‘New Girl’ Casts J.B. Smoove As Winston’s Dad In Final Season

“New Girl” Season 7 will finally introduce Winston’s (Lamorne Morris) dad in its final eight episodes.

According to TV Line, J.B. Smoove will be giving life to Winston’s dad, who abandoned him when he was still very young. Winston grew up with Nick’s (Jake Johnson) dad, who also raised him as though he was his own.

As of late, it is still unclear when the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star will be introduced in the hit Fox TV show. But Winston’s mom previously appeared in two episodes of “New Girl.” The character was played by actress Anna Maria Horsford.

Smoove’s “New Girl” episode will also be directed by Morris. Last month, TV Line writer Michael Ausiello said that Smoove may be introduced in episode 5. He also said that the installment will serve as Morris’ directorial debut.

Meanwhile, “New Girl” was supposed to end after only six seasons, but Fox decided to give the Zooey Deschanel-starrer eight additional episodes in Season 7 due to Johnson’s request.

“I was one of the cast members that wrote them and asked for more. I said, ‘I don’t think you gave us enough time to finish the show right away. And I would really appreciate – and I think the fans would appreciate – a final goodbye to these characters,” he told TV Line in November.

Johnson concluded his plea by telling the network executives that it’s very rare for a show to have such a loyal fan base. As such, it’s important to give back to the fans.

“I’ve done a lot of projects – and some of the projects have and some don’t. And to be on a television show that actually has a group of people who care is special,” he said.

Fox co-chairman Dana Walden and Gary Newman eventually signed Johnson’s plea and gave the show eight more episodes. They also agreed with series creator Liz Meriwether’s plan to feature a four-year time-jump.

As of late, the official premiere date for “New Girl” Season 7 hasn’t been confirmed, but there are predictions that episode 1 will be released sometime in March or April.