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New Girl Shakeup: A Roommate Is Moving Out!

Exclusive! Find out how producers are making way for the return of "Coach"

By Kristin Dos Santos Oct 14, 2013 7:31 PMTags
New Girl, Max Greenfield, Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris Fox

Looks like they won't need bunk beds after all.

New Girl producers have devised a clever way to accommodate the return of Damon Wayans, who appeared in the pilot and will return next month, E! News can report exclusively.

Someone is moving out!

One of New Girl's series regulars—Jess (Zooey Deschanel), Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield) or Winston (Lamorne Morris)—will pack up and leave the apartment they all share in an upcoming episode. This departure will clear the way—and an empty room—for Coach's (Wayans) return.

So who is leaving the loft?

All we can say is that it's probably not who you think. And the twist is pretty great.

Also worth noting: The cast member will not be leaving the show. But the character will be out of the loft.

Wayans shot the New Girl pilot in 2011, when his ABC series Happy Endings was looking doomed. When H.E. received a surprise pickup, Wayans left New Girl and Lamorne Morris was cast as the new roommate, Winston. Two years later, Happy Endings was (don't make us say it out loud) cancelled, and Wayans has signed on to reprise his New Girl role for six episodes, with the possibility of more.

Also coming up: Taye Diggs is set to guest star in November as a "smooth ladies man," who might cause some drama between Nick and Jess.  There will be flirtation.  And next week's Halloween episode is not to be missed.

New Girl's next new episode airs Tuesday on Fox.

Thoughts on who's packing up? Place your bets in the comments.