic actress. So, I'm super happy and excited that I get to do funny stuff every week on the show.

What is your favourite aspect of Jess?

I really love that she's totally herself, even though she's awkward and kind of nerdy at times. She's not afraid of being herself, whether it comes out as being a little bit naive or something else, or just a really strong sense of self. She's totally herself. I think that's really nice to see, because a lot of times female characters are just reacting to the men. Especially in comedies, I think a lot of time the female characters are there to provide a balance for guys. And, I really don't feel that's true with this character. I really feel like she's equal to all the guys. I really, really love that. She's a real true modern woman.

New Girl is a lot about Jess's dating life. What are the biggest mistakes that men make?

I think being disingenuous. From my perspective probably women are won over by people who are sweet and respectful and courteous and kind and funny. I think those are the things that win women over. I think that the mistakes that anyone can make going on dates is probably not being themselves because you can only trick people for so long.

Jess has been described by many as adorkable. Is Zooey?

There's a lot of Jess that is very much like me. I feel like I understand her very well. I feel like she is very much like I was when I was 13. I was not the coolest kid in my class. I feel like that inner dork is a wonderful thing to have. And, on behalf of school kids all around, I like to represent. So, yes I definitely have a part of myself like Jess. So, I'll leave it at that. But, I don't know if I'd describe myself as particularly adorkable.

What do you think it is about New Girl that will most draw people in and keep them coming back to watch?

To be honest, this is a new world for me. So, I'm like that little kid. I have to say there's something about this show – and I'm not saying it has anything to do with me, because I obviously wouldn't want to say that, but this show I feel so lucky I jumped aboard this train, because the writing is so great and it just feels really special to me to be working on it. I can't explain it. I just have a really special feeling about this. I think it's really the writing. It plays more like a romantic comedy than a sitcom, per se, even though it has some of the physical comedy that some of the classic sitcoms have. We're telling stories that are not purely comedic. I really believe that you end up caring about these characters.

New Girl is showing on Channel 4 and E4.

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