Now in its third season, Nobody Wants This, Netflix’s hit series starring Kristen Bell as Joanne and Adam Brody as Noah, an unlikely couple finding love and making it work (she hosts a podcast about sex and relationships; he is a rabbi), is breaking new ground. After all, once the “will they, won’t they?” has become “they will,” what is left? Well, as anyone who’s in a relationship can tell you, there’s plenty more.
That’s where Jenni Konner, best known for her work on Girls, comes in; she joined as showrunner during the second season, helping expand the world and flesh out the characters around them.
Harper’s Bazaar‘s questionnaire series, “First, Now, Next,” dives into the past, present, and future of some of our favorite creatives, spotlighting the moments and influences that shaped them. Now that Nobody Wants This’s third season has dropped on Netflix, Konner shares the things she’s learned from the show and which Girls cast member she’d like to work with again.
What’s the first television show that cracked something open in you?
My So-Called Life cracked something in me creatively. Winnie Holzman touched on the truth of being a teenager in a way that really spoke to me. And of course Claire Danes was perfect.
Who was your first true friend in the industry?
I was lucky to have a writing partner, the great Ali Rushfield, walking in.
Have you had a failure that ended up changing your career?
I can’t think of one that changed my career but I have had many and after each you just get back up and start over and it usually makes you better.
What was the first project you worked on that made you take yourself seriously
Help Me Help You was a sitcom Ali and I created. We had the good fortune to work with Ted Danson, who is the most hilarious and kind human—tied only with Jen Garner.
Who was the first person to ever make you laugh really hard?
My parents. Hilarious people.
How did you define success at 16? How would you define it now?
Not failing out of high school (just made it). And now, this is so obvious, but working with great people, with clear unique voices, who are also kind.
What are you saying “no” to now? What are you saying “yes” to?
Saying no to working with assholes. We (my producing partner Nora Silver and I) vet the hell out of people we want to work with before we even meet.
Yes to working with my husband again. He directed my favorite bottle episodes of Girls and now he is directing my favorite bottle episodes of Nobody Wants This.
If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life and had to pull it out of your closet right now, what would you reach for?
Vintage Levi’s, great white t-shirt (shoutout to Denim Revival), the softest cashmere sweater and The Row loafers. I have been wearing some version of this since the ’90s.
How has Nobody Wants This changed you?
I have learned a lot about romance on screen from Erin Foster. She knows how to find the chills inducing, heart swelling moments and lean in to them.
What was the last thing you splurged on?
We are adding more bookcases to our living room because we need more space for our books (reading brag).
What is one thing you still refuse to spend a lot of money on?
Printers. You can buy the most expensive printer in the world and it still won’t work. Why can’t someone make a printer that works? Is that too much to ask in 2026?
What can we expect from Nobody Wants This season three? Are there any unexpected turns you can tease for the new season?
I can’t say much but I will share that Bruce Kaplan came in the first day of the room for season 3 and said “this season needs to be champagne.” And being a very skilled cartoonist (BEK of New Yorker fame) he drew a glass on the board. That has been our touchstone. So it’s fun and light and when we veered into too much darkness we always said: “That’s not champagne” and then pivot.
Now that Joanne and Noah are moving beyond the ambiguous stage of their relationship and moving in together, what new themes did you get to explore?
We delve into moving in together and getting used to living with someone. Turns out Joanne is not a fan of top sheets. We explore blending families. Higher relationship stakes. That all sounds a little rote but it’s very specific to Joanne and Noah.
How do you feel this breathes new life into the show?
Did it need more life?
What other characters are you most excited about exploring and expanding on in the new season?
Sasha and Morgan of course. Time to face the music.
If you could collaborate with anyone next, who would it be and why?
I will keep saying this in every questionnaire until I manifest it: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (if anyone reads this who knows her please tell her this is my answer all the time) Also, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, again, of course. They are both operating on the highest level.
If you could single-handedly dictate the next big trend in culture, what would it be?
I think everyone in this country should have to work in food service for a year. I learned to produce by waiting tables. It is all about communication and collaboration.
If you retired from your industry today, what would you do in your next act?
Probably [become a] supermodel.
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