Joanne is an outspoken, agnostic podcast host who fell in love with a rabbi after they meet at a dinner party. They’re deeply in love, but is their connection strong enough to survive the cultural differences? And will she convert to Judaism for her new love? 

“The question of conversion is such a large and heavy one,” says Bell. “Noah cannot be with Joanne unless she converts but doesn’t want her to do it for him. Joanne doesn’t want to change for a guy but wants to be with Noah. So there’s an incredible amount of friction.”

The Good Place, Veronica Mars, Frozen

Noah is an unconventional rabbi who didn’t expect to fall for someone outside his faith. Dating someone who isn’t Jewish could endanger his job, but he and Joanne love each other, and he only wants her to convert if she chooses it for herself — not for him.

Season 2 sees Noah and Joanne becoming more of a “we.” Think hosting their first dinner party together, merging friend groups, and figuring out Joanne’s potential conversion timeline. “She challenges him to be more independent and to think outside the box. He challenges her to stay, fight, and not run when times are tough,” says Brody.

The O.C., Jennifer’s Body, Ready or Not

Morgan is Joanne’s sister and co-host of their Nobody Wants This podcast. Last season, she struck up an unlikely friendship with Sasha. In Season 2, she explores more of what she wants out of a relationship and finds romance in an unexpected place.

“We closed out last season with Morgan being the observer of Noah and Joanne’s relationship and feeling a kind of emptiness in her own life,” says Lupe. “So Morgan’s walking into the season in a place of longing for something. It feels like she’s stepping out with a little bit more single girl energy.”

Succession, Mr. Mercedes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Sasha is Noah’s older brother. He’s married to Esther, and they have a teen daughter. His surprising friendship with Morgan is a point of discomfort for Esther, and they start to work through it in Season 2.

“Sasha has a little bit of learned incompetence of not knowing if he did something wrong [with Morgan],” says Simons. “He’s trying to figure out if he did and what it was. He’s also trying to recommit himself to his marriage and make Esther feel better.”

Veep, The Handmaid’s Tale, Don’t Worry Darling

Esther is Sasha’s wife, the disciplined half of their opposites-attract relationship. Learning about Sasha’s friendship with the freewheeling Morgan makes Esther question her identity. She goes on a journey of self-discovery in Season 2 — most importantly, she affirms that she is “also fun.”

“Esther realizes in Season 1 that everyone else is having fun except for her,” says Tohn. “She’s like, ‘Why am I the only one with a stick up my butt? I’m going to have a good time, too.’ ”

GLOW, Best Leftovers Ever!, A Futile and Stupid Gesture

Henry is Joanne and Morgan’s dad. He likes to seek advice when it comes to his dating life, and Noah is happy to oblige.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, EXmas

Lynn is Joanne and Morgan’s mom. This season, she unexpectedly taps into her spiritual side.

Uncoupled, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

Ilan is Noah and Sasha’s dad. He loves his wife and his family — and has an easier time warming up to Joanne than his wife, Bina, does.

The Wire, The Irishman

Bina is Noah and Sasha’s mom. She is devoted to her faith and wants to see Noah with a nice Jewish girl. But, begrudgingly, she comes around to seeing what Noah sees in Joanne.

Kissing Jessica Stein, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Ashley produces Joanne and Morgan’s Nobody Wants This podcast. We also have her to thank for bringing Joanne and Noah together — they meet at her dinner party in the first episode of the series.

Good Trouble, Joy Ride

Abby is Joanne’s nemesis from middle school who is now an Instagram mommy influencer. Offscreen, Meester is married to Brody. Co-showrunner Konner is happy to report that the couple are “so wonderful to each other. It’s what you dream of as a fan.”

Gossip Girl, The Buccaneers

Dr. Andy is a charming, highly regarded (particularly by himself) psychotherapist who might just be the perfect match for Morgan. Lupe and Moayed were both in the cast of Succession, and while their characters might not have shared a ton of screen time, they bonded offscreen when filming on location. So when Konner brought Moayed’s name up for the part, Lupe thought he was the perfect fit. “He’s really charming,” says Lupe.

Succession, Inventing Anna

Rabbi Neil at Temple Ahava is not a regular rabbi — he’s a chill rabbi. He offers his congregants an alternative way to worship, where girlfriends of rabbis don’t necessarily have to rush their conversion decision.

“He is the funniest person I’ve ever met,” Konner says of the multi-hyphenate, whom she has known since he was 18. “He makes writers’ jobs really easy, because he’s a genius and a great writer.”

The Studio, The Interview

Rabbi Cami is on the same page as Rabbi Neil at Temple Ahava — religion should be expansive and not restrictive. Rigidity? Who needs it!

Konner considered Rogen and Berlant’s energy together a dream during filming. “They started doing this improv where they have a tiny bit of tension between them, which was not scripted at all. It makes me laugh every time I see it,” she says. “When you get brilliant people to come in, it makes your writing and the show better.” 

Maddie’s Secret, Don’t Worry, Darling