From ‘New Girl’ to ‘The Dink’: Jake Johnson Breaks Down His New Pickleball Movie

Beloved New Girl star Jake Johnson is making a triumphant return to the sports comedy genre with Apple TV+’s The Dink, playing Dusty Boyd, a washed-up former tennis prodigy forced to swallow his pride and transition to the world of competitive pickleball. Discussing his meeting with The Dink writer, Sean Clements, and how he came on board(Via Variety):

 I feel like that mid-level comedy movie has gone away, where there’s no big message or crazy surprise, it’s just really good jokes, one-liners and some heart in a three-act story. He said, “What do you know about pickleball?” I said, “Nothing.” And he said, “Well, I have the story for you.” So, we started developing it together.

The feel-good redemption story centers heavily on the surprisingly heartwarming and hilariously awkward dynamic between Johnson’s character and his co-star, Oscar-winner Mary Steenburgen (who plays Candace). Johnson recently opened up about building that effortless comedic chemistry on set, praising Steenburgen’s Southern charm, sharp wit, and willingness to dive headfirst into unexpected physical comedy (including landing a few memorable slaps on court).

Jake Johnson Shares His Experience of Working with Mary Steenburgen in The Dink

Mary Steenburgen and Jake Johnson in The Dink (2026)

While The Dink features a stacked ensemble, including Ed Harris, Ben Stiller, Patton Oswalt, and Chloe Fineman, it is the platonic, grounding relationship between Dusty and Candace that gives the film its emotional core. Johnson noted how seamless it was to bounce off Steenburgen.

Despite the dynamic lingering around potential romance, the storyline playfully flips expected Hollywood tropes. Rather than focusing on their age gap, the humor stems entirely from unrequited affection: Dusty gets hopelessly flustered, only to be flatly turned down simply because Candace isn’t interested.

Johnson highlighted how refreshing it was to portray a modern, post-rejection bond where two characters of opposite genders can move past awkward romantic tension and maintain a genuine, supportive friendship. During his interview with Variety, he mentioned:

She may be older and he’s younger but it’s just not what she wants. And after the rejection, they can still be friends. You can be friends with people of the opposite gender!

Beyond its comedic sports backdrop, The Dink shines brightest through its character-driven dialogue. The interplay between Dusty’s stubborn denial and Candace’s unbothered candor creates a funny, grounded rhythm that elevates the whole picture.

Have you checked out The Dink on Apple TV+ yet? What did you think of Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen’s onscreen chemistry? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

The Dink is now streaming on Apple TV+.