Meet the Real-Life Loves of the “New Girl ”Cast (Including the Significant Other Who Drew Art for the Loft!)

New Girl featured some of the most unforgettable on-screen relationships of the 2010s — but the cast’s off-screen relationships are just as adorable.

The show — which ran for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018 — starred Zooey Deschanel as the titular new girl Jessica Day, who ends up living in a loft with three bachelors (Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield and Lamorne Morris) after a bad breakup. The show also starred Hannah Simone, who played Jess’ best friend Cece, and Damon Wayans Jr., who portrayed lovable fourth roommate Coach.

Although none of the actors found love on set, the cast got extremely close while shooting New Girl.

“I miss playing Jessica Day, I loved playing that character,” Deschanel told the A.V. Club in October 2022. “It was so much fun being on set every day. Mainly, I miss the camaraderie with the other actors, I loved working with everyone.”

Although Jess may have dated Johnson’s Nick Miller in the show, in real life, Deschanel has been in a relationship with Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott since 2019. Johnson, meanwhile, has been married to Erin Payne since 2005.

Here’s everything to know about the real-life loves of the New Girl cast.

Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott

Deschanel played Jessica Day, an “adorkable” teacher who moves into the loft in the first episode. She’s been in a relationship with Scott since 2019, when they met while filming an episode of Carpool Karaoke.

The couple got engaged in 2023 when they were on a trip to Scotland with Deschanel’s children Elsie and Charlie (whom she co-parents with ex-husband Jacob Pechenik).

Though the couple is going strong, they’re not in a rush to get married. “I can guarantee you we have done absolutely 0% more work,” Scott told PEOPLE in December 2024. “We’ve just had a lot of things going on. Maybe that’ll be my New Year’s resolution — we’ve got to get this wedding figured out.”

Jake Johnson and Erin Payne

Johnson played Nick Miller, the curmudgeonly bartender who’s involved in a will-they-or-won’t-they relationship with Jess. In real life, Johnson is married to Payne.

The couple have been married since 2005. In 2014, they welcomed twin daughters, Elizabeth and Olivia.

Payne is a visual artist who has won awards for her work. She’s also worked in Hollywood, contributing art to films like The Lovely Bones and Shutter Island — and New Girl, drawing the pictures that hung in Johnson’s character Nick’s bedroom.

In August 2014, Johnson revealed why he doesn’t share many personal details about their life together.

“I love to act, but I didn’t get into the business to be a huge celebrity,” Johnson told Variance. “I’m married. I know that’s tricky in Hollywood, but I’m not going to give up my wife so I can have more of what someone perceives as success. I love two things: my wife and my job. And although I love my job, I’m a happier person because I have my wife.”

Max Greenfield and Tess Sanchez

Greenfield played Schmidt, a marketing associate with very particular personality quirks. Greenfield is married to former casting director Tess Sanchez, whom he wed in 2008.

The couple share daughter Lilly, born in 2009, and son Ozzie, born in 2015.

“Max always puts me first — smartly — which makes for a happy home,” Sanchez told PARENTS in September 2021. “And because we’re thoughtful with each other, we’ve ended up with empathetic, nice kids, because that’s what they see all day.”

Sanchez was a longtime casting director who worked on films like Cast Away. In 2020, she lost her job amid the pandemic; five years later in April 2025, Sanchez published a collection of essays about the experience, called We’ve Decided to Go in a Different Direction.

“I wrote it like I was talking to my best friend,” she told PEOPLE. “I highly encourage a glass of wine and your bestie.”

Hannah Simone and Jesse Giddings

Simone played Cece Parekh, a model and Schmidt’s longtime unrequited love — until they end up happily ever after. Simone married artist Jesse Giddings in 2016.

A former television personality at E! News, Giddings is now a photographer and filmmaker.

In August 2017, they welcomed a son together. Later that year, Simone gave PEOPLE a tour of her baby’s nursery.

“I found inspiration through my travels, and I was able to create a room that takes on a cozy rustic style while also maintaining a nostalgic vintage feel,” she said.

Lamorne Morris

Morris played Winston Bishop, a former professional basketball player who’s struggling to find his next move after his sports career is over.

He was previously linked to E! News correspondent Erin Lim, but is currently single.

Morris has a daughter named Lily, who was born in 2020. He hasn’t publicly shared who Lily’s mother is; however, he has revealed that she is an actor with whom he co-parents.

During a September 2024 episode of his The Lamorning After Podcast, Morris shared that having Lily made him realize what’s important.

“It allows me to filter out B.S. quicker, people I don’t want to hang out with,” he said. “People I don’t want to spend time with. Activities I shouldn’t be doing. I find myself more focused.”

Damon Wayans Jr. and Samara Saraiva

Wayans played Coach, a former athlete turned personal trainer. In real life, Wayans is married to Samara Saraiva.

The pair met at a dinner party in Miami, where mutual friends were trying to set Wayans up with Saraiva’s cousin. They didn’t hit it off that night, but reconnected later and married around 2016.

The couple shares a blended family. Wayans has three daughters — Amara, Aniya and Berlyn — from previous relationships, and the couple also have three children together.

“I’m, like, crazy about my wife,” Wayans said in an October 2018 interview with BUILD. “I think she’s awesome and we have a lot of fun together.”

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