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 for her new Shrinking costar Damon Wayans Jr.'s latest achievement.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, the Emmy-nominated actress, 35, says she texted her costar about his and his former New Girl stars Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson and Lamorne Morris' recent reunion interview for PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive issue.

“Dude, this is f—ing awesome," Williams recalled texting Wayans. The sitcom star continued to rave about Wayans’ previous show, adding, “I love all those dudes. I think they're all hysterical.”

Williams confesses 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, ‘Holy s—, you're fast.' "

Williams tells PEOPLE she and one of the Shrinking producers decided that they “nailed” the job by casting Wayans as her new love interest. 

She quickly confirms that Wayans had “instant chemistry” with the cast. “He just works with everybody,” she reveals. “He has that Je ne sais quoi, a special magic. He's really special.”

Wayans joined the second season as Derrick #2, a friend of Derek (Ted McGinley) and Liz (Christa Miller). Shrinking stars Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) as a single dad grieving the sudden loss of his wife as he navigates 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 end their casual relationship.

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

Williams and her costars have a better understanding of “what the show looks like,” its tone, and its characters, she said. The former Daily Show correspondent adds that when working opposite Segel, 44, she “didn't have to worry about anything, but just being present with him and making sure that I was doing Gaby justice.” 

“Acting with him is like permission for me to be, like, free ... He's just always game and ready to meet me wherever I'm at and vice versa," she says. "There's something really nice about having someone that just has your back no matter what.”

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New episodes of Shrinking Season 2 are released on Wednesdays on AppleTV+.