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For a while, it seemed as if the romcom as an art form died and had been replaced by Marvel sequels and issue-led dramedies. Rachel and Ross were a distant memory (and not just because it was 20 years ago). Luckily, the genre – and our collective broken hearts – has been given CPR by a flurry of new releases. Few have been more affecting than Nobody Wants This (Netflix, from Thursday 23 October), the stomach-flipping story of rabbi Noah and relationship podcaster Joanne.
When the first series appeared on Netflix last year, the success was somewhat unexpected. With the streaming giant focused on content viewers could watch after a lobotomy, few expected a mega hit that would create a genuine emotional connection. Then we met Noah (millennial nostalgia-fix Adam Brody) and Joanne (Kristen Bell) and the combination of acting, lovable characterisation and tight writing saw critical acclaim, Emmy nominations and – most importantly – old-fashioned longing. The internet had a new boyfriend. Fleabag’s Hot Priest was old news. Hot Rabbi was here to save us. And he was a really good listener who could also cook pasta.
Inspired by creator Erin Foster’s experience of converting to Judaism for her husband, Nobody Wants This boils faith, family and modern dating into 26 tightly packed minutes. On top of ex-girlfriends and formidable mother-in-laws, our two lovers have a central obstacle to overcome: if he wants to be head rabbi, Noah needs to marry a Jewish woman.
When we last saw the couple, they were at a crossroads: Noah had been offered his dream job and Joanne had done the selfless act of leaving him so he could take it. The final scene of the two reuniting and kissing in the street perfectly set up a second season and with it pressing questions. Will Joanne convert? Will Noah quit his vocation? Will Noah’s mum murder Joanne when she finds out?
It says something about the snail pace of modern television that it feels a real treat to be getting a second series only 13 months after the first. All 10 episodes were available for preview but we were sworn to secrecy about the finer points. This included a PDF that had bullet points listing seven specific plot points that could not be disclosed, as well as a veto on naming the characters certain guest actors are playing. (Fans will already know that Gossip Girl alumna and Brody’s real-life wife Leighton Meester has joined the cast, as has Seth Rogen.) I couldn’t help but wonder if there are state secrets hidden behind Brody’s beard. Still, in an age of spoilers being posted online as soon as a series has dropped, you can only applaud Netflix’s commitment to the art of surprise.
Without giving too much away, I can say this new series will find the couple facing reality. It’s not that the honeymoon is over – the chemistry between Brody and Bell is as engaging as ever – but now the romantic reunion is done, they must get on with the day-to-day challenges of a relationship with differing cultures, religions and friends.
One of the strengths of this show from the beginning was the brilliant supporting cast, most notably Joanne’s sister Morgan (Justine Lupe in a career-best role), Noah’s brother Sasha (Veep’s Timothy Simons) and sister-in-law Esther (Jackie Tohn). So it’s a pleasure to see each of them get more screen time. Fresh from finding out her husband had been platonically texting “whore number two”, Esther gets a chance to show some vulnerability and expand on the slightly 2D depiction of battle-axe wife we saw in season one.
As the two families start to blend, the upshot is that different members of the cast get to interact with one another. I would happily watch a spin-off that consists entirely of Noah talking to Joanne’s newly out and self-obsessed father. The writers even manage to give Morgan and Noah’s mother a scene together. By the time half the family are squashed in a shed in episode three, you find yourself wishing it was 2008 and we got 24 episodes a year.
Here’s hoping Netflix delivers season three in record time – and starts commissioning other smart, heartstopping romantic comedies. Everybody wants more of this.
