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Gigi Hadid made her first onscreen acting debut in Mindy Kaling’s new Hulu comedy “Not Suitable for Work,” which premiered June 2, 2026. The supermodel’s surprise appearance as Catherine, the fiercely protective girlfriend of investment banker Bill Gibson (played by Jay Ellis), arrived in Episode 3 and caught both viewers and cast members completely off guard.
Quick Facts
- Gigi Hadid, age 31, plays Jay Ellis’ girlfriend Catherine in Episode 3
- The show premiered June 2, 2026 on Hulu with the first three episodes available
- Creator Mindy Kaling previously worked with Hadid on a voiceover role for “Never Have I Ever” Season 2
- Cast members Ella Hunt and Will Angus were not told Hadid would appear on set
How the Surprise Cameo Came Together
The decision to cast Hadid came together organically, according to Kaling. “I knew she was funny, but I didn’t know if she wanted to do anything on screen,” Kaling told PEOPLE exclusively. “So we just asked her, and the commitment was low, and she lives in New York, and we felt so lucky that she said yes.”
Kaling explained that the role required someone larger-than-life to match the character of Bill, who is described as a “larger-than-life character.” In the scene, Catherine storms into Bill’s office wearing a chic brown fur coat over butter-yellow pajamas, furious that he left their anniversary breakfast without saying goodbye. She delivers a memorable monologue about planning an elaborate morning with “chilaquiles and sex,” before dramatically dumping a tray of chilaquiles over his suit. “We knew we just had this one scene, and we thought, ‘It would be so funny if Gigi Hadid did this,'” Kaling said.
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Cast Reactions and Off-Set Kindness
Ella Hunt, who plays entry-level analyst AJ, had no warning about Hadid’s appearance. “They didn’t tell me,” Hunt, 28, revealed to PEOPLE. “I see this blonde woman from behind in a beautiful coat. And I go up to her to compliment her on her coat and she turns around, and I’m like, I love your coat, Gigi Hadid.” Hunt added that Hadid “was incredibly kind” off-camera, and the gesture extended beyond the set. After wrapping, Hadid sent Hunt a coat from her own knitwear brand, Guest in Residence.
Will Angus, who plays Davis, was equally surprised. “It was awesome,” he told PEOPLE. “I mean, it was weird, it was so weird. I don’t even know what to say. Mindy knows everybody.” Kaling teased that Hadid could return as Catherine in future seasons, saying, “I think she’s fabulous on the show. I was, like, thinking about how we could bring back that character.”
Why New York Casting Made the Difference
The show’s decision to film in Manhattan opened doors for high-profile guest appearances. Kaling explained that casting actors based in New York was key to landing surprise talent. “I don’t think we would have gotten any of those people if we’d been in LA,” she said. “It just would have been too difficult. But the show was in their backyard, so they were able to pop in and out.” The series features other notable guest stars including Zarna Garg and multiple Tony– and Oscar-nominated celebrities in subsequent episodes.
Sources
- PEOPLE.com — Mindy Kaling’s exclusive interview revealing how the Gigi Hadid cameo came about, cast reactions, and her potential return
- USA TODAY — Ella Hunt’s account of not recognizing Hadid on set, the gift she received, and Kaling’s explanation of the New York casting strategy
- E! News — Confirmation of Hadid’s first onscreen acting debut and premiere date
