Prepare to be amazed as Zooey Deschanel undergoes a jaw-dropping transformation in her groundbreaking role in the third season of the hit series ‘Physical.’ Known for her iconic stint as Jess Day on ‘New Girl,’ Deschanel has left her familiar persona far behind to take on the challenging character of Kelli, a sitcom star determined to conquer the fitness industry on Apple TV+.
In an exclusive interview with The Messenger, director Stephanie Laing opened up about Deschanel’s remarkable performance, emphasizing how it completely detached itself from the actress’s previous roles. Laing noted, “In my mind, she was just Kelli. It didn’t really register as Zooey ever, honestly. She dressed so differently, and she obviously used two different voices. Imaginary Kelli sounds one way, real Kelli sounds another, so it’s very distinct and detailed. It didn’t remind me of anything I’ve ever seen Zooey in.”
In ‘Physical,’ Kelli also serves as the inner negative voice tormenting Sheila, portrayed by Rose Byrne. Deschanel’s portrayal of this antagonistic character extends beyond her blonde tresses, as she improvised insults to Byrne during their scenes together. Laing shared, “Oftentimes when she was playing imaginary Kelli, we would improvise her insults to Rose, and it was very freeing to watch a room full of people just insult each other and then laugh about it.”
Laing referred to this unique “parasocial” relationship as a pivotal element that underscores the stark contrast between the real Kelli and the negative voice Sheila battles within her mind. This imaginary Kelli has taken over Sheila’s internal monologue, setting the stage for intense drama in Season 3, following the cliffhanger ending of Season 2.
As Season 3 unfolds, audiences will witness a dramatic shift in Sheila’s relationship with food, which required meticulous preparation and research. Laing alluded to a particularly striking scene involving Sheila’s head in the toilet, a never-before-seen moment on-screen. She explained, “We felt like we’d earned it. We don’t see anything beyond that, but we’ve never done that before. We did a lot of research on it, and we’re presenting it in a very honest way. We approach it with truth, and that’s all I can really say about it.”
With ‘Physical’ wrapping up this season, Laing assured viewers that Sheila’s character will ultimately find herself in a “great place.” However, she cautioned that the road to recovery is a long and arduous one. Deschanel’s incredible transformation in this season of ‘Physical’ has undoubtedly left fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this gripping series.