Zooey Deschanel is joining “Physical” Season 3 on Apple TV+, a new addition to the 1980 San Diego-set half-hour comedy about a housewife named Sheila (Rose Byrne), who is obsessed with aerobics. Seeks empowerment through The “New Girl” star will play Kelly, a network sitcom star who ventures into the booming fitness industry.
Produced by Byrne and inspired by the real life of producer, writer, showrunner and EP Annie Weisman, “Physical” follows Sheila, a hardened housewife, who supports her controversial husband (Rory Scowell)’s bid for the state assembly. But she has her own ambitions personally. Battling personal demons and low self-esteem, she stumbles into the world of aerobics. In Season 2, Sheila successfully launched her first workout video, only to face new obstacles, including being torn between her husband and a new love, as well as fierce competition on the road to building a fitness empire. Confrontation is involved.
The series’ second season, which aired in August, also added Emmy winner Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus”) to the ensemble cast, which includes Dearde Friel and Paul Sparks.
Deschanel is an Emmy and Grammy-nominated actress and singer, best known for her portrayal as quirky school teacher Jess in Fox’s “New Girl”. He has also starred in the Christmas classic “Elf,” “Almost Famous” and “500 Days of Summer” in the rom-com “Yes Man” opposite Jim Carrey. Deschanel was also in “Dreamin’ Wild,” the pop-funk biopic about the Emerson family, which will premiere at the Venice Film Festival this year. She will also star in Sony’s live-action adaptation of “Harold and the Purple Crayon”. Deschanel’s band, She & Him, has released seven albums.
“Physical” is produced by Tomorrow Studio (an ITV studio partnership). The show is directed by Stephanie Lang, who also serves as executive producer with Marty Edelstein and Becky Clements for Tomorrow Studios and Craig Gillespie. Alisa Bachchan serves as co-executive producer.
Deschanel has been reiterated by CAA, Management 360 and Attorney Steve Warren.
