New season, new complications, new cast members.
When we last caught up with the Nobody Wants This cast, everyone was headed into uncharted territory: Joanne (Kristen Bell) and her rabbi boyfriend, Noah (Adam Brody), were ready to take the next step in their relationship; Sasha (Timothy Simons) and his wife, Esther (Jackie Tohn), had separated; and Morgan (Justine Lupe) had called off an engagement and returned to the single life.
But if Season 2 left everyone at a crossroads, Season 3 is ready to pop the cork on loads of exciting developments. “This season feels like Champagne,” says executive producer and co-showrunner Jenni Konner.
Season 3 picks up with Joanne and Noah already living together. But as Joanne works her way through the process of converting to Judaism, she’s introduced to a new social world that revolves around the temple. Enter: Sarah Silverman as Rabbi Eden, who leads Joanne’s conversion class, and Andrew Rannells as Sebastian, a fellow religion student with a biting tongue.
“Andrew is hysterical. He’s so malleable. He can give you exactly what you want. And Sarah plays sincere really, really well, and it’s a fun quality because it’s unexpected, and we really love getting to see that side of her,” says show creator Erin Foster, who herself shows up in a surprise cameo in Episode 4.
Across LA, Esther continues her own journey of self-discovery, welcoming a new man, Julian (Steven Weber), into her life. Sasha’s attempts at bachelorhood are a little shakier. At the same time, Morgan is charting her own path — trying to create (and predict, with the help of a psychic played by Sadie Sandler) a future for herself that involves book publishing and better luck with relationships.
Below, check in with the Angelenos at the heart of Nobody Wants This — including new faces, old friends, and a couple of buzzy cameos — and stream Season 3 now, exclusively on Netflix.
Joanne is the outspoken podcast host who fell in love with a rabbi named Noah. She and Noah have taken the next step in their relationship and moved in together. After navigating the prospect of conversion throughout Season 2, Joanne has decided to take the leap and join the Jewish faith in Season 3.
Joanne is striving to figure out what it means not just to become Jewish, but to build a life with a rabbi on her own terms. “It’s a hurdle, but it’s representative of these two people coming from different worlds and coming together and trying to make it work,” says Foster, who based the show on her own real-life love story.
The Good Place, Veronica Mars, Frozen
Noah is the unconventional rabbi who only has eyes for Joanne. Now that Noah and Joanne have moved in together and are fully committed, Noah is striving to reclaim his place front and center at Temple Chai.
Meanwhile, on the home front, Noah is trying to be a good partner during an entirely new phase in the couple’s bond — while also navigating exciting new milestones. “They’re still these very different people making a life together. And while there’s no kind of crisis in the relationship this season, they’re still trying to figure out how to make a life together because they approach things differently,” says Foster. “There’s still a learning curve.”
The O.C., Jennifer’s Body, Ready or Not
It’s a season of growth for Morgan, Joanne’s sister and co-host of their Nobody Wants This podcast. At the end of Season 2, she’d broken off an engagement, and now, with her sister firmly ensconced in a relationship of her own, it’s time for Morgan to find her place. In Season 3, she navigates the prospect of becoming a thought leader and possible author.
“It feels right that Morgan, at this juncture in her life, would be like, ‘OK, how can I become something bigger than I am?’” says EP and co-showrunner Bruce Eric Kaplan.
As Morgan’s career is on the rise, her romantic life enters a complicated zone. In Season 3, she’s forced to question what her connection with Sasha — who she’s long had chemistry with — really is.
Succession, Mr. Mercedes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Sasha is Noah’s older brother. And now that his wife, Esther, has asked for a separation after years of marriage, Sasha is starting to ask — for the first time in a while — what he wants out of life.
“Sasha really doesn’t want to go out there,” says Foster. “But then he starts to gain momentum and starts to have fun experiences and realizes there’s more out there.”
Veep, The Handmaid’s Tale, Don’t Worry Darling
Esther asked Sasha for a separation in Season 2 so that she could go on a journey of self-discovery — and that’s exactly what she does in Season 3. She finds an exciting new connection with the wealthy Julian. But she also deals with her own insecurities and foibles as a newly single mom.
“Esther starts out so excited about the possibilities,” says Foster. “[But] it’s hard to be a mom in her 40s on a dating app. It’s like, ‘Wait a second, there’s not all these amazing guys better than my husband out there waiting for me.’ It doesn’t feel good.”
Julian may just be the antidote to the Tinder blues.
GLOW, Best Leftovers Ever!, A Futile and Stupid Gesture
Henry is Joanne and Morgan’s kooky dad, who has embarked on his own post-divorce dating journey. So when Sasha finds himself newly single, Henry is more than happy to offer some unconventional — and questionable — advice for navigating bachelorhood.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, EXmas
Lynn is Joanne and Morgan’s supportive — if slightly capricious — mom. She’s a “weird, weird witch of a mom,” as Morgan lovingly phrases it. This season, Lynn takes particular interest in Sasha and Morgan’s evolving relationship.
Uncoupled, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
Ilan is Noah and Sasha’s dad. He loves his wife and his family — and does his best to support Sasha on his new journey as a bachelor.
The Wire, The Irishman
Bina is the loving — if intimidating — Roklov matriarch. She’s Noah’s mother, and Joanne has always wanted to impress her. Bina has always seemed skeptical of Joanne’s place in the Roklov family. But things start to change in Season 3. As Joanne begins her conversion to Judaism, she starts to wonder whether Bina represents the traditional rebbetzin she should aspire to be. Bina even gives Joanne a makeover to help her appear ready to be a rabbi’s wife. But Joanne ultimately realizes that the best version of herself is simply herself.
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 premiere. And this season, Ashley takes on the role of Morgan’s manager, trying to secure her a book deal for her viral advice.
Good Trouble, Joy Ride
As the teacher for an Intro to Judaism class at the temple, Rabbi Eden is a comforting — if sometimes comically critical — voice in Joanne’s big transition to the Jewish faith.
School of Rock, Wreck-It Ralph
Joanne’s nemesis in the Intro to Judaism class, Sebastien plants seeds of insecurity in Joanne about the future of her relationship. Still, these two simply cannot stop hanging out.
Girls, Book of Mormon, Too Much
Surprise! It’s a cameo role from the show creator herself. She plays a chaotically messy fan of Joanne’s podcast who almost derails Noah’s big romantic gesture.
The O.C., Barely Famous
A wealthy divorced Angeleno, Julian is a new prospect for Esther, who’s exploring what it means to be single after her separation from Sasha.
Wings, Chicago Med
A fellow student in Joanne’s conversion class, Amber makes it known right away that she’s eager to find a Jewish husband of her own.
The Studio, Abbott Elementary
Joanne’s hard-to-impress former boyfriend, Travis moves next door — and quickly becomes a thorn in the side of both Joanne and Noah.
56 Days, Our Hero, Balthazar
Poppy is Sasha’s dating app match, and she isn’t quite sure they’re really a match. Poppy also isn’t too shy to let him know.
English Teacher, Lessons in Chemistry
A young psychic who gives Morgan a reading that Morgan promptly interprets however she wants — particularly as it pertains to her dream of becoming a bestselling writer. But Denise’s reading may ultimately have more to do with Morgan’s heart than her mind.
Roommates
The martini-swilling publisher aunt of Sebastien meets with Morgan to discuss her idea for a book, only to be thoroughly unimpressed with Morgan’s lackadaisical approach. Eleanor used to work with Joyce Carol Oates, after all!
Deli Boys, Lanterns
The iconic sitcom creator and LA restaurateur makes a cameo as Noah’s cousin, whose unexpected appearance prompts Noah to rethink the wedding guest list. And foodie Angelenos with a sharp eye will spot a special little Rosenthal-related Easter egg: Noah and Joanne visit Rosenthal’s real-life restaurant, Max and Helen’s, earlier in the season.
Somebody Feed Phil, Curb Your Enthusiasm, BoJack Horseman
