Eva Longoria leaned on a trusted friend while assembling the cast of Netflix's "The Fifth Wheel" ... tapping Brooks Nader for a role in the Netflix comedy. Production sources tell TMZ ... it was Eva who personally asked Brooks to be part of the female-driven film. The two have been friends for a few years, and Eva believed Brooks would be a strong fit for the project. We're told there were no shortcuts, and Brooks still came in and read for the role like any other actress. She auditioned,