Jessica Williams Told Damon Wayans Jr. It 'Is F—ing Awesome' That He and the New Girl Cast Appear in PEOPLE Sexiest Man Alive Issue (Exclusive)

Jessica Williams couldn’t be more excited about her new one Shrinkage the latest achievement of actor Damon Wayans Jr.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, the 35-year-old Emmy-nominated actress says she texted her co-star about him and his ex New girl stars Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson and Lamorne Morris’ recent reunion interview for PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive issue.

“Dude, this is freaking awesome,” Williams recalled texting Wayans. The sitcom star went on to praise Wayans’ previous show, adding, “I love all those guys. I think they’re all hysterical.”

Williams admits that since working with Wayans, she’s learned more about his “silly” comedic style, adding that he has a quick wit, comparing it to the speed of a Ferrari. “You’re just like, ‘Shit, you’re fast.’ ”

Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Lamorne Morris and Max Greenfield.

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Williams tells PEOPLE that she and one of the Shrinkage producers decided they had nailed the deal by casting Wayans as her new lover.

She is quick to confirm that Wayans had “instant chemistry” with the cast. “He just works with everyone,” she reveals. “It has that Je ne sais quoi, a special magic. He is really special.”

Wayans joined the second season as Derrick #2, a friend of Derek (Ted McGinley) and Liz (Christa Miller). Shrinkage stars Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) as a single father grieving the sudden loss of his wife while continuing his friendships with Gaby (Williams), Liz, Derek, Brian (Michael Urie) and Paul (Harrison Ford). But Wayans’ arrival as Gaby’s possible love interest comes after she and co-worker-turned-friend Jimmy ended their on-and-off relationship.

“I think it was very important to find someone who could play Gaby,” she explains. Smiling, she adds, “Part of the show is the chemistry we all have with each other, no matter how you mix and match.”

Jessica Williams and Damon Wayans Jr. in “Reduction”.

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Williams and her colleagues have a better understanding of “what the show looks like,” its tone and characters, she said. Former Daily show The correspondent adds that while working opposite Segel, 44, “she didn’t have to worry about anything, just being present with him and making sure I respected Gaby.”

“Acting with him is like permission for me to be, like, free… He’s just always on and ready to meet me wherever I am and vice versa,” she says. “There’s something really nice about having someone who just has your back no matter what.”

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New episodes Shrinkage Season 2 airs Wednesdays on AppleTV+.

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Source: HIS Education