Gigi Hadid’s surprise turn in Not Suitable for Work was not only hidden from viewers. Some of the cast did not know she was coming either.
The model appears in episode 3 of Mindy Kaling’s new Hulu comedy as Catherine, the woman who storms into the office of Jay Ellis’ character, Bill, during a relationship confrontation. People reported that Kaling explained how the cameo came together after the show premiered June 2.
The scene was built as a quick entrance for a character who needed to change the energy of the room as soon as she arrived.
Kaling Wanted Hadid for One Scene
Kaling told People that Bill’s girlfriend had to make a strong impression because Bill is written as a larger-than-life character with a famously gorgeous, tempestuous woman in his life.
The idea became specific quickly. Kaling said the team knew they only had one scene and thought it would be funny if Hadid did it.
Kaling had already worked with Hadid in a different format. Hadid recorded a voiceover for a season 2 episode of Never Have I Ever focused on Darren Barnet’s Paxton Hall-Yoshida. Kaling told People she knew Hadid was funny from that experience, but she did not know whether Hadid wanted to do anything onscreen.
The commitment was small, Hadid lived in New York, and the team reached out. Kaling said they were lucky when Hadid said yes.
The Cast Did Not Know She Was Coming
View this post on Instagram
The surprise also worked behind the scenes.
Ella Hunt, who plays A.J., told People that the production had a habit of keeping major guest stars quiet until the last moment. She said she did not know Hadid would be in the scene until they were about to shoot it.
Hunt said she first saw Hadid from behind and went over to compliment her coat before realizing who she was. Will Angus, who plays Davis, also told People the moment felt strange and surprising, joking that Kaling knows everybody.
Us Weekly reported that Hunt later said Hadid sent her a coat after the compliment. Hunt called the gesture generous and said Hadid crushed the scene.
The Hulu Comedy Premiered June 2
Not Suitable for Work follows five work-obsessed 20-somethings trying to balance career ambition and personal happiness in Manhattan’s Murray Hill.
The official Hulu press page says the series premiered June 2 with three episodes, followed by two episodes weekly.
The cast includes Ella Hunt, Avantika, Will Angus, Jack Martin, Nicholas Duvernay, and Jay Ellis. Hulu also lists recurring guest stars including Victor Garber, Greg Germann, Judy Gold, Ego Nwodim, Harry Richardson, Constance Wu, Laura Bell Bundy, May Hong, Bhavesh Patel, Emilia Suárez, and Michael Benjamin Washington.
Hadid’s cameo fits that guest-star setup because it gives episode 3 a recognizable name in a short, specific scene rather than turning the role into a long-term cast announcement.
Hadid Could Return
Kaling did not rule out seeing Catherine again.
She told People she thought Hadid was fabulous on the show and had already been thinking about ways the character could come back.
For now, the confirmed story is simple: Kaling wanted Hadid for a one-scene role, the cast was kept in the dark, Hunt accidentally complimented Hadid’s coat before recognizing her, and Hadid later sent her one.