As the series concluded its second season, JESS (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Zooey Deschanel) and NICK (Jake Johnson) ultimately gave into to their mutual attraction and decided to take their relationship to the next level. SCHMIDT (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Max Greenfield) desperately tried to win back CECE (Hannah Simone), after breaking off his romance with her, and his efforts were rewarded, when Cece called off her wedding. Meanwhile, WINSTON (Lamorne Morris), seemingly the most grounded of the loftmates, slowly revealed cracks in his calm, cool and collected façade.

In the upcoming third season, Jess and Nick will go “all-in” on their relationship, but they will have to overcome some major obstacles, not the least of which just might be Schmidt. Following Cece’s aborted wedding, Schmidt finds himself unable to choose between Cece and ELIZABETH (guest star Merritt Wever) and deals with it in the “Schmidt-iest” way possible. Also, Winston reconnects with COACH (guest star Damon Wayans, Jr.) bringing him back into the loft when one of the roommates moves out.

Premiering in 2011, NEW GIRL was an instant hit, as viewers were introduced to the free-spirited Jess who, after a bad break-up, moved into a downtown Los Angeles loft occupied by three single guys. Among her new roommates, Jess had an immediate connection with Nick, a law school dropout-turned-bartender who knows he’s not living up to his potential – yet. Winston, a former pro basketball player (in Europe), who returned to the loft not knowing what to do with his life, has done his best to adjust to working the night shift at a sports-radio station. Rounding out the loft, but living in his own universe, is Schmidt, whose over-confidence and well-defined physique mask severe insecurities, which manifest themselves in a number of OCD-like mannerisms, false bravado and contributions to the loft’s douchebag jar. Providing an outsider’s perspective on the loft’s dynamics is Jess’ childhood best friend, Cece, a model with a killer deadpan, whose on-again-off-again relationship with Schmidt keeps surprising everyone, most of all, herself.

Last season, NEW GIRL was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, including Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical (Deschanel) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Greenfield). The series was nominated in its freshman year for five Emmy Awards, including Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Deschanel and Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Greenfield. The series was nominated for a Television Critics Association Award in the category of Outstanding New Program as well as a Critics’ Choice Television Award in the category of Best Comedy Series. Deschanel won the Television Critics Association Award for Best Actress, Comedy (tied with Amy Poehler). In its first season, NEW GIRL received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical and a Writers Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Television