The romantic comedy sensation Nobody Wants This has taken Netflix by storm, charming audiences with its witty dialogue, heartfelt romance, and the undeniable chemistry between Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. After a wildly successful first season that racked up over 26 million views in just 11 days, fans have been eagerly awaiting news about the show’s second season. Netflix has now confirmed that Nobody Wants This Season 2 will premiere globally on October 23, 2025, and with that announcement comes a slew of exciting cast updates, new faces, and a few surprises about who’s staying and who might be stepping back. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming season, from the confirmed cast to potential plot developments and why this show continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

A Quick Recap: Why Nobody Wants This Became a Hit

Nobody Wants This follows the unlikely romance between Joanne (Kristen Bell), an outspoken, agnostic sex-and-dating podcaster, and Noah (Adam Brody), a progressive rabbi dubbed the “Hot Rabbi” by fans. Created by Erin Foster and loosely inspired by her own love story with husband Simon Tikhman, the show blends humor, heart, and cultural nuance as it explores the challenges of an interfaith relationship. Season 1 introduced us to a colorful ensemble, including Joanne’s sister Morgan (Justine Lupe) and Noah’s brother Sasha (Timothy Simons), whose sibling dynamics added layers of comedy and drama. The season ended on a cliffhanger: Joanne, unwilling to convert to Judaism just yet, broke things off with Noah to avoid derailing his dream of becoming head rabbi. But Noah’s grand gesture in a parking lot—chasing her down for a passionate kiss—left fans hopeful for their future.

The show’s success lies in its fresh take on the rom-com genre, avoiding clichés while tackling complex issues like cultural differences and personal growth. With three Golden Globe nominations, including Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and critical acclaim for Bell and Brody’s performances, Nobody Wants This has cemented its place as a must-watch. Now, Season 2 promises to dive deeper into Joanne and Noah’s relationship while introducing new characters and conflicts that will keep viewers hooked.

Premiere Date and Production Timeline

Netflix announced the Season 2 premiere date during a lively cast event at the Emmys FYC event in Los Angeles on June 1, 2025. The cast, including Bell, Brody, Lupe, Simons, and Jackie Tohn, shared the news in a playful video featuring a custom Magic 8 Ball teasing plot points like iconic kisses and new romances. Filming for Season 2 began in early March 2025 in Los Angeles and wrapped by May, according to star Jackie Tohn’s Instagram post. This quick turnaround—similar to Season 1’s February-to-May 2024 filming for a September premiere—ensures fans won’t have to wait long to see Joanne and Noah back on screen.

Creator Erin Foster has hinted at a consistent release schedule, joking that the show could become a “Rosh Hashanah launch” tradition. In an interview, she revealed that the writers’ room opened weeks before the official renewal in October 2024, allowing the team to hit the ground running. With Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan (both Girlsalums) joining as showrunners, alongside executive producers Foster, Bell, and Nora Silver, Season 2 is poised to maintain the sharp writing and emotional depth that made the first season a hit.

Cast Updates: Who’s Staying, Who’s Joining, and Who’s Missing?

The big question on every fan’s mind: who’s returning for Season 2, and are there any shocking exits? Here’s a breakdown of the cast updates based on the latest announcements.

Returning Cast Members

The core cast is set to return, ensuring that the heart of Nobody Wants This remains intact. Confirmed returning actors include:

Kristen Bell as Joanne: The agnostic podcaster will continue navigating her relationship with Noah and her own personal growth. Bell has expressed excitement about diving deeper into Joanne’s backstory, promising “more complex issues” in Season 2.

Adam Brody as Noah: The “Hot Rabbi” is back, with Brody teasing that Noah’s journey will explore the balance between love and his career ambitions. His real-life chemistry with Bell remains a fan favorite.

Justine Lupe as Morgan: Joanne’s sister and podcast co-host will return, with hints of a blossoming romance. Lupe has teased that Morgan’s dynamic with Noah’s brother Sasha will stay “friendly” rather than destructive.

Timothy Simons as Sasha: Noah’s quirky older brother, whose oddball charm stole scenes in Season 1, is back. Simons’ comedic timing will likely shine in new family-centric storylines.

Jackie Tohn as Esther: Sasha’s wife, who was initially frosty toward Joanne, has been promoted from recurring to series regular for Season 2. Tohn has teased an exciting character arc, hinting at deeper exploration of Esther’s role in the family.

Supporting Ensemble: The extended cast, including Stephanie Faracy (Lynn, Joanne’s mom), Michael Hitchcock (Henry, Joanne’s dad), Tovah Feldshuh (Bina, Noah’s mom), Paul Ben-Victor (Ilan, Noah’s dad), Emily Arlook (Rebecca, Noah’s ex), Sherry Cola (Ashley, Joanne’s friend), and Shiloh Bearman (Miriam), are all expected to return, adding depth to the show’s family dynamics.

New Cast Members

Season 2 introduces a slew of guest stars, bringing fresh energy and potential conflict to the mix. The new additions include:

Leighton Meester as Abby: In a casting coup, Meester—known for Gossip Girl and married to Adam Brody in real life—will guest-star in one episode as Abby, Joanne’s middle school nemesis turned Instagram mommy influencer. Bell has praised Meester’s performance, calling her “fantastic” after their table read. Fans are buzzing about the potential for a juicy showdown between Joanne and Abby.

Miles Fowler as Lenny: Fowler (Bottoms) will appear in two episodes as Lenny, a teammate on Noah’s “Matzah Ballers” basketball team who gets set up with Morgan. His role promises to stir up romantic possibilities for Joanne’s sister.

Arian Moayed as Dr. Andy: The Succession alum joins as Dr. Andy, a charming psychotherapist who may also be a love interest for Morgan. His “highly regarded (particularly by himself)” persona suggests a comedic yet compelling addition.

Alex Karpovsky as Big Noah: Another Girls alum, Karpovsky will play Big Noah, an overly confident rabbi at Noah’s temple, potentially creating tension or mentorship dynamics with Noah.

Who’s Leaving?

Here’s the good news: no major cast members are confirmed to be leaving Nobody Wants This Season 2. Unlike some shows that shock fans with abrupt exits, the core ensemble appears intact, with all main and recurring characters from Season 1 set to return. The only notable change is behind the scenes, where showrunners Erin Foster and Craig DiGregorio have stepped down, handing the reins to Konner and Kaplan. Foster remains an executive producer, ensuring her creative vision continues.

However, there’s one minor casting shift from Season 1: Emily Arlook replaced Tania Raymonde in the role of Rebecca (Noah’s ex) before the first season premiered, and Arlook will continue in the role for Season 2. While not an “exit” per se, this recasting is worth noting for continuity. Additionally, some fans speculate that certain supporting characters, like Rebecca or Ashley, might have reduced roles depending on the story’s focus, but there’s no evidence to suggest anyone is leaving entirely.

Plot Expectations: What’s Next for Joanne and Noah?

While specific plot details for Season 2 remain under wraps, the Season 1 finale set up several threads that are likely to drive the narrative. Joanne’s decision not to convert to Judaism created a rift, but Noah’s choice to prioritize their relationship over his head rabbi ambitions suggests a new chapter for the couple. Foster has teased that Season 2 will “pick up where we left off” and take things slowly, avoiding rushed time jumps to let the relationship unfold naturally.

Key questions for Season 2 include:

Will Joanne Convert? Foster has hinted that Joanne’s potential conversion to Judaism will be a central focus, reflecting her own real-life journey. However, she’s also emphasized that Joanne is her own character, so the outcome isn’t guaranteed to mirror Foster’s story.

Noah’s Career vs. Love: Will Noah pursue the head rabbi position, or will he sacrifice his ambitions for Joanne? His grand gesture in Season 1 suggests he’s all-in, but external pressures—like his mother Bina’s disapproval—could complicate things.

Morgan’s Love Life: With Lenny and Dr. Andy entering the picture, Morgan’s romantic prospects are heating up. Will she find love, or will her “friendly tension” with Sasha lead to unexpected drama?

Family Dynamics: The addition of Abby, Big Noah, and others promises new conflicts. Abby’s history with Joanne could unearth old wounds, while Big Noah might challenge Noah’s role at the temple. Meanwhile, Esther’s expanded role as a series regular suggests more focus on the Roklov family.

The Magic 8 Ball video teased an “iconic kiss” and potential drama between Esther, Sasha, and Morgan, hinting at both romantic highs and interpersonal clashes. Foster has also addressed backlash about Jewish stereotypes in Season 1, promising to flesh out characters like Esther and Rebecca to show their strength and complexity, which could lead to richer storylines.

Why Everyone’s Talking About Season 2

Nobody Wants This Season 2 is generating buzz for several reasons. The rapid renewal—just two weeks after the September 2024 premiere—signals Netflix’s confidence in the show’s staying power. The addition of high-profile guest stars like Leighton Meester, coupled with the real-life connection to Brody, has fans speculating about on-screen chemistry and off-screen dynamics. The show’s ability to balance humor, romance, and cultural commentary continues to resonate, especially with millennial viewers nostalgic for Bell and Brody’s earlier roles in Veronica Mars and The O.C.

The creative team’s pedigree—now bolstered by Konner and Kaplan’s Girls experience—promises sharper storytelling, while Foster’s personal touch keeps the show grounded. Social media is abuzz with fans praising the quick turnaround (one X user marveled, “A show that has its second season released only a year after the first one?! I never thought I’d see that happen again!”). The promise of deeper character arcs, new romances, and a focus on “healthy relationships being the most romantic” (as Foster puts it) has viewers counting down to October 23.

Final Thoughts

Nobody Wants This Season 2 is shaping up to be a worthy follow-up to its breakout first season. With a confirmed premiere date of October 23, 2025, a stellar returning cast, and exciting new additions like Leighton Meester, the show is poised to deliver more laughs, tears, and swoon-worthy moments. While no major characters are leaving, the introduction of fresh faces and the promise of deeper exploration into Joanne and Noah’s relationship ensure that the stakes are higher than ever. Whether you’re rooting for Joanne to convert, Noah to become head rabbi, or Morgan to find love, Season 2 promises to keep you glued to your screen. Mark your calendars and get ready to fall in love all over again with Nobody Wants This.