Timothy Olyphant to romance Mindy Kaling on ‘The Mindy Project’: amazing?

I really enjoyed the first season of The Mindy Project – the writing got stronger and stronger as the show went on, and by the season finale, they had really reached an excellent stride. The heart of the show is pretty much Mindy’s relationship with Danny, played wonderfully by Chris Messina, but Mindy and Danny aren’t quite ready for each other (or are they?!), so Mindy spent the first season dating an assortment of Mindy-perfect dudes. One of my favorites was played by BJ Novak, and I also loved when Seth Meyers came on for a guest-spot. Mindy also got to spend some time with Seth Rogen, Ed Helms and others. And now she’s going to steal Bedhead’s main man! Timothy Olyphant has scheduled a guest-appearance on the show… and he’s going to play a skateboarder. YIKES.

Mindy Lahiri is about to add another hunky notch to her love belt: “Justified” star Timothy Olyphant is set to guest-star in an episode of “The Mindy Project.”

Olyphant will ditch the boots, hat and laid-back swagger of Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens for a … skateboard. The actor is set to play Graham Logan, “a wild, professional skateboarder in his mid-40s who nearly runs Mindy over in Union Square before asking her out on a date.”

Naturally, Mindy can’t resist — hello, the damsel in distress is a meet-cute mainstay in the rom-com world! J.Lo would be mulch if Matthew McConaughey hadn’t rescued her from a high-speed trash bin. And before Charlotte York was contending with Trey MacDougal’s bedroom issues, she was swooning over how they met: His taxi nearly ran her over. Thank you, Mindy Kaling (who stars as the unlucky-in-love Mindy Lahiri), for keeping the tradition going.

The hit-and-run episode will air early in the season. Olyphant joins other guest stars dropping by in the upcoming season. Others include James Franco, Chloe Sevigny, Anders Holm, Bill Hader, Kris Humphries, Glenn Howerton, the National and Adam Pally.

“The Mindy Project” kicks off its second season on Sept. 17 at 9:30 p.m. PT/ET.

[From The LAT]

Yes, Kris Humphries is also supposed to make a cameo/guest appearance in the show. You know Mindy loves basketball players, right? She loves flirting with ballers in The VIP. As for Olyphant and Mindy… well, he seems much too old for her (sorry Bedhead), but I think he’s probably playing one of those 45-going-on-25 dudes, which is right in Mindy’s area. It will be interesting to see if they have any chemistry. I bet they do. I know she’s not everyone’s favorite, but I think she’s adorable and I bet Olyphant loved the chance to play a funny character on a well-written sitcom.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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61 Responses to “Timothy Olyphant to romance Mindy Kaling on ‘The Mindy Project’: amazing?”

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  1. V4Real says:

    WHAT IS THIS? Hot Scruffy Dong Day!

    Another man who’s a little rough around the edges that I would love to bang. I love me some Olyphant.

  2. Amelia says:

    WOOHOO!
    Love The Mindy Project, love Olyphant, this is a near perfect post 🙂
    I have to say, my favourite love interest (if you can call him that, he was only in one episode) of Mindy’s was the prostitute/singer-songwriter.

    • Holly says:

      Yes! Was that Seth Meyer’s brother? (I can’t recall.)

      She actually gets so many incredible love interests that it’s going to become really silly if she goes through a string of the funniest/hottest/most charismatic guys. She’s going to have to write them way more screwed up or it’s going to get even harder to believe.

  3. Nev says:

    AWESOME.

  4. Nan209 says:

    He was funny in the office. I can totally seem him as 40 something professional skater. I love her show, I love the characters, and love the kind of guys she hooks up (a minister…lol). Can’t wait for the new season.

    • Holly says:

      I think he’ll be channeling the character he played in Go for this one; I can see the similarities already – woohoo!

    • Sara says:

      Who did he play in the office?

      • Keats says:

        The sexy traveling salesman. Danny something? I was too distracted when he was on screen to pay attention to details.

      • mia girl says:

        Danny Cordray. Rival company traveling salesman who after a failed sting operation joins Dunder Mifflin- but only on a few episodes.
        Part of his backstory was he dated Pam a couple of times.
        Oh and Mindy Kailing wrote the first episode he appeared on.

        I’ll now show myself, my love for Olyphant and my over invested Office fanship out the door.

      • Rachel says:

        It was the Season after Michael Scott left and the producers went on a stunt casting frenzy. That whole season belongs in the bottom of the sea honestly. Same goes for Mindy Project imo….right next to Jen Aniston last 5 films.

      • mia girl says:

        Actually Rachel, Olyphant appeared during Michael Scott’s final season, not after.

  5. Kate says:

    Tim is better looking and cooler than the guys people here usually stan. I’ll take him any day over Cumberbitch, Hiddleston, Pitt, Clooney or sparkles.

    Both on Justified and in real life he has amazing charisma and sense of humour.

    • mom2two says:

      I agree 100% about Tim!

    • Raven says:

      ITA. So cool and way more interesting then the usual.

      • Kate says:

        He has charisma with women, men, inanimate objects. I could watch him stand around or walk and it’s hypnotizing.
        The camera loves his face, it’s more flawless than a woman’s, it’s scary what amazing skin he has.
        I still can’t believe his 45, he has a body of a 20 year old swimmer.

    • Sunlily says:

      This comment exhibits no lies. Preach.

      I honestly don’t like The Mindy Project, as I find Mindy Kaling funny in small doses. Like 30 minutes is too much of her, and I just end up turning. But I’m going to watch the hell out of that show when Mr. Olyphant is on.

      • Cel says:

        Agree with you about The Mindy Project – it hasn’t been on UK tv long, but from the first episode I didn’t like Mindy.

        Will definitely be tuning in to see Tim though. Hopefully he will fall off the skateboard and clothing will be removed to patch him up!

      • alihar says:

        Timothy….I would tune in to watch him do anything. He could be sitting in a chair looking at a camera and it would do it for me.

    • lucy2 says:

      I agree – he’s way hotter than those guys, and after seeing Justified, I’m incredibly impressed with his acting talent as well. Plus he is hilarious.

      • Ruth Dunbar says:

        He’s gorgeous, but what I love the most is that he’s a total hoot to listen to. He reminds me *just a little bit* of a younger Harrison Ford.

    • emmie_a says:

      Totally agree!!!!

      And I love Mindy Kaling – I’m soo glad they renewed her show. I wish her tons and tons of success!!!

    • Maria says:

      Bless your light.

  6. break says:

    Smart woman. If I had my own TV show, I’d certainly write him in as a love interest.

  7. Allijo says:

    He was awesome in his guest spot on The League last season as the sushi chef. Will start watching The Mindy Project for this.

    How have we not referenced the similarities to the skateboarder character and his Sex and the City character yet?!?! He’s got this.

  8. mia girl says:

    This Tuesday is giving me Hot Guy Friday flashbacks! Bana, Ruffalo and Olyphant posts on the same day? Even Pattinson has some good photos today.
    I swear all I need there is a McAvoy post and I’m officially combusting.

  9. Darkladi says:

    OMG. I love him!!!

  10. Ashling says:

    Didn’t he skateboard in a movie years ago? Or am I misremembering. BTW- Love, Love, Love Timothy Olyphant. Remember when he was the drug dealer in that Katie Holmes teeny bobber movie? I was so disappointed when their sex on the stairs got interrupted.

  11. VV says:

    I loved him in Deadwood. Actually I liked a lot about Deadwood but his glare is by far the most ‘glariest’ haha.

    I also enjoy the Mindy Project. Their trip to the women’s prison was pretty freaken amazing lol

    • Kate says:

      Lord, he was sex/manace/anger all at once on Deadwood. His sex scene with the actress on that show was so sizzling, like damn. Looked like he will eat or tear her apart. His glare is both scary and attractive.

  12. megs283 says:

    Oh crap. I forget – didn’t the season leave off with her committing to the pastor? (Haircut and all.) This could be interesting…

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Yes! She almost kissed Danny, then said she was going on the mission with the pastor. Spoiler! Love the show and love her.

      • megs283 says:

        I didn’t think it would last…but I confess I did want to see a scene of her trying to rough it in a tent while on a mission trip!

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Me, too. Maybe she’ll go for a little while. That would be hilarious.

  13. lucy2 says:

    Damn you, Mindy Kaling. NO FAIR! Yes, I’m insanely jealous, but I love her and she’s talented, so I’ll accept it.

    The Mindy Project really got good as it went along, so I’m excited for season 2, and even more so now with the Olyphant news.

    Anyone who hasn’t seen Justified simply must. It’s SOOOO good.

    • Dairy Queen says:

      I’d marry the dialogue on Justified, it’s so good and hilariously delivered by the actors. Justified does comedy better than real comedies and it’s a drama.

      Even characters that appear for 1 minute have more depth than leads on other shows.

  14. Mrs.Darcy says:

    Love it, it would have been fun if he played one of his brooding vaguely menacing types but I guess this will be a change of direction and sure he will have fun w/it. How is he too old for her? He is a tall drink of hotness, she’s only like 10 yrs younger or something. I have hated all of her boyfriends so far, aside from Dr.Danny (still airing season one in U.K.).

  15. Sassy says:

    Damn, he’s sexy! Love me some T.O.

  16. j.eyre says:

    Good lord! This is turning out to be the hottest non-CHemboy day EVER. I fear if I open another post I will need my smelling salts.

    Now if we can just get Mr. Olyphant out of that Dodger’s jersey

  17. Stubbylove says:

    This is awesome – love me some Olyphant. It will be hilarious to see him in this role alongside Mindy.

  18. Jeanette says:

    Gawwwdddd Id hit that til id have to quit it..mmm mmm mmm mmmm mmmmmm

  19. Nancy says:

    I love the Mindy Project! Mindy + Danny <3

  20. Jess says:

    I love Mindy Kaling and I love The Mindy Project! Her dirtbag sports agent boyfriend was very funny. And you’re right – the connection between Mindy and Danny is what gives the show heart, but it’s way too soon for them to get together! I also love Morgan!

  21. d says:

    Oh, Timothy Olyphant. Sigh… My Lord, is he ever a yummy, YUMMY man. And good too. I’ve liked him in everything I’ve seen him in. I just started watching season 1 of Justified – he’s so perfect in that. Everyone is. An awesome series so far. He was great in that movie The Crazies too.

  22. dj says:

    I almost choked when I read that headline! Olyphant is my man. I don’t get the hate for Mindy. She is hilarious! I love that the show illustrates talented, educated women as we are…funny, clumsy and not always lovable.

  23. fallen says:

    I love Mindy and her show!! I can’t believe Franco is going to be on!! I know people hate him, but I can’t help but love him.

  24. Jade says:

    So, I guess I’ll be watching The Mindy Project then. I will happily watch anything with Tim Olyphant! Beautiful man!

  25. flipflop says:

    Anyone who likes /timothy should watch Deadwood. Bonus, you get to watch Ian MacShane be Al.