After season one of “Nobody Wants This” premiered on Netflix in September 2024, season two of the fan-favorite romantic comedy was highly-ancipated.
The first season follows the growing relationship between outspoken podcaster Joanne (Kristen Bell) and unconventional rabbi Noah (Adam Brody). The couple’s drastically different lives and Noah’s family’s disapproval of Joanne test their relationship from the beginning. As their relationship progresses, their difference in religion intensifies the pressure for Joanne to convert to Judaism in order to adhere to the societal expectations of Noah in his career. The finale leaves off with Joanne breaking up with Noah because she is not ready to convert and Noah rashly running after her, concluding that they would make it work despite looming uncertainty as to how.
Released on Oct. 23, the second season follows a similar plot as the first, centered around the core conflict of Joanne’s indecision regarding converting clashing with Noah’s career. After being passed over for Head Rabbi at Temple Chai due to his relationship with Joanne, Noah leaves and becomes a rabbi at the more progressive Temple Ahava instead. Despite his hopeful attitude as interfaith relationships are normalized at the reform Temple Ahava, Noah realizes it isn’t as religious as he would like, reconsiders his decision and his relationship with Joanne.
The wavering doubt within Joanne and Noah’s relationship parallels the first season, making the plot formulaic and predictable. The 10-part season feels like a dual ultimatum where instead of ‘nobody wanting this’ as the name suggests, nobody can ‘win.’ The extreme pressure on Joanne to hastily convert or break up with Noah is unethical; she should be able to explore religion on her own timeline. However, beyond celebrating shabbats and Purim, Joanne could have sought out other opportunities to explore the faith such as talking with other spouses who have converted because of their partners or listening to podcasts about the process.
Noah, caught between his career and his relationship, should embrace the uncertainty more. Instead of jumping into Temple Ahava, he should be more thoughtful and thorough in seeking his next job. He also should attempt to find another conservative synagogue that would also be open to his relationship with Joanne, as they would have known about it initially.
The second season emphasizes supporting characters like Joanne’s sister Morgan (Justine Lupe) as well as Noah’s brother and sister-in-law Sasha (Timothy Simons) and Esther (Jackie Tohn) more than in the earlier season. Although their plotlines feel irrelevant at times, Morgan’s quick-wit and Sasha and Esther’s rocky dynamic add a sense of unpredictability, which is necessary drama to the series.
Although the second season of “Nobody Wants This” does not necessarily break the mold, it is an engaging and enjoyable quick watch. “I liked this season but I felt like it was a little too similar to the last season; they break up because of their religious differences but then they end up back together,” senior Anna Rusnock said.
The first season was nominated for 28 awards, including three Emmys, three Golden Globes, three Critics Choice awards and two SAG awards. With only winning AFI TV Program of the Year and Adam Brody winning a Critics’ Choice Television Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series, viewers question whether the second season will follow a similar trajectory with a plethora of nominations but a small success rate. “I don’t think season two will win any awards because even though I enjoyed it I didn’t think it was that unique or super interesting,” Rusnock said.
Despite viewership decreasing 17% compared to the debut season, the second season hit 8.6 million views within the first four days of streaming, according to IMDb. As “Nobody Wants This” has been renewed for season three, fans can look forward to more in 2026. “I’m really excited to see more relatable Jewish characters and events and to see how the relationships develop more,” senior Molly Eisenfeld said.
