I didn’t write for about three years earlier than I wrote the pilot for “Nobody Wants This.” Not a single web page of something. Once I met my now-husband, Simon, I used to be about to show 36 and I had simply completed engaged on a pilot that I wrote for Fox referred to as “Daddy Issues.” It had been an enormous challenge for me, and after it obtained shot, after which not picked as much as collection, I wanted a bit break. In that point, my sister and I began another enterprise ventures. We labored for the relationship app Bumble, we began investing in firms, and writing obtained additional away from me. So after I met Simon and we fell in love and began our relationship, I didn’t really feel emotionally able to dive again into my writing mind, the place I normally dissected every part tragic and comedic about my relationship life. This relationship felt completely different. I wished to guard it. Additionally, I didn’t actually know what to put in writing about. There was nothing humorous about being within the first wholesome and reliable relationship of my life. There was nothing entertaining about our profitable dates or my household loving him. I puzzled if possibly the faucet had run dry, if the saying was true: being pleased shouldn’t be inspiring.

When folks requested what I did for a dwelling, I might inform them “I’m a writer,” as a result of that’s what I at all times wished to be, and I had been a author previously, and my medical health insurance was via the Writers Guild. That made it really feel very official. However after I mentioned it, I felt like a fraud. I most definitely wasn’t writing something. I might get up in the midst of the evening with terrifying ideas that may solely come to you in your sleep — that I had performed nothing with my life professionally. That I used to be formally a loser with an exquisite boyfriend.

So my fantastic boyfriend proposed to me in August 2018, and I mentioned, “Yes, of course.” We determined to throw a New 12 months’s Eve wedding ceremony, which meant we had 4 months to plan. This meant that I didn’t have lots of time to transform to Judaism earlier than the marriage. This was one thing that got here up casually the primary time Simon and I ever frolicked. He said clearly that he would want to marry somebody Jewish, and I made a psychological observe: Let him know, additionally very casually, that I’m obtainable to transform. All my buddies rising up in L.A. have been Jewish. They make nice husbands, I knew all about it. Signal me up. I’m 36 years previous in L.A., and a fantastic man with a full head of hair and no selfies in entrance of personal planes desires to marry me. So I discovered a temple that had an eight-week course. I used to be hooked on the first assembly, the place the rabbi informed us that he anticipated us to take the category collectively. He mentioned that these courses weren’t for me to learn to be Jewish for Simon. They have been for us to take collectively to determine how we wished our marriage to look and the way we wished our family to really feel. To determine what we cared about and what we disagreed on. As soon as once more, signal me up.

Kristen Bell and Adam Brody in “Nobody Wants This.”

(Stefania Rosini / Netflix)

It was in the midst of conversion courses after I was telling my supervisor and producing accomplice, Oly Obst, in regards to the fascinating folks I used to be assembly there and the way completely different everybody’s tales have been. Then he checked out me and mentioned, “That’s a show.” I completely agreed with him however puzzled who would write it, since I had forgotten the best way to write. We cobbled collectively a tough pitch for twentieth Century Fox, a studio I had labored with earlier than that had at all times supported my concepts. They purchased it within the room. Each time I talked in regards to the concept, folks appeared to click on into it very simply. Falling in love later in life, two folks from completely different worlds attempting to make it work. Jewish, non-Jewish. It appeared clear.

Once I lastly sat down to begin writing it, I used to be so nervous. I used to be optimistic I had misplaced my contact. No probability I nonetheless understand how to do that. However after just a few dusty runs at just a few scenes, it began to come back to me. I wished to create a male lead who was heat and humorous and sincere and romantic, somebody who may deal with a powerful and complex girl. A pair who we’d actually imagine could possibly be collectively in the actual world. I wished to inform the story of all of the fascinating issues that occur in a great relationship and the way onerous it may be to be with somebody who desires to be with you too. It grew to become so clear who these two folks have been and what related them.

As soon as the pilot was lastly written (and it wasn’t quick), we took it out to promote it. Each. Single. Community. Handed. Each considered one of them! Cross. Cross. Cross. Cross. “We don’t see where it goes.” “There’s not enough conflict.” “It feels small.” I used to be about to go again to Loserville. Time to brush up on the recipes I had realized throughout COVID. We simply had one final pitch to Netflix. A pipe dream. I used to be so dejected by that time, I didn’t even let myself get nervous in regards to the response, as a result of I used to be prepared for the final and remaining rejection. However … spoiler alert, they purchased it! I used to be formally an actual author.