Netflix Redemption: How 'Nobody Wants This' Saved My Subscription

By Emma Kate Miller

I’d been saying for months that of all the streaming services we subscribe to, Netflix was hanging on by a thread. With Apple TV+ serving up top-tier content like Slow Horses, Bad Sisters, and Palm Royale, and Prime Video dishing out comfort shows in spades, Netflix just wasn’t pulling its weight. I was ready to give it until the end of autumn—just long enough to finish the annual Gilmore Girls binge—before pulling the plug for good.

Then something happened: my sister (a real telly connoisseur) was raving about a new Netflix show called Nobody Wants This. I felt a little sniffly yesterday, it was grey and wet outside so as I bashed on with the Festive Issue, I figured it couldn’t hurt to give it a go. To my surprise, Netflix got lucky. This show turned out to be exactly what we all need right now—heartwarming, funny, and dripping with that perfect autumn rom-com energy. By seven minutes into episode two, I was laughing out loud (genuinely, a proper LOL!) and immediately texted my sister to admit she was completely right.

Nobody Wants This stars Kristen Bell as Joanne, a free-spirited thirtysomething who co-hosts a successful podcast with her sister Morgan (played by Justine Lupe). Their show, which tackles topics like sex and relationships (the latest episode: “Dildo’s and Dildon’ts”), is as bold and unfiltered as their personalities. Joanne is your typical modern woman—agnostic, headstrong, and just trying to navigate life in the big city. Enter Adam Brody as Noah, a progressive rabbi who recently broke up with his long-term girlfriend, much to the dismay of their families, who were expecting a proposal. 

When Joanne and Noah meet at a party, sparks fly instantly, and the chemistry is undeniable. It’s rare to see an on-screen romance that feels so authentic, but the connection between these two is electric and believable from the start. Watching them fall for each other, despite their differences, is a joy—especially when you throw in awkward family dynamics and the challenges of interfaith romance. It’s a rom-com setup that could easily feel tired, but somehow it manages to be fresh and compelling.

Sure, some critics have pointed out the stereotyping and flaws in the characters, and they’re not entirely wrong. But it’s clear that creator Erin Foster approaches this show with genuine care. Drawing from her own experience of falling in love with a Jewish man (she converted for him), Foster brings an authenticity to the story that allows her to get away with jokes that might otherwise land badly in today’s cancel culture climate. The characters are flawed, yes, but they’re also deeply relatable, and the dialogue feels refreshingly real.

Ultimately, it’s the chemistry between Kristen Bell and Adam Brody that makes the show shine. Their banter is sharp, their dynamic is believable, and watching their interfaith romance unfold feels both comforting and new. It’s the perfect show for cosy autumn nights, and honestly, it’s the kind of feel-good gem that Netflix needed to stay in my good books.

If you’re looking for something to curl up with as the evenings get colder, Nobody Wants This is well worth a watch. It’s funny, heartfelt, and just the right amount of cheesy—exactly what we need to brighten up these chilly days. So for now, Netflix survives... but we'll see how long it lasts.