‘Nobody Wants This:’ Justine Lupe On Emmy Talk Being ‘The Icing On The Cake’ [VIDEO]

In Netflix’s super funny hit series Nobody Wants This, created by Erin Foster, Justine Lupe plays Morgan Williams, the somewhat devoted sister of Kristin Bell’s Joanne. The sibs are relationship podcasters who are also trying to navigate their own complicated dating lives. Agnostic Joanne has been seeing Rabbi Noah (Adam Brody) and at the end of season one, feeling pressure to convert to Judaism, Joanne breaks it off with Noah.

But the two just can’t quit one another so they’re back together in season two, facing many of the same issues. Morgan remains cynical about the couple and continues her friendship/flirtation with Noah’s married brother, Sasha (Timothy Simons). She also bonds with Noah’s tough-ass mom, Bina (Tovah Feldshuh). And in episode three, Morgan introduces everyone to the new man in her life, Dr. Andy (Arian Moayed), who happens to be her (former) therapist. This does not sit well with Joanne, and the sibs are soon, once again, on the outs.

For the rest of the season, Morgan has quite an interesting arc where she must lose herself, in a way, to come to certain necessary realizations.

Lupe is a wacky and conflicted delight as Morgan, who is that splendidly schizophrenic mix of egotistic diva and approval-seeking little girl. Lupe deftly manages to give Morgan so many shadings on her tumultuous season two journey.

The actress appeared in a number of films (Not Fade Away, Frances Ha) and TV shows (Harry’s Law, The Good Wife, Younger) before gaining prominence on the celebrated Emmy-winning TV shows The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Succession, for which she shared the SAG Drama Series Ensemble Award with her cast, two years running.

Last year, Nobody Wants This was nominated for three major Primetime Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actor and Lead Actress. This year, Lupe and some of the supporting players are also, rightly, in the Emmy conversation.

The Contending had a delightful VIDEO chat with Lupe.