List of new Girl characters - Wikipedia List of new Girl characters This article needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. ( August 2017 ) New Girl is an American television situation comedy created by Elizabeth Meriwether. The show, set in Los Angeles, depicts the interpersonal adventures of offbeat teacher Jess ( Zooey Deschanel ) after her spontaneous move into a loft with three men, played by Jake Johnson ( Nick ), Max Greenfield ( Schmidt ) and Lamorne Morris ( Winston ) ; Jess 's best friend Cece ( Hannah Simone ) and old - turned - new loftmate Coach ( Damon Wayans, Jr. ) also appear. Contents 1 Main characters 2 Recurring characters 3 Special guest characters 4 Guest characters 5 Other characters 6 References 7 External links Main characters Summary of character appearances Character Portrayed by Seasons 5 6 Jessica `` Jess '' Day Zooey Deschanel Main Nicholas `` Nick '' Miller Jake M. Johnson Main Schmidt Max Greenfield Main Coach Damon Wayans, Jr. Main Recurring Main Special guest Winston Bishop Lamorne Morris Main Cece Parekh Schmidt Hannah Simone Main Zooey Deschanel as Jessica `` Jess '' Christopher Day, a bubbly, offbeat teacher in her early thirties who is originally from Portland, Oregon. After discovering in the pilot episode that her live - in boyfriend, Spencer, is cheating on her, she moves into the guys ' apartment where Nick, Schmidt, and Winston help her move on from her break - up. Following failed relationships with a fellow teacher ( Paul ) and a successful middle - aged man ( Russell ) and getting fired from her teaching job, she starts a casual relationship with a doctor ( Sam ). Jake Johnson as Nicholas `` Nick '' Miller, a perennial slacker and grumpy young man who is originally from Chicago. He is introduced as a law school drop - out who supports himself by working as a bartender and still struggles from a break - up with his long - term girlfriend, Caroline. After a failed relationship with a tough lawyer in the middle of season 1, Nick tries to rekindle his romance with Caroline and almost moves in with her at the end of season 1. Max Greenfield as Winston Schmidt, who goes by Schmidt, an overly confident Jewish ladies ' man who is originally from Long Island, New York. Schmidt met Nick and Winston in college while attending Syracuse University, when he was overweight. Since then, he has worked hard to be seen as physically attractive and cool. Because of this, he often says offensive or cocky things, as a consequence of which he must put money in the `` douche - bag jar '' of the apartment. Schmidt is a successful marketing associate in a female - dominated office and is known for his numerous flings with women. In the second half of season 1, he starts a casual relationship with fashion model and best friend of Jess, Cece, which later on becomes a serious relationship. However, in the season 1 finale, he ends his relationship with Cece because he feels she may no longer want to be with him. At the end of season 2, he rekindles a relationship with his college girlfriend Elizabeth, but after Cece confesses her feelings for him, he is forced to choose between them in the season 2 finale. In the second - to - last episode of season 6 his first name and the reason he did not use it ( possible confusion with Winston Bishop ) are revealed. Damon Wayans, Jr. as Ernie `` Coach '' Tagliaboo ( seasons 1 & 4 ; recurring season 3 ; special guest seasons 5 & 6 ), a cocky and driven, yet sometime awkward former athlete who now works as a personal trainer. He is one of the roommates when Jess first moves into the loft in the pilot, but he moves out before the second episode for then - undisclosed reasons, allowing for Winston to take his place. Because the three need a new tenant, Coach returns to the loft in season 3 's `` Coach '' and stays for the entire season, and in season 4 is promoted to series regular. At the end of season 4, Coach moves to New York with his girlfriend May and is once again not present in season 5. Lamorne Morris as Winston L ' Andre Bishop, a tenacious and somewhat eccentric former basketball player from Chicago and Nick 's childhood friend. Losing his post as point guard for a team in the Latvian Basketball League, he returns to America and moves back into the guys ' apartment in the second episode. During season 1, he struggles adjusting to his new life. After dabbling in a few odd jobs, he finally gets his break as a research assistant to a sports radio show host. He also gets back with Shelby, an ex he had treated neglectfully in the past. He later trained as police officer and is dating his tough, but kind - hearted colleague, Aly. Hannah Simone as Cecilia `` Cece '' Parekh, a street - smart and snarky fashion model of Indian heritage. She has been Jess 's best friend since childhood. Initially skeptical of Jess 's new roommates, Cece becomes interested in Schmidt and tries to keep her fling with him a secret. With their secret relationship revealed at the end of season 1, she decides to move on, yet still had feelings towards him. In season 2, she discovers that she has limited time to conceive a baby and decides to enter an arranged marriage with a man called Shivrang. However, she calls off the wedding in the season 2 finale after realizing that she is still in love with Schmidt and has no feelings for Shivrang ( who also turned out to be in love with someone else ). At the start of season 3, a confused Schmidt misleads her as he attempts to carry on two distinct relationships. However, she soon discovers the truth and is left to recuperate after the break - up. Recurring characters The series also features a number of recurring and guest characters : Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Caroline ( season 1 ; guest season 3 ), Nick 's ex-girlfriend. Gillian Vigman as Kim ( season 1 ; guest seasons 3 & 5 -- 6 ), Schmidt 's boss. Justin Long as Paul ( season 1 ; guest season 4 ), Jess ' ex-boyfriend and a music teacher at Jess 's former job. Quirky and emotional, the group criticizes him for being a male version of Jess. Michaela Watkins as Gina ( season 1 ; guest season 4 ), Schmidt 's no - nonsense boss. Rachael Harris as Tanya Lamontagne ( season 1 ; guest season 2 ), the vice principal at Jess 's first job. Lizzy Caplan as Julia ( season 1 ), Nick 's ex-girlfriend. She has a strained relationship with Jess as their personality clashes. Kali Hawk as Shelby ( seasons 1 ; guest season 2 ), Winston 's ex-girlfriend, they dated before he went to Latvia and started dating again after he returned. Dermot Mulroney as Russell ( season 1 ; guest season 2 ), Jess ' ex-boyfriend, who is the father of one of her former students. He is a businessman whose maturity clashes with the group 's arrested development. Rebecca Reid as Nadia ( season 5 -- present ; co-star seasons 1 -- 2 ; guest season 4 ), one of Cece 's roommates, who is also a model. She also briefly had an awkward sexual encounter with Schmidt. Nelson Franklin as Robby ( seasons 2 & 5 -- 6 ), Cece 's ex-boyfriend. Laid - back and nice, he represents a contrast to Schmidt, who hates him but later tries to ally with him against Shivrang. Later, he confesses to having feelings for Jess. In season 6, it is revealed that Robby and Jess are related as third cousins. David Walton as Sam ( seasons 2 & 5 ), Jess 's doctor ex-boyfriend. Carla Gugino as Emma ( season 2 ), the Vice President of Schmidt 's company, whom Schmidt had a brief sexual relationship with. Jamie Lee Curtis as Joan ( seasons 3 -- 4 ; guest season 2 ), Jess ' mom. She and Bob are divorced and she shares some personality quirks with Jess. Rob Reiner as Bob Day ( season 2 -- 4 ; guest season 6 ), Jess ' father. Though he admits to having many similarities to Nick, he is very protective of Jess and disapproves of their relationship. In season four, he becomes engaged to one of Jess ' former schoolmates. Olivia Munn as Angie ( season 2 ), Nick 's stripper ex-girlfriend. Satya Bhabha as Shivrang ( season 2 ), Cece 's strait - laced ex-fiancé. Brenda Song as Daisy ( seasons 2 -- 3 ), Winston 's ex-girlfriend. Steve Agee as Outside Dave ( season 3 -- 6 ; guest season 2 ), a homeless man who lives outside of the apartment building and often interacts with Jess and the roommates. Merritt Wever as Elizabeth ( seasons 2 -- 3 ), Schmidt 's ex-girlfriend. Curtis Armstrong as Principal Foster ( formerly Dr. Foster ) ( season 3 -- present ; guest season 2 ), first appeared as a doctor before he resurfaced as the eccentric principal of Jess ' new job. Despite his apparent incompetence and frequent oddness, he and Jess have a congenial relationship. Angela Kinsey as Rose ( season 3 ; guest season 4 ), a friend and colleague of Jess. Jessica Chaffin as Bertie ( season 3 ), Winston 's odd bus driver ex-girlfriend. Brian Posehn as Biology Teacher ( seasons 3 -- 4 ), otherwise known as Lorenzo, he works at Jess ' new job. He 's very odd and incompetent. Linda Cardellini as Abby Day ( season 3 ), Jess ' older sister. She is much harder - edged than Jess. Julian Morris as Ryan ( season 4 ), the British new science teacher of Jess ' new school and her new love interest. Greta Lee as Kai ( season 4 ), Tran 's granddaughter who eventually becomes Nick 's girlfriend. Zoe Lister - Jones as Fawn Moscato ( season 4 ), Schmidt 's love interest. Meaghan Rath as May ( seasons 4 -- 5 ), Coach 's girlfriend. Nasim Pedrad as Aly Nelson ( seasons 5 -- 6 ; guest season 4 ), Winston 's officer partner and eventually fiancée. Peter Gallagher as Gavin ( seasons 5 -- 6 ), Schmidt 's father. Special guest characters Megan Fox as Reagan ( season 5 -- 6 ), a gorgeous, straight - shooting pharmaceutical sales rep who comes to town on business and shakes things up in the loft when she rents out Jess ' room while she is sequestered on jury duty ( during Zooey Deschanel 's parental leave ). Reagan and Nick break up at the end of season six. Andy Samberg as Jake Peralta ( season 6 ), A detective in the NYPD whom Jess encounters when he commandeers her vehicle in pursuit of a suspect. His appearance is part of a crossover event with Brooklyn Nine - Nine. Andre Braugher as Captain Raymond Holt ( season 6 ), the captain of the 99th precinct in Brooklyn who Jess gets advice ( and soup ) from when venting about her dislike of the city. His appearance is part of a crossover event with Brooklyn Nine - Nine. Chelsea Peretti as Gina Linetti ( season 6 ), a receptionist within the NYPD whom Jess encounters to sort out paying for damages to Schmidt 's mom 's car. Her appearance is part of a crossover event with Brooklyn Nine - Nine. Joe Lo Truglio as Charles Boyle ( season 6 ), a detective with the NYPD who runs into Nick and Winston in the subway when they 're busking for train fare. His appearance is part of a crossover event with Brooklyn Nine - Nine. Guest characters June Diane Raphael as Sadie ( seasons 1 -- 3 & 6 ), a gynecologist and a friend of Jess and Cece. She is a lesbian, and has been married for over five years to Melissa ( Kay Cannon ). Sadie was nine months pregnant with their first child at the end of season two. Jeff Kober as Remy ( seasons 1 -- 2 ), the creepy landlord of the apartment building. Eva Amurri Martino as Beth ( seasons 1 & 3 ), Schmidt 's colleague and rival. Stephen Amell as Kyle ( season 1 ), Cece 's ex-boyfriend. Jeanne Tripplehorn as Ouli ( season 1 ), Russell 's ex-wife. Phil Hendrie as Joe Napoli ( season 1 ), sports radio host and Winston 's boss. Dennis Farina as Walt Miller ( season 2 ), Nick 's deceased father. He was a conman and had a complicated relationship with Nick. Dylan O'Brien as The Guy ( season 2 ), a guy who Jess met at her prom. He almost took his virginity in a playground castle but they got stuck. When the firemen were trying to rescue them, he told Jess that he might be gay. Taylor Swift as Elaine ( season 2 ), Shivrang ran away with her at Cece 's wedding. Ben Falcone as Mike ( seasons 3 -- 4 ), another bartender at the bar. Jon Lovitz as Rabbi ( season 3 ), Schmidt 's Rabbi. He dislikes Schmidt intensely. Nora Dunn as Louise ( season 4 - present ), Schmidt 's mother. Anna George as Priyanka ( season 5 ), Cece 's mother. Sam Richardson as Dunston ( season 5 ), a not - particularly - bright, very clumsy police officer who gets paired up with Winston. Sonequa Martin - Green as Rhonda ( seasons 5 -- 6 ), Winston 's prankster ex-wife. Other characters Ralph Ahn as Tran, a silent elderly Asian man. Nick meets him in a park and sometimes goes to him to vent and ask for advice, despite his apparent silence. References Jump up ^ Gelman, Vlada ( May 5, 2014 ). `` New Girl Ups Damon Wayans Jr. to Series Regular ''. TV Line. Retrieved May 5, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Clean Break ''. New Girl. Season 4. Episode 22. May 5, 2015. 06 : 10 minutes in. Fox. External links Wikiquote has quotations related to : New Girl ( TV series ) Official website New Girl on IMDb New Girl Awards and nominations Episodes Season 1 `` Pilot '' `` Normal '' `` Prince '' 5 6 Characters Jessica Day Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_New_Girl_characters&oldid=799189236 '' Categories : New Girl Lists of American sitcom television characters Hidden categories : Wikipedia articles in need of updating from August 2017 All Wikipedia articles in need of updating Official website not in Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 6 September 2017, at 05 : 21. About Wikipedia

Question: who plays schmidt's mom on new girl
Answer: Nora Dunn