Nick Zano has served as the go-to sitcom love interest for shows like "Happy Endings" and "2 Broke Girls" over the last few years. He finally has landed a leading role in "One Big Happy," the new NBC comedy from executive producer Ellen DeGeneres.
Zano will star as the clumsy Luke, who decides to help his uptight gay best friend, Lizzie (Elisha Cuthbert) have a baby. Little does he know the woman of his dreams, Prudence (Kelly Brook), is just around the corner.
Luke and Prudence quickly get married and all seems well for the newlyweds, until they discover he's about to become a dad - to Lizzie's baby.
For the 37-year-old actor, the project was a family affair of sorts. He previously worked with writer Liz Feldman on "Two Broke Girls" and recruited Cuthbert to join their new show after working together on ABC's short-lived series "Happy Endings."
Zano spoke with Headlines & Global News about his new gig, creating his character Luke and having Ellen as a boss.
The six-episode first season of "One Big Happy" premieres on Tuesday, March 17 at 9:30 p.m. EDT on NBC.
Headlines & Global News: When did you first work with Liz Feldman?
Nick Zano: We worked together on "Two Broke Girls" and we got along. There were moments when we would be shooting the show and lock eyes, start converging and talking. We had an instant friendship. I respect her tremendously as a writer.
HNGN: Was she instrumental in you landing the lead for "One Big Happy"?
NZ: We had a meeting and I literally followed her through the entire development process. Being friends, I knew the show, so when it happened, it was like, "It's mine." She asked if I wanted to do it, and there was no question, "let's do this."
I've traveled (through) a lot of different shows, and I picked things up along the way that I loved and people I loved. Case in point - Liz, Elisha (Cuthbert), these are two people from two different shows that I want to work with. They're very special, and I feel fortunate in that during my personal journey I came across those two and we have a beautiful working relationship.
HNGN: Kelly appears naked on the show. What was she wearing on set during those naked scenes?
NZ: That would be up to her to share with you. That's her inside secret and one thing I've learned is don't comment on naked ladies.
HNGN: Was she the only person getting naked or did you also have to strip down at some point?
NZ: There is some nudity for me, but not that much. And when I do, I wear the same thing that Kelly wears - pasties and a lot of pixelation. From the neck to the knee I am pixelated.
HNGN: You said you've been a journeyman for a while. Do you feel with this group of people, you found a home that could be here for a long time?
NZ: Here's the thing, after the journey and experience, all I wanted was to set up a home base. The fact that the home base started with a friend and then another friend, and a wonderful actress, it felt immediately like, "Wow, this is our thing. Something we take pride in and enjoy." We work hard and it does pay off.
HNGN: Of the shows you've been on, which one stands out as your favorite experience?
NZ: I learned a lot on "Two Broke Girls" from (executive producer) Michael Patrick King. He's been a fantastic mentor and friend. "Happy Endings" was also an incredible experience.
HNGN: What would you most like people to know about "One Big Happy"?
NZ: At its core, it's a show about relationships and a matter of marrying those two worlds together.
