Actor Damon Wayans Jr. is coming back to the small screen in another hit Fox sitcom.
According to the Hollywood Reporter , the former New Girl actor will guest star on the popular series, Brooklyn Nine-Nine which stars Andy Samberg and Terry Crews.
The report claims that Damon Wayans Jr. will play Stevie — a longtime friend and former partner of Andy Samberg’s leading character Jake. Back when Jake worked as a beat cop, Stevie was apparently his first partner.
Damon Wayans Jr. to guest star on Brooklyn Nine-Nine https://t.co/2UZr41ZY5C pic.twitter.com/EBExPAbWiG
— The AV Club (@TheAVClub) December 15, 2015
In the episode which will pair Wayans and Samberg alongside each other, their characters are reunited to investigate a case together. The reunion allows them to dive right back into their glory days of the past. However, the rekindled bond is reportedly going to get in the way of Jake’s current best friend — Charles (played by actor Joe Lo Truglio.)
Damon will join a growing list of other celebrity guest-stars this season on Brooklyn Nine-Nine which also includes Archie Panjabi, Nick Offerman, and Mary-Lynn Rajskub.
Damon Wayans Jr. should feel right at home on Fox, especially since he starred in another popular sitcom on the same network — New Girl — for 40 episodes as Ernie (also known as “Coach.”)
Wayans originally left the New Girlcast back in 2011 in favor of a starring role within the ensemble cast of the popular ABC series, Happy Endings.
After the show’s cancellation, Wayans seemed to jump right back into the role that he had left behind to the delight of New Girl fans, critics, cast mates and crew members, as well.
In a November, 2013, interview with E! Online , the 33-year-old actor opened up about how actor Jake Johnson (his New Girl co-star) convinced him to return to the show.
” ‘Happy Endings’ was over and [Jake and I] did a movie together. We know each other a little too well. And Jake talked to me about coming back to New Girl and maybe doing some stuff. And then it actually happened, so it just felt right … It’s like being back with the family.”
Damon Wayans Jr. returned to the cast of New Girl as a recurring guest star during its third season. He later signed a one-season deal to become a series regular. However, instead of renewing that contract, the former My Wife and Kids actor decided to step away from the series once again.
damon wayans jr is gonna be in brooklyn 99. i’m a happy girl
— farah (@precioussreed) December 15, 2015
most people see damon wayans jr as coach from new girl but he’s actually brad from happy endings!!!
— mariel (@chinuplilpup) December 14, 2015
According to Deadline , New Girl creator Liz Meriwether had nothing but positive things to say about Wayans.
“We love Damon and are so lucky to have had him return for the past season-and-a-half. We are working on crafting an exit for him that will leave the door open for many more returns.”
New Girl fans and critics may remember that the fourth season ended with Coach moving away with his girlfriend to support her — separating himself from his longtime friends and frequent roommates.
http://t.co/BQH7rwp1TR New Girl Says Goodbye to Damon Wayans Jr. in Season 4 Finale, But Max Greenfield Says He C… pic.twitter.com/UIaG0LPtUB
— Fanuendo (@Fanuendo) May 5, 2015
However, Meriwether was right about leaving the door open for his character’s re-entry — especially since Coach did not have a “healthy” history when it came to relationships.
In the meantime, fans will be able to enjoy seeing Damon Wayans Jr. collaborating with funnyman Andy Samberg on Brooklyn Nine-Nine next year. Wayans is also starring in the upcoming film, How to Be Single starring Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson.
[Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images]