It’s safe to say that Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This” is giving the rom-com genre some much-needed energy by showcasing realistic relationship issues—particularly a couple dealing with religious differences. The series, created by Erin Foster, follows the unlikely match of agnostic sex podcaster Joanne (Kristen Bell) and “hot rabbi” Noah (Adam Brody). The show serves as a prime example of how important comic timing and chemistry are—especially the punchy humor brought by Justine Lupe and Timothy Simons, who play Bell and Brody’s siblings, Morgan and Sasha, respectively.
Ahead of Season 2, which debuts Oct. 23, we sat down with casting directors Brett Greenstein and Collin Daniel to learn how they built this standout ensemble—and how they upped the game for the new installment, which includes “Gossip Girl” alum (and Brody’s wife) Leighton Meester.
Here’s the inside scoop on how “Nobody Wants This” got cast—from what Greenstein and Daniel look for when it comes to chemistry to how improv can help actors land roles.
Bell and Brody’s friendship was key to casting “Nobody Wants This.”
Greenstein and Daniel agree that Bell and Brody work so well together largely because the stars were already friends. “It really does help that they had a personal relationship previous to the show, and that they had worked together before,” says Greenstein.
Chemistry is “like lightning in a bottle,” Daniel explains. “You can’t create chemistry if it’s not there. We’ve seen cases where shows don’t work because there’s no chemistry [between the actors].”
Bell and Brody were also on board to help with the audition process, making it easier than usual to find an ensemble that matched their energy. “Adam and Kristen were both available for our diverse auditions, and we were able to pair them with different people and read with different actors,” says Daniel. “We could really see the chemistry right from the get-go, which is a huge bonus for us, because you don’t always get that luxury in casting.”
Improv was helpful in filling out the ensemble.
When chatting about the roles of Morgan (Lupe) and Sasha (Simons), the CDs told us that Lupe’s character was one of the first that they tackled, while Simons’ was the last. “You can believe them as sisters,” Daniel says of Lupe and Bell. “[Lupe] is hilarious, and we’ve done a couple of comedy pilots with her in the past, so she was always at the top of our list and on our radar.”
As for Simons, Daniel says they had “seen the entire town” by the time they cast him. “Tim is a comedic genius and one of those actors who you just can’t take your eyes off of, because he’s so inventive, funny, and makes the smartest choices. And so when he and Adam got together in the audition room, it was just like, Wow, this makes so much sense.
“We did a couple of versions by the script, and then we did a looser version where [they] could both improv together,” he explains. “[Simons] is such a genius at that, and it nailed it for him.”
Simons’ improv skills also kept Brody on his toes. “He had to be a little more like, Oh, we’re in this,” Greenstein says. “[Simons] is a formidable match. So it was fun to watch Adam step up to that level, energy-wise, and see them banter back and forth.”
The show’s success changed the casting process for Season 2.
Following Season 1’s acclaim, Daniel shares that the response from people who want to be on the show has been “overwhelming.”
“We’ve had way more submissions. Very [big-name] actors reached out, being like, ‘We’re huge fans of the show. We’ll do anything on it,’ ” he says.
As for upcoming guest stars, Greenstein says, “We probably can’t announce [them], but they are very cool—and I think have a lot to do with the popularity of the show, and the story, and just [being] part of the cultural zeitgeist,” he says.
One new cast member who has been named is Meester, who will play Abby, a Los Angeles mom-fluencer and Joanne’s middle school rival. Bringing the actor aboard, Daniel says, was a “very easy” process.
“Leighton came up in the writers’ room early on in the season. Producers were like, ‘I wonder if Leighton would do this.’ So, they asked Adam, and she was on board the next day,” he says.
Greenstein adds, “It’s a great role for her. It’s so funny. You’ll love what she’s doing. It’s really fun.”
CDs want actors to be ready for their audition but also know it’s OK to find their flow.
A good auditioner is “just one that is prepared and making smart choices, or choices that are appropriate to the show,” says Greenstein. He advises actors to take some time to get into the groove of the moment, and allow themselves the space upfront to figure things out. “There’s nothing you can do to force [chemistry], and it also takes some time to warm up. You might not have it in the first moment, right out of the gate,” he says.
“Let’s get to know each other a little bit. Let’s chat. Let’s run the scene a couple of times and get the nerves out,” he suggests. “We know it’s not going to be amazing right from the bat. Sometimes it is; sometimes it isn’t. But we’re very open to just saying, ‘Let’s try it.’ ”
Social media is a legit way to break in—now more than ever.
“We’re constantly looking at TikTok and Instagram Reels for funny people that we’ve never seen before,” says Daniel. “We’ll have our office track them down and have them tape. That’s the beauty of self-tapes now; you can cast a wider net.”
The CD suggests using social media to your advantage, especially if you’re having trouble with traditional pathways. “Now’s the best time to create your own content, because the industry is a little bit slower than normal,” he says. “It’s the perfect time for actors to put their own material out there, because you never know who’s going to see it and where it’s going to lead.”
Greenstein and Daniel reveal their best tips for early career actors.
Standing out in the audition room for “Nobody Wants This,” or any show like it, is a matter of being able to “keep it real,” Daniel says.
“The show is pretty much grounded in reality; it’s just real conversations,” he explains. “That’s where a lot of actors go wrong sometimes, is trying to push it a little too far, as opposed to just being natural, grounded, and real.”
As for general advice, they agree that aspiring actors should be respectful to everyone, no matter their experience. “Be nice to every single person, whether it’s the assistant or an intern, because you never know where that person is going to end up,” says Daniel. “Treat everyone with the same level of respect and kindness that you want to be shown. I think we’ve always tried to do that in our office, and it’s really stuck with me throughout my career.”
And when you’re just starting out, Greenstein shares it’s a good idea to say yes to as much as you feel comfortable with. “When you don’t have a lot of credits under your belt and [you’re] just doing your own stuff—shooting a web series, shooting a short film, or doing TikTok videos—it’s [important to] network,” he says. “We’re in a business where you just never know where your next job is going to come from.
“We always encourage people to just say yes and do the job—even if it’s two lines and you feel like it’s too small for you and you want to hold out for something bigger,” he adds. “You just never know. That director of that episode may find you and see that you’re perfect for something else that [they’re] doing, or you really pop on set and they want to write more for you because you’re so funny.”
Where to find casting calls for “Nobody Wants This”
While “Nobody Wants This” isn’t actively casting at this time, our main Netflix casting page regularly updates with the latest opportunities as they become available. You may also want to explore our guide on how to audition for Netflix as you prepare for future calls.