The Netflix hit romantic comedy “Nobody Wants This” has found itself at the center of an intense political controversy off-screen, as cast members clash over Jewish identity and the war in Gaza. Following the premiere of the show’s third season, veteran actress Tovah Feldshuh has strongly pushed back against remarks made by her co-star Adam Brody regarding Israel’s military actions.
Brody, who stars in the series as progressive Los Angeles rabbi Noah Roklov, ignited a fierce backlash in September when he accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza during an interview with GQ. “Put me down as thinking it’s a genocide,” Brody stated during the interview, adding that he wanted a free Palestine.
The comments drew immediate condemnation from prominent religious figures. Steve Leder, senior rabbi emeritus of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles—who previously worked on the show as a rabbinical consultant during its first season—described Brody’s remarks in an Instagram video as truly shocking and disgusting.
Feldshuh, who portrays Bina, the strong-willed Soviet émigré mother of Brody’s character, offered her own sharp assessment of the controversy. Referring to accusations of genocide directed at Israel, Feldshuh called the framing “wild” and compared the rhetoric to historical propaganda. She argued that such claims invert victim and perpetrator roles.
While Brody’s remarks specifically targeted Israeli military conduct following the Hamas-led October 7 attacks rather than Jewish people collectively, Feldshuh maintained that airing such accusations carries broader communal consequences. Although she did not explicitly name Brody in her remarks, she noted that individuals with large platforms who propagate such claims inflict significant damage on the community. She also emphasized her belief that the continued existence of the state of Israel remains essential to the free and democratic world.
Addressing the political climate more broadly, Feldshuh warned of what she described as a horseshoe effect, arguing that political extremes are attempting to converge. She maintained that countering these narratives requires steadfastly speaking what she considers to be the truth against cleverly publicized detractors.
Despite their deep political differences, Feldshuh noted that tensions rarely spill over onto the production set. Her approach, she explained, is to set politics aside and focus on her professional responsibilities, maintaining an environment rooted in kindness and mutual affection among the cast.
The political debate surrounds a series that has already drawn scrutiny regarding its depiction of Jewish characters. Earlier seasons faced criticism from some viewers who argued that Jewish women in the show were portrayed as overly controlling or uptight compared to their non-Jewish counterparts. Feldshuh defended her character, Bina, attributing her intense behavior not to simple rigidity, but to maternal overprotection and historical context.
Feldshuh linked heightened anxiety among Jewish characters to generational trauma and the persistent fear of extinction, viewing it as an understandable aspect of Jewish history rather than a character flaw. Her career has frequently intersected with prominent Jewish matriarchal roles, including portraying former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the Broadway production “Golda’s Balcony,” as well as motherly roles in television projects such as “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “Scenes from a Marriage.”
Against the backdrop of rising global antisemitism, Feldshuh expressed deep pride in her latest role. She affirmed that playing a devoted Jewish matriarch has become a source of personal honor during a challenging cultural moment.
