Often the serenity of a couple’s relationship is put to a stern test by family intrusiveness: for example, this happens quite frequently in Nobody Wants This, TV Series, distributed for streaming on Netflix starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, which tells the story of Noah and Joanne, who must fight to nurture their love, hindered not only by differences in faith and the way they think, but also by a very present family with clear ideas about the perfect partner. Or at least that’s what happens in Noah’s home: his mother Bina disapproves of Joanne and makes that clear in every possible way. The couple in this case becomes a family affair, personal boundaries disappear and relatives believe they have the right to comment on every single choice. Family intrusion is a compelling theme that is frequently explored in series, and Nobody Wants This is certainly not the only one: here are three other stories that recount what it means to survive in a family with little or zero privacy.
The best TV series about intrusive families to catch up on if you loved Nobody Wants This
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Set in the challenging world of 1950s New York stand-up comedy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a TV series acclaimed by audiences and critics that has won several major recognitions such as three Golden Globes and seven Emmy Awards and tells the story of Midge Maisel who decides to reinvent herself. Fed up with her role as a housewife, she decides to try her hand at a comic voice. Everything begins by chance: one night, after discovering that her marriage is over, Midge takes the stage improvising a stand-up show, recounting what happened with her husband. The success is immediate and, despite the industry’s and gender’s challenges, Midge climbs one rung after another season by season. A bit like in Nobody Wants This, Midge’s (Jewish) family is nosy and far too present, even more so when Midge ends up living back with them while trying to make ends meet, forced to endure judgments about herself and her marriage and to protect her profession. The series, comprising five seasons, is available for streaming on Prime Video.
Brothers & Sisters – Secrets and Passions
As one might easily infer from the title choice, family is central in Brothers & Sisters – Secrets and Passions. A family drama aired from 2006 to 2011 and available for streaming on Disney+ with five seasons, it tells the story of the Walker family, forced to handle certain situations after the death of the patriarch William, which occurred during daughter Kitty’s birthday. Following his disappearance, the siblings must manage various tasks but are always supported by their mother Nora. Yet what seemed like an idyllic family conceals dark and heavy secrets that threaten to destroy everything. Over time, years of lies and financial difficulties emerge, as well as a second, hidden family. The protagonists are the siblings Kitty, Sarah, Tommy, Kevin, and Justin, each dealing with their own lives, all adults and pursuing careers, yet always aided and guided by their mother, a constant presence.
Never Have I Ever
Coming-of-age series starring teenager Devi Vishwakumar, Never Have I Ever is a creation by Mindy Kaling available for streaming on Netflix that chronicles Devi during the most delicate years of her growth. Devi is 15 years old and has lost her father after a tragic accident, and she is forced to endure her mother’s strict rules while trying to become someone and, above all, to fall in love. Her mother does not approve Devi having a boyfriend, but fortunately the girl can count on the help of other female family members such as cousin Kamala and grandmother Nirmala. As in the previous stories, privacy does not exist in this family either: Nalini wants to do her best to help her daughter, but at the same time exerts a strong control over her life, crossing all possible boundaries, from reading her secret diaries to confiscating her smartphone, actions that are hardly tolerated by a teenager.
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