The fifth season of the American television sitcom New Girl premiered on January 5, 2016, on Fox in its new timeslot of 8:00pm (Eastern). The show briefly aired back-to-back on April 19 before airing the final six episodes, beginning April 26, at 8:00 and 9:00 pm respectively.
Developed by Elizabeth Meriwether under the working title Chicks & Dicks, the series revolves around offbeat teacher Jess (Zooey Deschanel) after her moving into an LA loft with three men, Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris); Jess's best friend Cece (Hannah Simone) also appears regularly. The show combines comedy and drama elements as the characters, who are in their early thirties, deal with maturing relationships and career choices.
Production
On March 31, 2015, New Girl was renewed for a fifth season. The show remained in production after wrapping season four in order to get a jump on season 5 ahead of Deschanel's maternity leave. Deschanel was absent in 6 episodes of the fifth season. The onscreen reason for her absence was that her character was sequestered for jury duty.
John Cho was the first guest announced after New Girl was renewed for season 5. Fred Armisen, Stephen Rannazzisi and Ally Maki all signed up to guest star this season.
Megan Fox was cast in the role of Reagan and temporarily filled in for Zooey Deschanel after she pre-taped her episodes last spring before taking a maternity leave. This season did not premiere in the autumn of 2015, but instead on January 2016, with what Fox states to be "its first-ever season of virtually uninterrupted originals." Damon Wayans, Jr. made his return for a two episode arc this season.