On Oct. 23, Netflix released the second season of its hit television series “Nobody Wants This.” Following Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody), the rom-com’s authentic and nuanced take on 21st-century dating is a breath of fresh air.
Their main obstacle? Noah is a rabbi, while Joanne is an agnostic sex podcaster. Over the show’s two seasons, the pair works to reconcile their differing backgrounds — inspired in part by the real-life experience of creator Erin Foster’s early relationship with her husband.
The series also follows Noah’s brother Sasha (Timothy Simons) and his wife Esther (Jackie Tohn), who embark on an emotional journey of self-discovery in the second season: While Sasha wants a second child, Esther isn’t even sure she wants their marriage to continue.
As the two couples struggle to find their rhythm, “Nobody Wants This” makes one thing clear — the importance of authentic communication amid conflict.
The second season unleashes another unexpected relationship when Joanne’s sister Morgan (Justine Lupe) starts dating her therapist. The show’s wit and Morgan’s lack of inhibition make it hard not to enjoy watching Morgan learn to make empowered decisions.
On top of the character development, the show is top-rated in its funny yet accurate portrayal of Judaism. It pokes fun at Jewish stereotypes — particularly through Noah’s strict yet well-meaning mother Bina (Tovah Feldshuh) — but the show also normalizes the use of Yiddish in everyday language in a way that feels natural.
While some critics have complained that the show is boring because “nothing happens,” the show’s slow pace provides a realism that elevates its storytelling. Relationships are not easy, and they are often not theatrical. “Nobody Wants This” knows that — and doesn’t hesitate to show it.
But the show has been somewhat divisive in Jewish communities, particularly for its portrayal of Jewish women as rude and gossipy.
The first season introduced Noah’s mother and Esther as judgmental Jewish women who conform a little too strongly to stereotypes. Bina is portrayed as a meddling, overbearing mother who won’t let her son date a goy — a non-Jewish person — and Esther is depicted much like a prototypical “Jewish American Princess.”
The show has included Jewish writers and rabbinical input since its first season, but the effect of its commentary continues to be debated. At the end of the day, no form of media can be absolutely perfect, and “Nobody Wants This” is a fun, lighthearted and impressively accurate depiction of some aspects of modern Jewish culture.
Now that Netflix has officially announced a third season to be aired in 2026, fans will need to wait with bated breath to find out what happens to their favorite — and not-so-favorite — couples.
Talia LeVine is a section editor covering arts and culture. They study Political Science and Visual Art with a focus on photography. In their free time, they can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee.
