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A relatively recent Netflix original hit has been “Nobody Wants This,” a romantic comedy that premiered in 2024. The series stars Kristen Bell and Adam Brody as a perfect pair in a mismatched love story, with their two characters trying to make their burgeoning romance work. The show wisely leans into its lead actors’ considerable on-screen charisma and comedic chops, while bringing a healthy dose of drama into the proceedings. Fortunately, as we wait for the “Nobody Wants This” Season 3 premiere at Netflix, there are plenty of romantic dramedies to keep us occupied.
From sitcoms to more noticeably dramatic fare, we’re highlighting our favorite shows that venture into similar subject matter and tones as the hit Netflix series. These shows feature largely older main characters than the 20-somethings that often populate television rom-coms, finding love in all the wrong places. In contrast to more saccharinely sweet romantic comedies, there is a bit more of a cynical edge to these particular love stories. Here are the 10 best TV shows like “Nobody Wants This” that fans should add to their watchlist next.
New Girl
When it comes to quirky personalities, few romantic sitcoms of the past 15-odd years do it better than “New Girl.” The 2011 series opens with 30-something Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel) moving in with a group of guys in a shared Los Angeles apartment. As the show progresses, the ensemble each find love in their own time while figuring out what they really want from life. It’s that distinction that earns “New Girl” a spot here, with its characters already into their 30s and making the decisions that will inform the rest of their lives.
That all said, “New Girl” isn’t particularly existential in how it goes about developing its intertwined character arcs. This is a screwball sitcom on network television first and foremost, with each of the characters’ foibles fueling the laughs. But by featuring slightly older characters than fresh-faced 20-somethings, there is a maturity juxtaposed with those last acts of youthful exuberance, grounding the stakes. Skip the “New Girl” episodes towards the end of the series when the show is spinning its wheels and you’re in for a relatable good time.
The Mindy Project
A contemporary of “New Girl” that also features a 30-something protagonist trying to find love in the big city, “The Mindy Project” debuted in 2012. Created by and starring Mindy Kaling, the show centers on Mindy Lahiri (Kaling), an obstetrician/gynecologist living and working in New York City. Much of the show’s six-season run has Mindy looking for love in all the wrong places, with an impressive line of guest stars playing would-be suitors. For the first four seasons, much of this romantic tension revolves around her co-worker Danny Castellano (Chris Messina), with the character occasionally resurfacing in the final two seasons.
From her work on shows like “The Office” and “Never Have I Ever,” Kaling has always provided a fresh voice to the sitcom scene. Those qualities carry over to “The Mindy Project,” bolstered by Kaling’s center stage performance as its protagonist. The show brings a steadily increasing amount of heart to the proceedings as Mindy goes through the rollercoaster ride of her life and colorful personalities in it. “The Mindy Project” is a great showcase for Kaling’s talents, offering a nuanced depiction of 30-somethings trying to find their life partner as they settle into their careers.
You’re the Worst
The FX comedy “You’re the Worst” centers on dysfunctional seemingly casual couple Jimmy Shive-Overly (Chris Geere) and Gretchen Cutler (Aya Cash). Starting out as a fling coming out of a mutual friend’s wedding, the pair begin to actually form a romantic relationship, albeit not a wholly conventional one. The tone of the show veers into more serious territory after its first season, delving into why exactly Gretchen has such a self-destructive personality. But even as it mixes in more dramatic plot points and character arcs, the show wisely maintains just how hilariously flawed its characters are.
While certainly different from the core couple of “Nobody Wants This,” Gretchen and Jimmy share some similarities, especially their haphazard way of developing their relationship. Aya Cash delivers the standout performance of “You’re the Worst,” particularly as her character’s clinical depression is explored in the second season. But the show does keep to its comedic bonafides overall, even as it addresses this type of subject matter, right through to the series finale. A sharp takedown of conventional romantic comedies while providing its own twist on those tropes, “You’re the Worst” is an FX original that deserves more recognition years after its conclusion.
Catastrophe
No other country can quite do cringe comedy at the same level of caustic wit as the United Kingdom. Created by and starring Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, the two play Sharon Morris and Rob Norris, respectively, who strike up a seemingly casual romance before parting ways. Sharon notifies Rob that she’s pregnant, prompting him to return to her in London to become a couple and raise their child together. This sudden coupling is complicated by Sharon and Rob’s inner demons, including Rob’s struggle in maintaining his sobriety.
True to its title, “Catastrophe” can get quite dark in its plot developments and sense of humor as Sharon and Rob try to make their budding romance work. There is a raw honesty to the series as its core couple get to actually know each other after they’ve already married and had a child. The comedy is still there, but hard-earned with the laughs often coming from a more jaggedly vulnerable place. Placing audiences right in the middle of a couple doing their best, even with the haphazard start to their relationship, “Catastrophe” offers an unflinching look at its premise.
After making movies centered around flawed, funny, and relatable love stories with “Knocked Up” and “This Is 40,” filmmaker Judd Apatow explored similar themes with the Netflix original series “Love.” The 2016 dramedy stars series co-creator Paul Rust as Gus Cruikshank, a neurotic on-set tutor who endures a big break-up in the series premiere. Gus becomes enamored with Mickey Dobbs (Gillian Jacobs), who has her own struggles with addiction and being honest with herself and others. The three-season show chronicles the rocky relationship that the couple embark on together, addressing and overcoming their issues to come out as a harmonious romance.
“Love” is one of the most underrated Netflix originals ever made, eschewing a flashy premise or production for something much more down-to-earth. The narrative is right in Apatow’s creative wheelhouse while Jacobs, in particular, has never been greater than in her starring role as Mickey. This is a show where the stakes and plot twists are always thoroughly messy, fueling both the humor and soul-searing revelations. Arguably Apatow’s strongest long-form television project to date, elevated by co-creator Lesley Arfin’s sharp writing, “Love” is well worth a watch.
Fleabag
Tonally, one of the closest shows to “Nobody Wants This” is the acclaimed British comedy series “Fleabag,” which premiered in 2016. Created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and based on her one-woman show, Waller-Bridge stars as the nameless protagonist, referred to simply as Fleabag. Throughout the series, Fleabag goes on a whole line of romantic shenanigans while trying to reconcile herself with the rest of her family. There is that British tendency for cringe comedy but also a genuine amount of heart as we get to better know the characters and what they’re each enduring.
“Fleabag” is a sitcom without a single bad season, though it admittedly helps that the show only ran for two seasons by design. Within the span of 12 episodes, Waller-Bridge was really able to craft a story of her hapless character rediscovering her self-worth and growing through it. This makes those amorous mishaps, most notably between Fleabag and a priest (Andrew Scott) in Season 2, all the more funny and endearing. Phoebe Waller-Bridge gave us one of the best TV protagonists of all time with her titular character in “Fleabag” and those two seasons complement each other wonderfully.
Insecure
Speaking of exceptional creative voices able to expertly alternate between dramatic and hilarious qualities in their performance, Issa Rae deserves to stand alongside Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Rae co-created and stars in the HBO original series “Insecure,” which is based on her self-produced webseries “Awkward Black Girl.” Rae plays Issa Dee, who prepares to enter her 30s while taking her life and career to the next level. In contrast to most self-assured television protagonists, Issa is humorously awkward in her social interactions, though this fuels the show’s dramatic elements as well.
“Insecure” stands as one of the best HBO sitcoms ever made and that really comes from Issa Rae’s contributions as an actor and major creative voice behind the camera. The show is the story of redefining what happiness and success means once you settle into life and that extends to romantic relationships. These themes are articulated well as Issa Dee really finds out who she is as someone progressing deeper into adulthood. With “Insecure,” come for the awkward gags and stick around for its tale of how to mature on your own terms.
Business Proposal
We’ve been big fans of K-dramas, South Korean scripted television, for years and so many shows coming out of the country happen to be romantic dramedies. This includes the 2022 workplace comedy “Business Proposal,” an essential K-drama for beginners coming to the wide world of Korean television. The show revolves around office worker Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong), who discovers that her impromptu blind date is with her CEO Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop). Initially unaware of Ha-ri’s employment, Tae-moo makes her an offer to pose as his fiancée to appease his grandfather who wants to see him get married.
So many romantic comedies from South Korea revolve around modern Cinderella stories, albeit with Prince Charming swapped out for a handsome corporate heir. “Business Proposal” certainly qualifies in following this narrative pattern, a romantic ruse that leads to genuine love blossoming between its main characters. On a more serious note, the show also details the perils of dating in modern Korean culture, including digital voyeurism, informing its dramatic elements. One of the best K-dramas ever made, “Business Proposal” brings cross-cultural laughs through its slapstick comedy and visible chemistry between its lead actors.
Platonic
After working together on a pair of “Neighbors” movies, Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne reunited for the Apple TV original series “Platonic.” Byrne stars as Sylvia, who learns through social media that her former best friend Will (Rogen) is getting divorced. Sylvia decides to reconnect, though this makes her husband Charlie (Luke Macfarlane) jealous of the time that they spend together. The show explores what friendship between opposite genders means in one’s 30s and 40s, and all the foibles of what entails in professional and personal lives.
Both Rogen and Byrne have really found a home on Apple TV for their respective television projects and “Platonic” is no different. The two share an easygoing chemistry that makes for much of the show’s charm, both in the humor and its dramatic moments. And while the laughs are certainly present, this is the most grounded project that Rogen and Byrne have worked on together, emphasizing emotional stakes and the comedy in everyday situations. “Platonic” has been renewed for a Season 3 at Apple TV, meaning fans can expect to see more of Sylvia and Will navigate their complicated friendship in the future.
Survival of the Thickest
Stand-up comedian and author Michelle Buteau adapted her memoir “Survival of the Thickest” into a Netflix original series of the same name in 2023. Buteau stars as Mavis Beaumont, whose serious romantic relationship implodes in the series premiere, leaving her heartbroken and directionless. Rallying with her friends and family, Mavis decides to live her best life, embracing her own inner sensual self as she reclaims her power. With this more self-empowering approach, Mavis contends with those trying to diminish her body positive fashion designs while she finds love again.
While “Survival of the Thickest” has its protagonist regroup and move forward with a sense of self-worth she previously lacked, the Netflix show doesn’t make things easy for Mavis. There is a frank honesty to the show that powers it forward, from its handling of sex to body positivity. But Buteau makes her character’s struggles all her own, moving forward with a determined confidence in between bouts of a needed vulnerability. Another overlooked Netflix original gem, “Survival of the Thickest” is all about reclaiming your own narrative while in search of self-affirming love.
