‘Nobody wants this’ casting team about chemite tests and daring choices

Brett Greenstein and Collin Daniel van Greenstein/Daniel Casting are responsible for some of the most joyful ensembles of TV, from the Hulu comedy “Shrill” to “Never Have I ever” from Netflix. Silent, Daniel says that their newest project-de Netflix Rom-Com “nobody wants this” is a new experience. “It is the biggest hit show we have ever done, and it is exciting to see his worldwide success,” says Daniel.

Made by ER in Foster, the series plays Kristen Bell and Adam Brody as a seemingly non -about -handed couple – she is an agnostic host of a sex motto, he is a rabbi. Although the two immediate chemistry shares, they must overcome their differences and the skepticism of friends and family to navigate through the new relationship. Much of the show depends on the chemistry of the two leads, and Bell and Brody have previously worked together in the films “Scream 4”, “Chips” and “Some Girl (s)” and the “House of Lies” series. But the entire ensemble shines, by Justine Lupe (“Succession”) as Bell’s sister of Timothy Simons (“Veep”) as Brody’s brother. The show also combines veteran Broadway stars such as Tovah Feldshuh (Brody’s mother playing) to comedian Sherry Cola (as Bell’s Agent.)

Although Bell and Brody have previously worked together

Greenstein and Daniel have been working together for 20 years now and say that two heads are better than one in a cast space. “Casting is so subjective and to have two sets of eyes on an audition always helps with perspective,” Daniel notes. Does Greenstein adds: “We really respect each other’s opinions, and it is always great to talk about it when discussing our casting or other business decisions. We bounce well from each other and happy – usually – have a similar taste and vision.”

How have you become aware of “nobody wants this” and what do you forced to want to work on it?

Collin Daniel: Producers we had previously worked – Steve Levitan, Danielle Stokdyk, Oly Obst – cried us about an Erin Foster series for Netflix. Immediately after reading the pilot episode, we knew, we wanted the job and did everything to secure it. Knowing that you have a series with 10 episodes in the air is always a plus, and it is the best of the work to help create the world.

How much of the cast was already set, and what did you see as the top priority when completing the cast?

Brett Greenstein: Kristen Bell was attached and we knew that the priority would find Noah, because the show is really a biennial. We went through the regular casting process in search of Noah around the world. Kristen had said Noah is Adam Brody from day one. Once we were looking for a few months, we knew that Adam was the answer and she was more than good!

Daniel: We have exhausted all the other options of many auditions before we offered Adam. Some clips were put together where she and Adam had collaborated in the past. Everyone could see the chemistry immediately after viewing that and we made the offer to Adam.

So much of this show is about chemistry – have you read a chemistry with cast members?

Daniel: With Kristen and Adam on board we had the luxury to be able to read them towards other actors for the Morgan and Sasha roles. It is so important to be able to see the chemistry personally when casting and luckily we immediately saw it with Justine Lupe and Timothy Simons during their chemistry. We read quite a few actors against Kristen and Adam and sometimes the chemistry was just not there. They were great actors, just not good at this ensemble.

What was the most challenging role to play?

Greenstein: Probably the Sasha role. We read so many funny guys for that part and nobody was the right fit, so when we had Adam in the room to read with a few actors, we just knew it should be Timothy Simons. He and Adam just bounced out of each other so well, and it was a pleasure to see them improvising and having fun together. There is no better feeling when you see the chemistry in the room and just know that you have the right actor for the role.

If an actor is lucky to audition for you, what would you like they know? What is the answer to the eternal question “What are you looking for?”

Daniel: Be prepared, know the material and tone of the show for which you audition and it is ok to make strong, daring choices when it is a regular role. We want the actor to win and be suitable for the role. We appreciate it when actors make the role of their own role (without completely rewriting the parties). We always like a little improvisation or a button on a scene that puts your own stamp on it.

Greenstein: What we are looking for in an audition is a clear point of view, strong choices, in honor of the words on the page and someone who makes the role of himself. Often it comes to the right role for the right person at the right time. There are so many external factors that an actor -audition does not know that it will be included, they would look like someone else in the scene, they would be better in a different role, they are too long/too short for this role, etc. So we encourage actors to give their best shot, make it just because it is even because it is not the best audition ever.

Daniel: You never know, you may not be entirely right for this specific role. But if you do something that makes us go: “Hmmm … this person has something …” We will probably see you for a different role along the line.