Nobody Wants This creator Erin Foster is speaking out about her leading man, Adam Brody, and his recent public remarks regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, offering a nuanced perspective on how political disagreements are handled within the creative ecosystem of their hit Netflix series.
During an upcoming appearance on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, hosted by Amanda Hirsch, Foster was asked directly about how she felt regarding Brody’s previous comments concerning the ongoing war in the Middle East. The inquiry follows a September profile with GQ in which Brody, who stars in the romantic comedy series as Rabbi Noah Roklov, expressed his political views and voiced support for “a free Palestine.”
Addressing the situation publicly, Foster emphasized that creative teams and television sets often mirror the diverse viewpoints found at dinner tables around the world, where robust debate, discussion, and eventual disagreement are normal parts of human interaction. While acknowledging her affection for the Emmy-nominated actor, she made it clear that their political differences do not overshadow their professional relationship or the core mission of the series.
"You know, it’s complicated. I think our work environment, our set is very similar to dinner tables around the world where people are having debate and discussion and disagreeing," the series creator said during the podcast recording. "While I love Adam, I also disagree with him, and that’s okay."
Foster went on to elaborate on the foundational purpose of Nobody Wants This, underscoring her commitment to her audience, particularly Jewish viewers navigating a complex global climate. As the creator of a show that centers heavily on Jewish identity, interfaith romance, and cultural traditions, Foster stressed that the series was conceived as a celebration of Jewish life rather than a vehicle for tackling geopolitical crises.
"I think that as the creator of the show, all I can say is that I want our Jewish fans to know that I see you and I hear you and I understand how you feel," Foster continued. "And the show has always been and always will be a love letter to Judaism. That is why I made this show. It’s because of how beautiful of an experience I’ve had becoming Jewish and being a Jewish person, and sitting here right now at this time in the world where there is almost zero positive representation of Jewish people, I think it’s so important to have that."
She concluded her thoughts on the matter by reiterating that individual artists and creators maintain the right to hold personal viewpoints that diverge from her own, while firmly restating the intentional boundaries she established for the narrative.
"That being said, everyone is entitled to a different opinion than me. I can just tell you what I created this show for, what the intention of the show is," Foster noted.
The dialogue surrounding Brody’s political stances gained widespread attention following a September profile in GQ, where the actor, widely known for his breakout role in The O.C., discussed his views on contemporary Hollywood, political activism, and the shifting social climate within the entertainment industry. When asked by the interviewer whether he believed Hollywood had grown more conservative, Brody answered affirmatively and pointed to global and domestic events that have surfaced hidden ideological divides.
"I guess outspokenly so, yes. … Between COVID, a second Trump term, Israel-Gaza, it’s really brought out some different beliefs that I was ignorant to, and then disheartened by," Brody said during the interview.
When the conversation shifted specifically to the Israel-Gaza war and how it has influenced his public messaging, Brody clarified that while his commentary on public platforms has been limited, his private convictions are firmly held. Asked directly if he wished to share his perspective on the topic, the actor responded candidly.
"Truthfully, it hasn’t. I have spoken a lot about it privately. I haven’t spoken much about it publicly," Brody explained, before adding, "Put me down as thinking it’s a genocide. Put me down as wanting a free Palestine."
Elaborating further on the humanitarian toll of the conflict, Brody expressed deep sorrow over the prolonged violence and voiced a desire for structural and political shifts in leadership to alter the trajectory of the crisis.
"It’s awful that it’s taken so much death and misery, but it does feel like it’s reaching a breaking point that it should have a while ago," he added. "I’m hopeful that another administration can really do some good and correct some of these policies that are helping that situation be as awful as it is."
Foster’s recent podcast comments align closely with sentiments she shared in an August interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where she discussed the deliberate choice to keep Nobody Wants This focused on romance, comedy, and cultural bridge-building rather than incorporating international conflicts into the storyline. At the time, she reflected on the creative discussions that took place behind the scenes following the October 7 attacks in Israel.
"It was really important to me and continues to be really important to tell positive Jewish stories. I know that it can be polarizing, but it shouldn’t be. This is not the show to tackle conflict in Israel and Palestine," Foster said in August.
"I’m not the person to tell that story," she added. "And after [the attacks on] Oct. 7 happened, there were conversations around if we were going to dive into it, and the truth is, the way that I can get my message across best is by shedding a positive light on Jewish characters and Jewish traditions. I don’t think somebody watching wants to see another voice give you their opinion on what’s happening."
The public conversation surrounding the series and its cast comes at a pivotal moment for the Netflix romantic comedy. Nobody Wants This officially released its third season on the streaming platform, continuing the beloved dynamic between Brody’s Rabbi Noah and Kristen Bell’s character, Joanne. The series has continued to draw critical acclaim and commercial success, bolstered by Brody’s standout performance, which earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2025 alongside a Critics Choice Award for best comedy actor that same year.