10 Shows to Watch if You Loved Nobody Wants This

Every so often, a show comes along that feels like a breath of fresh, hilariously chaotic air. Nobody Wants This, the new romantic comedy starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, has immediately captured the hearts of audiences with its sharp writing, undeniable chemistry, and refreshingly honest take on modern love. The story of an "unlikely relationship between an outspoken, agnostic woman (Joanne) and an unconventional rabbi (Noah)" is a perfect recipe for a series that is as thought-provoking as it is riotously funny. It’s a show that proves that sometimes, the most magnetic connections are the ones that make the least sense on paper.

The immediate buzz for the series on social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest is a testament to our collective craving for smart, character-driven rom-coms. Viewers are celebrating the show’s witty, rapid-fire dialogue, the messy and relatable flaws of its protagonists, and the electric, slow-burn tension between its leads. It taps into beloved tropes—opposites attract, forbidden love, sharp-witted banter—and gives them a contemporary, nuanced spin. When the credits roll on the final episode, it’s natural to feel a void, a longing for another story that can deliver that same perfect blend of humour, heart, and intelligent romance.

This list is your curated guide to filling that void. We have compiled a collection of 10 incredible television shows that capture the unique spirit of Nobody Wants This. Each of these series features elements that fans of Joanne and Noah's story will adore, whether it’s the sharp, cynical humour, the exploration of faith and identity, the will-they-won't-they tension of an unlikely pairing, or the simple joy of watching two brilliant, complicated people fall in love. So, get your watchlist ready, because your next TV obsession awaits.

1. Fleabag

The Story: Created by and starring the brilliant Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag is a searingly funny and profoundly devastating portrait of a grieving, sharp-witted woman navigating life, love, and loss in London. She runs a struggling guinea pig-themed café, clashes with her dysfunctional family, and breaks the fourth wall to share her unfiltered, often hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking thoughts directly with the audience. The second season introduces a new challenge: she finds herself falling in love with a Catholic priest (Andrew Scott), who is as intelligent and witty as she is, and who is the only person who seems to truly see her.

Why You’ll Love It: If you were drawn to the sharp, cynical, and deeply vulnerable humour of Joanne in Nobody Wants This, then Fleabag is your essential next watch. The show is a masterclass in witty, rapid-fire dialogue and features a protagonist who uses comedy as a defense mechanism to mask deep-seated pain. The central romance of the second season is a stunning exploration of a forbidden love between a cynic and a man of faith, a dynamic that will feel deeply resonant to fans of Joanne and Noah. It’s a show that will make you laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh, a truly unforgettable viewing experience. The complex, character-driven narrative is a rare feat, a quality we also praised in our review of The House of Dragon.

Where to Watch: You can stream both seasons of Fleabag on Amazon Prime Video.

2. Catastrophe

The Story: An Irish schoolteacher, Sharon, and an American advertising executive, Rob, have a passionate, week-long fling while he is on a business trip in London. A few weeks later, she calls him to inform him that she is pregnant. Rob makes the impulsive decision to move to London to "do the right thing," and the two strangers are forced to navigate pregnancy, parenthood, and the chaotic, messy business of falling in love in reverse.

Why You’ll Love It: Catastrophe excels at showcasing an "unlikely relationship" in the most realistic and hilarious way possible. Much like Nobody Wants This, this show is built on a foundation of incredibly sharp, witty, and often brutally honest dialogue. Rob and Sharon are not idealized romantic leads; they are flawed, funny, and deeply relatable adults fumbling their way through a complicated situation. The chemistry between creators and stars Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney is electric and feels incredibly authentic. If you love the blend of cynicism and genuine heart in Joanne and Noah’s story, you will adore the pragmatic, hilarious, and ultimately deeply romantic journey of Rob and Sharon.

Where to Watch: All four seasons of Catastrophe are available to stream on Channel 4 in the UK and on

Amazon Prime Video in other regions.

3. You're the Worst

The Story: Jimmy is a narcissistic, self-destructive writer. Gretchen is a cynical, reckless PR executive. After hooking up at a wedding, they reluctantly decide to try and embark on a relationship, convinced that they are both fundamentally broken and "the worst" kind of people. The series follows their toxic, hilarious, and surprisingly profound attempts to navigate love, friendship, and their own significant mental health struggles, all while trying not to completely sabotage their own happiness.

Why You’ll Love It: This show is for viewers who were drawn to the messier, more complicated aspects of Joanne’s character. You're the Worst is an unflinching, dark comedy that subverts every traditional rom-com trope in the book. It’s a show that believes that even the most cynical, commitment-phobic people are worthy of love. The dialogue is razor-sharp and laugh-out-loud funny, but the series is also one of the most acclaimed and honest portrayals of clinical depression on television. If you appreciate a story that isn’t afraid to mix its romance with the gritty realities of mental health and self-sabotage, this is a must-watch. The show’s complex character studies are as compelling as those found in prestige dramas like The Sopranos.

Where to Watch: You can stream You're the Worst on Disney+ in the UK and on Hulu in the US.

4. The Mindy Project

The Story: Created by and starring Mindy Kaling, the series follows Dr. Mindy Lahiri, a successful OB/GYN who is obsessed with romantic comedies but whose own love life is a complete disaster. The show chronicles her hilarious attempts to find love, balance her demanding career, and navigate friendships with her quirky colleagues, most notably the grumpy but lovable Dr. Danny Castellano.

Why You’ll Love It: Mindy Lahiri is a spiritual cousin to Kristen Bell’s Joanne. She is outspoken, hilarious, and often her own worst enemy, but she has a huge heart. The Mindy Project is a vibrant, funny, and incredibly charming sitcom that is built on the foundation of classic rom-com tropes. The central will-they-won't-they romance between Mindy and Danny is a masterclass in the enemies-to-lovers (or more accurately, rivals-to-lovers) dynamic. The show is packed with witty one-liners and pop culture references, and its optimistic, heartfelt tone makes it the perfect comfort watch. For more on Mindy Kaling's work, you can explore her full filmography on IMDb. The joyful, funny, and heartwarming nature of the show is reminiscent of another office-based comfort watch we love, Ted Lasso.

Where to Watch: The Mindy Project is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

5. New Girl

The Story: After a bad breakup, the adorkable and quirky Jess Day moves into a loft apartment with three single men: the grumpy and aimless bartender Nick, the comically douchey but lovable Schmidt, and the intense former athlete Winston. The series follows this unlikely group of friends as they navigate their careers, their chaotic love lives, and the hilarious, messy, and heartwarming journey of becoming a found family.

Why You’ll Love It: If you love the blend of romance and strong ensemble comedy, New Girl is a perfect choice. The show is a masterclass in the found family trope, creating a cast of characters whose friendships feel genuine and deeply comforting. The central, slow-burn romance between Jess and Nick is a fan-favourite friends-to-lovers story that is both incredibly funny and deeply emotional. The show’s humour is quirky, witty, and often absurd, and its heartfelt moments are always earned. It’s a show that will make you feel good, a perfect low-stakes comfort binge for when you need a dose of warmth and laughter. The powerful theme of found family is also a cornerstone of the critically acclaimed series This Is Us.

Where to Watch: You can stream all seven seasons of New Girl on Disney+ and ITVX in the UK.

6. Starstruck

The Story: Created by and starring New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo, Starstruck follows Jessie, a millennial living in London and juggling two dead-end jobs. After a drunken one-night stand on New Year's Eve, she discovers that the man she slept with, Tom Kapoor, is a world-famous movie star. The series chronicles their hilarious, awkward, and surprisingly sweet attempts to see if their "unlikely relationship" could ever actually work, despite their vastly different worlds.

Why You’ll Love It: Starstruck is a modern, gender-swapped take on the classic rom-com Notting Hill, and it is an absolute gem. Jessie is a brilliantly written protagonist—funny, chaotic, and deeply relatable. The show perfectly captures the feeling of being a bit of a mess in your late twenties. The chemistry between Jessie and Tom is incredible, and their witty, fast-paced banter is some of the best on television. Like Nobody Wants This, it's a story about two people from completely different worlds trying to forge a genuine connection. It's a charming, hilarious, and incredibly romantic series that you will binge in a single weekend. The show’s fresh take on classic tropes is a delight, a quality we also celebrated in our review of the movie About Time.

Where to Watch: You can stream Starstruck on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Max in the US.

7. Crashing

The Story: Before she created Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote and starred in this one-season wonder. The series follows a group of twenty-somethings living as property guardians in a disused hospital. The story kicks off when Lulu (Waller-Bridge) impulsively moves in, complicating her relationship with her childhood best friend, Anthony, who is already in a relationship with the uptight and organized Kate. The series explores the messy, hilarious, and often painful love lives and friendships of this group of eclectic misfits.

Why You’ll Love It: This is the perfect watch for fans who want more of that raw, honest, and hilariously awkward Phoebe Waller-Bridge voice. Crashing is a brilliant exploration of messy relationships and the will-they-won't-they tension of a classic friends-to-lovers story. The characters are flawed, selfish, and deeply human, and their interactions are filled with the same kind of sharp dialogue and underlying vulnerability that made Fleabag a phenomenon. It's a quick, six-episode binge that is packed with laughs and genuine emotional insight into the chaos of modern dating. The complex relationships and morally grey choices will resonate with fans of shows that aren’t afraid to get messy, like Shameless.

Where to Watch: You can stream Crashing on Channel 4 in the UK and on Netflix in other regions.

8. Lovesick

The Story: After being diagnosed with chlamydia, Dylan must contact all of his previous sexual partners to inform them. Along with his best friends, Luke and Evie, he revisits his romantic past. Each episode is a flashback to a different relationship, allowing the series to explore Dylan's search for love in a non-linear, poignant, and often hilarious way. The central story, however, is the slow-burning, unspoken love between Dylan and his best friend, Evie.

Why You’ll Love It: Lovesick is one of the most underrated and cleverly structured romantic comedies of the last decade. The flashback format is a brilliant narrative device that allows for a deep and insightful exploration of relationships, heartbreak, and personal growth. The show is anchored by the incredible chemistry between the three leads, creating a perfect found family dynamic. The central friends-to-lovers romance between Dylan and Evie is a masterclass in slow-burn tension and heartfelt emotion. If you appreciate a smart, character-driven story with a unique structure and a whole lot of heart, Lovesick is an absolute must-watch.

Where to Watch: All three seasons of Lovesick are available to stream on Netflix.

9. The Good Place

The Story: Created by Michael Schur (The Office, Parks and Recreation), The Good Place follows Eleanor Shellstrop (played by Kristen Bell), a woman who, after her death, is mistakenly sent to a utopian afterlife reserved for the exceptionally virtuous. Realizing she’s been mixed up with someone else, she must hide her morally imperfect past and try to become a better person with the help of her assigned soulmate, Chidi, a perpetually indecisive ethics professor.

Why You’ll Love It: While not a traditional rom-com, this show is a must-watch for fans of Kristen Bell’s comedic timing and for anyone who loved the philosophical and ethical questions at the heart of Nobody Wants This. The Good Place is one of the most intelligent, funny, and surprising sitcoms ever made. It uses comedy to explore deep philosophical questions about what it means to be a good person. The slow-burn, opposites-attract relationship between the cynical Eleanor and the anxious, rule-following Chidi is one of the most endearing and well-developed relationships on television. The show's brilliant writing and incredible plot twists will keep you hooked. The journey of its characters towards becoming better people is a central theme, a narrative arc also celebrated in the series Andor.

Where to Watch: You can stream all four seasons of The Good Place on Netflix.

10. Master of None

The Story: Co-created by and starring Aziz Ansari, Master of None follows the personal and professional life of Dev Shah, a 30-year-old actor in New York City. The series explores his journey through modern romance, his career, and his relationships with his parents and friends with a unique blend of humour, style, and poignant realism. The first two seasons, in particular, chronicle his epic, on-again-off-again romance with Rachel and, later, Francesca.

Why You’ll Love It: Master of None is a beautifully crafted, cinematic series that captures the nuances of modern dating in a way that feels incredibly authentic. If you appreciate the way Nobody Wants This explores the intersection of culture, identity, and love, you will love this show. It’s a series that is both hilarious and deeply heartfelt, often in the same scene. The second season, set largely in Italy, is a stunningly beautiful and romantic piece of television that feels like a love letter to classic European cinema. It’s a smart, stylish, and thoughtful show for anyone who has ever felt a little lost in the search for love and meaning. The show’s sophisticated storytelling is on par with some of the best in television, a quality we always look for, as in our review of Succession. For more on the show's critical acclaim, you can visit its Rotten Tomatoes page.

Where to Watch: All three seasons of Master of None are available to stream on Netflix.

Conclusion

The magic of a show like Nobody Wants This lies in its ability to be both incredibly specific and universally relatable. It tells the story of an agnostic woman and a rabbi, yet it speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, questioned their beliefs, or fallen for someone who seemed completely wrong for them on paper. The ten shows on this list, in their own unique ways, tap into that same magic. They are stories that celebrate messy, complicated, and deeply human characters who are just trying to figure it all out.

They are a testament to the enduring power of the romantic comedy, a genre that, at its best, can be as insightful and profound as any drama. These shows remind us that love is often found in the most unlikely of places, that humour can be a powerful tool for healing, and that sometimes, the most romantic thing in the world is simply being seen and loved for exactly who you are. So, when you find yourself missing the world of Joanne and Noah, know that there are plenty of other wonderful, witty, and heartwarming worlds waiting for you to discover.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main appeal of shows like Nobody Wants This? The main appeal lies in the blend of sharp, intelligent comedy with a genuinely heartfelt, character-driven romance. Viewers are drawn to the "unlikely couple" trope, the witty banter, and the realistic portrayal of flawed, relatable characters.

2. Are these shows all romantic comedies? The majority are, but some, like You're the Worst and Fleabag, are often categorized as dark comedies or "dramedies" because they deal with serious themes like grief and mental health alongside the romance and humour.

3. I love the "forbidden love" aspect. Which shows have that? Fleabag is the most direct parallel, with its central romance between the protagonist and a priest. Crashing also features a complicated, almost-taboo romance between long-time best friends, one of whom is in a relationship.

4. Which of these shows has the best witty banter? While they all feature great dialogue, Fleabag, Catastrophe, and The Mindy Project are particularly renowned for their incredibly sharp, fast-paced, and hilarious banter.

5. Are these shows suitable for a binge-watch? Absolutely. Many of the shows on this list, especially Fleabag, Crashing, and Starstruck, have shorter seasons and are perfect for a weekend binge.

6. I'm looking for a show with a strong "found family" theme. Which should I watch? New Girl is the quintessential "found family" show, with the entire series built around the friendships in the loft. Catastrophe and Lovesick also feature fantastic, supportive friend groups.

7. Do all these shows have a happy ending? As is common with the rom-com genre, most of the shows on this list provide a satisfying, hopeful, or outright happy ending for the central couple. However, they all take a realistic and often messy path to get there.

8. Where can I find more information about the cast of Nobody Wants This? You can find full cast and crew information, as well as trivia and episode guides, on the show's official IMDb page.

9. Are there any podcasts that discuss shows like these? Yes, many pop culture podcasts dissect and celebrate romantic comedies. You can also explore the archives of That Love Podcast's What to Watch section for more in-depth reviews and recommendations.

10. I've seen all of these! What's a similar movie I could watch? If you're looking for a movie with a similar vibe, we highly recommend our review of About Time. It’s a British film that perfectly blends humour, heart, and a touch of the unexpected.