Ahead of the release of “Nobody Wants This” on Netflix, star Adam Brody tried to predict the romantic appeal of his character.
Brody plays Noah, a rabbi who catches feelings for Joanne, an agnostic podcaster played by Kristen Bell.
“The people will decide if it’s ‘Hot Rabbi Era’ or not,” he told TODAY.com in September. “That’s not for us to say.” (Bell added, “I’m here for it.”)
It appears the people have decided.
Since the show hit the streaming platform Sept. 26, fans have been gushing not only over the chemistry between the two characters, but also over Brody as a Jewish, “emotionally available” heartthrob.
“I can finally say that NOBODY WANTS THIS is perfect,” One X user wrote. “A romcom that is actually romance AND comedy. Adam Brody leveling up to a place of hotness that I didn’t think could be possible. A first kiss scene that had me GIDDY!!!!”
One person shared, “There are celeb crushes and then there’s whatever the hell I feel about Adam Brody.”
“’Nobody Wants This’ bringing back REAL passionate kissing on tv. We love you Adam Brody,” another shared.
Millennials who grew up with “The O.C.,” a mid-2000s teen drama starring Brody as Seth Cohen, were both nostalgic and amazed at how little changed.
“One day you’re 14 daydreaming about Adam Brody’s fictional character and next thing you know you’re 34 daydreaming about Adam Brody’s fictional character,” a viewer wrote.
Another wrote, “Yep, I still have a crush on Adam Brody.”
Fans admired Noah’s supportive behavior and how he fought past Joanne’s fear, avoidant streak and self-sabotaging tendencies.
“Adam Brody chasing after Kristen Bell not once but multiple times throughout the season to communicate his feelings openly and honestly,” one user shared, paired with a GIF of Kenny Rodrigeuz from “Love Is Blind USA” weeping.
One particular moment between Noah and Joanne moved fans, who took it as a balm for every time they had been called “too much.”
In Episode 6, Noah calls Joanne out for self-sabotaging. Putting his hands on her shoulder, he says, “Joanne, I’m on your side. I can handle you.”
Reflecting on the moment, writer Meecham Wilson shared, “Adam Brody healed all the girls who have ever been told they were ‘too much’ when he said this. I cried actually.”
In an interview with TODAY.com, “Nobody Wants This” creator Erin Foster said the series was informed by her real-life love story with husband Simon Tikhman.
While Tikhman is not a rabbi, he is a practicing Jew. Foster converted to Judaism before they got married, a decision Joan also weighs.
In the character of Noah, Foster said she was motivated to show a “good guy (could) also be the ‘crushable’ guy that you want to end up with.”
