Kristen Bell has garnered acclaim with her recent Emmy nomination for her role in the new series Nobody Wants This, but her career took flight with her unforgettable performance in Veronica Mars. Created by Rob Thomas, the show debuted on September 22, 2004, and featured Bell as a high school student turned private investigator, grappling with the murder of her best friend, Lilly. The show also starred Jason Dohring, Percy Daggs III, and Enrico Colantoni, with Amanda Seyfried appearing in a recurring role as Lilly.
In a reflection on the show’s 20th anniversary, Bell shared how Veronica Mars was pivotal in shaping her identity and acting abilities, describing it as “the hardest job” she had ever undertaken due to the physically demanding nature of the long shooting hours before union regulations were firmly in place.
Veronica Mars ran for three seasons on UPN and the CW, followed by a successful eight-episode revival on Hulu in 2019. A feature film, funded through a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $5 million, was also released in 2014. Notably, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ventured into television writing with the revival, calling the experience “dizzyingly wonderful.”
Following Veronica Mars, Bell showcased her talent in series like The Good Place and returned to television with Nobody Wants This, which focuses on the dynamic of an interfaith romance between an agnostic podcaster, played by Bell, and rabbi Noah, portrayed by Adam Brody. This series has already made a significant impact, earning three Emmy nominations, including Best Comedy Series, along with acting nominations for both Bell and Brody.
“I’ve never gotten a response to any show I’ve ever been a part of like this show,” Bell expressed, anticipating the return of the series for a second season in October.
Bell’s journey from Veronica Mars to her Emmy-nominated role in Nobody Wants This showcases her growth as an actress and her ability to tackle complex characters, and it highlights the potential for innovative storytelling within the television industry. The positive reception of Nobody Wants This reflects a broadening landscape where diverse narratives can resonate with audiences, offering hope for the future of serial storytelling.