Cancellation rumors were plaguing "New Girl" after its sixth season concluded this April. Thankfully, it was saved from ending without proper closure when Fox announced it is renewing the show for the final time. It turns out that the cast contributed to the network's decision to not cancel its veteran sitcom just yet.
According to reports, series creator Liz Meriwether suggested the cast reach out to Fox co-chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden to ask for a last batch of episodes. Jake Johnson, who plays the wise-cracking Nick Miller on the show, revealed he was one of the cast members who were ready and willing to go and fight for the series.
Recalling his plea, he told the executives that he wanted to give viewers a proper farewell to the characters, attributing its success to its loyal and passionate fan base. "I said...' I would really appreciate -- and I think the fans would appreciate -- a final goodbye to these characters.'" He told the publication, "I've done a lot of projects — and some of the projects have fans and some don't. And to be on a television show that actually has a group of people who care [is special]."
Fox ordered the renewal roughly a month after the "New Girl" season 6 finale aired, although it will be quite different than all that came before. Unlike the previous seasons that had at least 22 episodes, the series finale will only have 8. It will feature a big, bold twist, picking up four years after the events of the season 6 finale. That means Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece (Hannah Simone) who were pregnant the last time will officially be parents, and Nick and Jess (Zooey Deschanel) will have been in a relationship for quite some time after previously getting back together.
"I think it's cool to do a time jump," Johnson said. "I think we we were running in circles a little bit, so I think jumping forward [is smart]. Everyone is a little further along [with their lives]."
Prior to the show's renewal, Johnson actually thought the sixth season would be the show's last. In a pretty blunt prognosis, he told The Daily Beast, "I think after this season it's done." The time jump could be to address his comment about the show "running in circles." Needless to say, fans can expect it will explore new territories and pit characters to some fresh challenges when the show returns.
Fox has yet to give "New Girl" season 7 an exact premiere date, but it is expected to return to the network sometime in spring.
