Zooey Deschanel burst onto the Hollywood scene in the early 2000s, delivering memorable performances in films like Elf, Yes Man, and 500 Days of Summer. However, it was her role as the endearing and quirky Jess Day in the hit series New Girl that truly catapulted her to stardom. After seven successful seasons, Deschanel is now primarily recognized for her portrayal of this beloved character.
Deschanel's outstanding work on New Girl earned her widespread acclaim, including an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series during the show's first season. As the series progressed, she continued to garner nominations for various awards, including the esteemed Golden Globe Awards. In 2012, she even triumphed at the Critics' Choice Awards, solidifying her talent and dedication. Additionally, Deschanel showcased her versatility by taking on a producing role for the beloved comedy. Although she pursued different goals after the series concluded, New Girl undeniably played a significant role in propelling her career forward.
What Zooey Deschanel Has Done Since New Girl
After concluding their run on New Girl, the cast took their final bows, and Zooey Deschanel decided to take a break from acting. She reduced her appearances in shows and movies, choosing to focus on voice acting instead. One of her notable projects was reprising her role from the film Trolls in various sequels. She returned as Bridget in Trolls Holiday in 2017 and later in Trolls World Tour in 2020. Additionally, she lent her voice to the children's TV series StoryBots: Answer Time.
Building on her producing experience from New Girl, Deschanel took on the role of both star and executive producer for the Max original series What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel. The series, which debuted its first six episodes in May 2023, allowed her to explore her passion for food. In the show, Deschanel candidly discusses cooking and dispels common food myths. As of now, there is no information regarding a potential second season for What Am I Eating? With Zooey Deschanel. Nonetheless, Deschanel is making a comeback to scripted film and television projects.
Zooey Deschanel's Upcoming Movie & TV Projects
Deschanel recently secured roles in two upcoming projects. First, she will be featured in season 3 of Physical, set to premiere on Apple TV+ in August. However, the extent of her involvement in the show remains uncertain. Additionally, Deschanel will star alongside Casey Affleck in the film Dreamin' Wild, scheduled for release on August 4. This marks her first live-action movie in nearly ten years. While continuing to display her talent in voice-acting, she will reprise her role as Bridget in the upcoming Trolls Band Together, slated to debut in November.
As for Deschanel's future plans beyond 2023, they are currently unclear. She is set to appear in the film adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon, expected to premiere sometime in 2024. However, no further projects have been disclosed. Deschanel has expressed her interest in a potential New Girl revival, but it seems unlikely to happen anytime soon. Fortunately, Deschanel continues to be presented with a growing number of projects that display her versatility as an actress.