Kristen Bell I was hoping to portray a different kind of love story Nobody Wants This.

Netflix’s latest hit is distinctly Romeo and Juliet quality — he’s an agnostic podcast host, she’s an unconventional rabbi — the Bell/Adam Brody show also carries the unconventional quality of two people trying to truly understand each other.

“The sweetest surprise about the response to the show has been that so many people have said they are grateful to see a healthy, communicative relationship on screen,” says Bell.

As Erin Foster’s fall show continues to generate excitement (it’s been renewed for a second season), Hollywood Reporter star and chatted about how he’s absorbing the phenomenon, reuniting with Brody, and what kind of Jewish-based research he’s doing.

What is your reaction to the positive reactions the series has received?

It’s hard to wrap my head around it. It was exciting to hear how many people enjoyed it. This is my main goal in any performance. Ultimately, I want people to have a nice escape when watching something I’m in, and I feel like this provides that for a lot of people.

Did you know the show was something special when you attended?

Yes, because I haven’t worked voluntarily in a while and I never know what I want to do next. I don’t have any big plans. I read things and looked for connections and thought the dynamic was very interesting and seemed like an endless cauldron of stories. In a rom-com there’s usually a lot of things you can work with, and given the fact that they come from very different backgrounds, something like this Romeo and Juliet The elements have been really modernized to keep it up to date and age related.

What initially attracted you to this role?

When I’m reading a pilot, I’m approaching it from the viewer’s A perspective, can I connect with this character? B, does this character have a very specific problem? And C, do I want him to figure it out? These are three of the questions I asked myself and they were all yes. I also really love supporting a female showrunner.

What was it like reuniting with Adam Brody after working together? House of Lies And Some Girl(s)?

I just know that he is a hard worker, a joy to be around, and a problem solver, so it was really a no-brainer. As I read the first few pages, it became clear to me that these characters were going to have some really great chemistry on camera, which I know Adam and I do, and that he was going to have to be extremely charming to keep you engaged. And this makes perfect sense.

What was it like working with creator Erin Foster and helping bring this series, based in part on her own relationship, to the small screen?

It’s a little annoying. I’ve never played (a real person) before. And I wasn’t sure where to start with this, so I spent most of my time during prep just observing him and trying to observe how he moves through the world and how he might be different rather than trying to pick up on his characteristics. of how I move through the world. And she uses that as a basis for Joanne because Erin is admirably confident, quite carefree and outspoken, but also vulnerable. There are a lot of paradoxes about Erin and that makes her really interesting.

What did you hope people would take away from the show?

I was hoping that people would walk away and think weeks later: Is love really just a story we’re told about finding the piece of the puzzle, or is it something much more subtle than that? Is this a choice you constantly have to make because you are constantly faced with it? And I think the second one, and I think the show has done a good job of saying that you can start with connection and chemistry, but there’s a lot that’s going to get in your way and you just have to decide what you’re willing to compromise on. It depends on how bad you want it.

It was also refreshing to see a positive relationship portrayed on television. Did this element initially attract you to the project?

I didn’t realize this until people started commenting on it because my perspective was coming entirely from inside Joanne’s head. I wasn’t paying attention to Noah’s behavior. I was thinking about Joanne’s missteps, Joanne’s anxiety, and Joanne’s determination. I wasn’t actually aware of this, but I will tell you that the sweetest surprise overall about the reactions to the show was how many people, especially women, said: “I’m so grateful to see a healthy baby. The communicative relationship that isn’t just a bunch of crazy, toxic behavior is depicted on screen.” “There are two people who are really trying.”

This series also contains many relatable moments. What was it like bringing these to the screen?

I have to give kudos to the writers room for this. But Adam and I also worked hard to make these characters very realistic, and that’s something Adam is particularly good at. One of his special features is that when you play with him, you feel like you are talking to a real person; You don’t feel scripted. So when I’m with Adam, I feel like a slightly different artist because he keeps me grounded.

You have appeared in many successful shows throughout your career. Does this feel different?

I have never received as much response to any program I have been a part of as this one. This is very uncharted territory for me. … You can do a really good project, but culturally or socially, at a time when people really want something like that, there’s a bit of fairy dust involved. And this was a time when people wanted a romantic comedy, so it hit the nail on the head.

Comparing original and IP content, the TV medium and this show prove that original ideas are still sought after by audiences. What do you say to this?

I think there is room for both, I really do. This also depends on the demographic you’re talking to, because sometimes I feel very comfortable and nostalgic watching a remake with my kids and want to introduce them to this movie. Sometimes I feel like I’ve seen it all and I want something new, fresh and crazy that I’ve never seen before. So I truly believe both can exist. I definitely think big companies think a little differently about this because intellectual properties tend to be tried and true, so I’m grateful that people are still trying their hand at new stories.

What is your response to those who criticize the series for its portrayal of “stereotypical” Jewish characters?

I really don’t think I deserve an answer. That’s up to the people hired to portray the Jews and work with the writers to create dimensional characters to comment on.

Even though your character isn’t Jewish, did you do any research on Judaism in general to help prepare for the show?

I didn’t have to. It’s not my share. Joanne was being exposed to Judaism, so that would actually be the antithesis of the work I was supposed to be doing. I will say that I grew up in an entirely Jewish community. I was one of only two non-Jews in my elementary and middle school neighborhood, so I had a pretty good education but I didn’t use any of it.

Do you have a favorite episode or scene to film?

I really loved shooting the fight scene with sibling Morgan (Justine Lupe). Even when they’re arguing, they’re usually on the same team because the sisters are so close and I really love that dynamic, but I like to break them down a little bit so you can feel deeper feelings for each of them. Also, Justine is an incredible scene partner. I love working with him and we really got to blast each other. And I remember that scene started with me knocking on the door saying, “Morgan, Morgan, let me in,” and we did that three or four times from the outside. I didn’t even realize it, but when I woke up the next morning, my entire hand was bruised from hitting the door.

Since then Nobody Wants This It’s already been renewed for a second season, what are you most looking forward to?
This is a bit misleading because my answer would be to see where the characters are taken, but then I went to the writers’ room and now I know. (laughing.) Overall I’m excited to do it all again. It excites me when people are filled with anticipation. There is nothing better for an artist or performer than knowing that what he is working on will be consumed and make people happy.

This story first appeared in the November standalone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To get the magazine Click here to subscribe.