At a time when Israelis are defending themselves against angry artists protesting the end of a war, and antisemitic-tinged demonstrations are sweeping European cities, a show titled Nobody Wants This feels either like a perfectly timed jab — or a petty prod at a very raw wound. It’s not an easy moment to be Jewish, whether in Israel, abroad or even on Netflix.
As the world is once again reminded how complex Jewish existence can be — at best — or projects its worst instincts onto Jews — at worst — Nobody Wants This returns with its second season, offering one possible coping mechanism: turn the tension into a romantic comedy.
‘Nobody Wants This’ Season 2 – Trailer
(Courtesy of Netflix)
At the end of Season 1, viewers followed the inevitable breakup — and reunion — of Joanne (Kristen Bell), a non-Jewish relationship podcaster, and Noah (Adam Brody), the charming young rabbi. Now comes the tougher part: sustaining the relationship. The honeymoon phase with viewers is over, and the characters must transition from falling in love to building a functioning relationship. Noah must still juggle his Jewish identity with his romantic life — while Joanne has no issue with Noah being Jewish, Noah’s community isn’t always as easygoing.
Behind the scenes, Season 1, based on the life of creator Erin Foster, was reportedly chaotic — last-minute rewrites, scrapped episodes and confusion over the show’s tone. None of that stopped Nobody Wants This from becoming a Netflix hit, thanks to its snappy pacing, sharp dialogue and polished presentation — despite its formulaic plot and limited narrative depth.
To keep the success going, Netflix brought in showrunners Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan, both alumni of Girls, to steady the ship. Konner made it clear in interviews: she didn’t want to change a thing — she just wanted “more of the same.”
And that’s exactly what viewers get in Season 2 — for better or worse. After ten more episodes of Joanne clashing with Noah’s family and community, and Noah debating whether to pursue his dream rabbinic job or stay with the woman he loves, it’s hard not to feel like you’re watching a slightly less enchanting rerun of Season 1.
Still, the show has made some meaningful upgrades. Supporting characters, particularly Sasha and Esther — Noah’s brother (played by Veep’s Timothy Simons) and his less abrasive wife (Jackie Tohn) — get more screen time and emotional arcs. The change seems partly in response to past criticism over flat female characters.
Joanne’s sister Morgan (played by the excellent Justine Lupe) also gets a more nuanced storyline, and Noah himself starts to crack under the pressure of being the perfect partner, revealing a people-pleasing streak many viewers will find relatable.
As expected with Netflix’s signature rom-com formula, the characters are led through contrived plot twists toward a tidy climax — one that neatly paves the way for a potential third season.
Some might say Nobody Wants This is exactly what it sets out to be: a glossy, guilt-free confection. It delivers elevated, easy-to-digest entertainment, replacing the tired rom-com format with better production values and more polished writing. But the characters never truly inspire deep emotion or connection (no one even mentions that both leads are well into their 40s), and the show is unlikely to leave a lasting impression.
Perhaps that’s the point: to gently disconnect viewers from their anxieties and lull them into a drama-free, sleep-friendly escape.