Deschanel's Sister on 'New Girl' Named as Linda Cardellini
Zooey Deschanel is getting an onscreen sister on "New Girl," according to reports this week.
Linda Cardellini is joining Fox's comedy show as Abby, the wild sister of Deschanel's character, Jess, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The 38-year-old actress is best known for her recent stint on AMC's "Mad Men" where she portrayed the mistress of Don Draper (portrayed by Jon Hamm). The role earned Cardellini an Emmy nomination for Best Guest Actress in a Drama.
While Cardellini's role as Abby on "New Girl" is a recurring one, the number of episodes she will appear in remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, the episodes with Cardellini are set to air in February.
The current season of "New Girl" also includes guest appearances by Damon Wayans Jr., Adam Brody and singer Prince.
In the past, "New Girl" has introduced other family members of its main character Jess, including her mother who was portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis while Rob Reiner portrayed the patriarch.
Meanwhile, Deschanel's real-life big sister is "Bones" star Emily Deschanel. The sisters were born in Santa Monica, Calif. to Academy Award-nominated cinematographer and director Caleb Deschanel and actress Mary Jo Deschanel.
Zooey has previously discussed growing up in Hollywood with such influential family members, including her "evil" older sister.
"Emily's four years older, which is a very vulnerable amount of years," Deschanel once explained during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
"Because when I was 3, she was 7, and she was already evil," the actress quipped.
Deschanel went on to recount her elder sisters' routine of scaring her with "crazy faces" and frightening voices.
"I was terrified," the actress recalled. "She would make me cry and then my dad would come in and try to mediate, and then she would laugh."