Mindy Kaling Dishes On How Ex-Boyfriend B.J. Novak Played Cupid In Her ‘Mindy Project’ Love Interest, Thanks Hulu For Saving Show
Mindy Kaling may be the star of The Mindy Project now, but most couch potatoes saw her first as Kelly Kapoor from The Office. Back then, Mindy worked with B.J. Novak, who was a screenwriter and Mindy’s co-star. The two also dated.
However, that romance fizzled a long time ago, and despite having to describe their relationship as “complicated,” it seems that the two remain really good friends and colleagues.
At Hulu’s TCA Party on Sunday, Mindy Kaling revealed that Novak had a hand in pushing her towards her Mindy Project love interest, Danny Castellano played by Chris Messina.
Novak, who was a producer for the pilot episode of Mindy Project, convinced Mindy that Messina was a good choice. Kaling wasn’t sold on Messina to play her love interest, but Novak’s goading made her agree to cast him in the show, according to People.
Apparently, Novak had a “good feeling” after Messina’s casting session and shared his thoughts with Mindy.
“It’s like he has such a good taste, and he knows me so well.”
It all turned out for the better, as Mindy and Chris’ on-screen chemistry is apparent.
“We’re such different kinds of people. Our energies were so different, it might be enjoyable to watch, but I didn’t know going into it.”
Mindy Kaling also talked about how grateful she is to Hulu for picking up The Mindy Project‘s fourth season. As reported by Cinema Blend, The Mindy Project was cancelled in May after three seasons for low ratings. Now, Hulu has picked up the show.
“I’m so grateful and I just want to make the show better than it’s ever been. We went from ‘We’re never doing this show again’ to having more work than ever.”
Hulu has ordered for 26 episodes for Season 4 of The Mindy Project, as CBS News reports, which is by far the most episodes for any Mindy Project season. According to the same news report, the show will be featuring more of its supporting cast members on screen, as they no longer have the constraints set by Fox.
When asked if Mindy Kaling would work on producing for other shows, she said that she’s concentrating on The Mindy Project.
“Right now, I just want to make sure that I get [The Mindy Project] right. I see so many people that I admire who do it and I’ve been approached to do it before. I don’t want the people who’ve spent years of their life on this show to feel I’ve checked out by doing something else.”
Season 4 of The Mindy Project will debut on Hulu on September 15.
[Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Grey Goose Vodka]
