A New Chapter for Nobody Wants This on Netflix

"Nobody Wants This" is back for a second season, and it's not just the same old story. This time, the show is tackling some serious issues head-on.

A Love Story with Depth

The first season was a surprise hit, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the love story between Noah, a Reform rabbi, and Joanne, a podcast host who's not so sure about religion. But the show didn't just win over fans—it also faced some tough criticism for how it portrayed Jewish women.

Criticism and Representation

Some viewers felt that the show played into negative stereotypes, especially with characters like Noah's sister-in-law, Esther, and his mom, Bina. They were often seen as the "bad guys" compared to Joanne and her sister, Morgan.

Rabbi Elan Babchuck, who watched the first season, had some strong words about it. He thought the show made Judaism seem like a test to pass, rather than a tradition to pass on. But even with those criticisms, he ended up appreciating the show for its representation of Jewish life.

Season 2: New Showrunners, New Story

For Season 2, the showrunners have changed, and so has the story. Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan, who worked on "Girls," are now in charge. They're working to protect the creator's vision while also bringing in new perspectives.

The second season dives deeper into the fallout of Noah not getting the job as head rabbi because Joanne wasn't ready to convert. It also gives more depth to Bina and Esther's characters, showing a side of them that wasn't explored in the first season.

Addressing Criticism

The cast and crew have been open about the criticism they've received. They acknowledge that not everyone is going to love the show, and that's okay. They've taken steps to make sure the representation of Judaism is accurate, like hiring a rabbi consultant to review scripts and work with the writers. Actor Adam Brody even went the extra mile to make sure his Hebrew pronunciations were spot-on.

A Love Story Set Against Judaism

At its core, "Nobody Wants This" is a love story set against the backdrop of Judaism. The creator, Erin Foster, wants the religious elements to feel natural, not heavy-handed. For some viewers, that's what makes the show so special—it sparks conversations about what it means to be Jewish in a way that's both uplifting and curious. Even if not every Jewish person sees themselves in the show, it's part of the diverse and complex Jewish narrative.