When Adam Brody and Kristen Bell filmed what was meant to be “the greatest kiss of all time” for their Netflix show Nobody Wants This, the reality behind the romantic moment was far more practical than passionate. Brody recently shared his amusingly blunt recollection of shooting the intense scene, contrasting sharply with the onscreen chemistry that has captivated audiences.
The hit romantic comedy, which debuted its second season on October 23, 2025, stars Bell as Joanne, an agnostic podcast host, and Brody as Noah, a rabbi, navigating the challenges of an unlikely relationship. Their undeniable onscreen connection has been a significant factor in the show’s success, spending six consecutive weeks on Netflix’s Top 10 list and garnering multiple award nominations.
Behind the Scenes of the “Best Kiss”
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Brody was asked about filming the memorable first kiss sequence between their characters in Season 1. His response was surprisingly straightforward.
“Honestly, not much really,” Brody said of his recollection. He explained that despite the script describing it as “the best kiss of all time or at least the best kiss of their lives,” the actual filming process was businesslike.
“I mean, it does say something hyperbolic in the description, like, it’s the, you know, the best kiss of all time or at least the best kiss of their lives. But, that said, you know, we’re filming it. We have an hour to shoot it. Who knows if it’ll ever be seen? So no pressure. Just take your time.”
The kiss occurs in Episode 2 of the first season, after Joanne and Noah initially believe a relationship between them might not work. Their chemistry becomes undeniable during a passionate kiss that leaves no doubt about their connection.
Creating Onscreen Chemistry
In a separate interview with Harper’s Bazaar, both actors revealed they were initially nervous about filming the significant kiss, given the high expectations set by the script.
“We were both so nervous!” Bell admitted, with Brody adding, “There also just happened to be paparazzi right there too, kind of getting it all. That was also a little disconcerting.”
Despite the pressure, the actors developed a strategy to create the romantic tension. Bell explained they focused on building anticipation rather than the kiss itself.
“I think what’s clear to both of us is that the butterflies and the heart palpitations live in the anticipation; the lead-up is so much more romantic than the actual kiss. Adam, didn’t we do a couple takes where one of us was like, ‘Let’s just make it doubly as long—not the actual kiss, but the lead-up’? Like, ‘Let’s just stretch out staring at each other for as long as we possibly can before we feel like we really should have wrapped already.’”
Brody noted that an unscripted moment made the kiss feel more authentic: “That, to me, feels so organic, true to life—the first time you’re making out with somebody, and it’s so great and you don’t want to say goodbye, and it’s like you’re kissing until the last second.”
A Trusted Professional Partnership
While their onscreen romance appears effortless, both actors emphasize their strong professional relationship built on years of collaboration. They previously worked together on the second season of Showtime’s House of Lies and the 2013 film Some Girl(s).
Bell told Kelly Clarkson that she trusts Brody completely, a sentiment that was particularly important when they had to film a sex scene while she was eight months pregnant. Brody humorously refers to that scene as “our threesome,” a joke Bell said she doesn’t want her daughter to hear.
“He brings something weird and awkward and funny and wonderful and unexpected to every scene, which I really enjoy, but I also trust him completely,” Bell said of Brody. “So, to be honest, when I was really pregnant and had to, like, mount him, I was just like, ‘Well, morning!’ He made everything very safe and comfortable.”
Bell compared their dynamic to a “sibling relationship,” noting “We get along really well, but we also argue like crazy.”
The Show’s Success Story
Nobody Wants This has become an unexpected success after a challenging first season production. The show faced significant behind-the-scenes difficulties, including scrapped episodes, last-minute scripts, and conflicting creative visions among producers.
Creator Erin Foster, who based the series on her own experience converting to Judaism for her husband, found herself constantly fighting for her vision. “There were a lot of different visions,” Foster recalled. “I just kept saying, ‘Guys, please trust me.’”
That trust paid off when the show became a cultural phenomenon after its September 2024 debut. The series spent six consecutive weeks on Netflix’s Top 10 list and received 57 million views by the end of the year, earning nominations at the Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Writers Guild Awards.
Brody noted the show’s impact: “The fact that I saw pictures of Halloween costumes feels like the benchmark of cultural penetration.”
Second Season Developments
The second season, which premiered on October 23, 2025, continues to explore Joanne and Noah’s relationship as they work to merge their different lives and families. The supporting cast includes Justine Lupe as Joanne’s sister Morgan, Timothy Simons as Noah’s brother Sasha, and Jackie Tohn as Sasha’s wife Esther.
This season also introduces Brody’s real-life wife, Leighton Meester, who plays the middle school nemesis of Bell’s character.
For Season 2, the production behind Nobody Wants This stabilized significantly. Veteran producers Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan were brought in to co-run the series, helping to create a more cohesive working environment.
The series continues to be praised for its nuanced take on modern relationships, exploring questions of compromise, faith, and whether the challenges of a relationship make it worth pursuing despite genuine connection.
Also Read: Nobody Wants This Creator Erin Foster Confirms Season 2 Moves Beyond Her Real Life
