YOUR WEEKLY BINGE: Nobody Wants This

While the latest incarnation of Sex and the City may have tarnished the brand a little bit, there’s no denying that the original series which aired on HBO from 1998 to 2004 deserves to be in the pantheon of television, an all-timer combination of writing and performances that will no doubt stand the test of time. Given its level of success and popularity, it has naturally spawned many imitators over the years and inspired an entire genre of sexy comedies for adults, but no other series has been able to come as close to its tone and vibe until now.

For anyone that has missed Sex and the City as much as I have, I give you Nobody Wants This, a series with all the wit, relationship drama, female bonding and journeying through the dating hellscape that Sex and the City offered, but with—gasp—more romance. But, thankfully, the same amount of alcohol.

The series is called Nobody Wants This and it’s on Netflix, and it stars Kristen Bell as a somewhat shallow podcaster who falls in love with a sweet but unconventional rabbi, played by Adam Brody. It’s a classic star-crossed romance, done with panache and humor, anchored by the charm and chemistry of Bell and Brody. It’s very L.A.-centric, as it’s shot and set in Los Angeles (those who know Eagle Rock will be very much at home) and is incredibly laid-back and depicts one of those only-in-Hollywood fantasy lands where nobody is ugly and nothing is bad, but giving yourself into it is part of its magic. The New York of Sex and the City ignored all the bad things, too, it’s LA’s turn to be perfect, darn it.

But what really is perfect is the writing and the casting. Creator and showrunner Erin Foster (music producer David Foster’s daughter, who no doubt brought some first-hand experiences to the story) assembled a pitch-perfect cast, including Justine Lupe, who we all loved as Willa from Succession, and Timothy Simons, who we all loved as Jonah on Veep, and the incomparable Tovah Feldshuh, who we all loved as every defense attorney opposing Jack McCoy on Law & Order, just to name a few.

But it is Brody and Bell who will steal your heart, taking us into a romance that is complicated when it should be, making us care when it matters, and earning every moment when they are on screen together. Bell has never been better and does all the heavy lifting, all at once reminding you of Sarah Jessica Parker and then leaving her far behind in the dust with her layers, nuance and actual acting skill. Oh, and take note: this is how you make an audience fall in love with a narcissistic character.

So, whether you miss Sex and the City or are just looking for a romantic comedy with everything going for it, look no further than Nobody Wants This on Netflix. I have a feeling everybody wants it.

The first season of Nobody Wants This is currently streaming on Netflix. It has been renewed for a second season.