Timothy Simons spent seven seasons making audiences laugh as Jonah Ryan in HBO’s Veep, but his latest role is taking him into unfamiliar territory. In Nobody Wants This Season 3, Simons plays Sasha Roklov, a character navigating life after separation while discovering that a close friendship might be turning into something much more complicated.
The season gives Sasha a new emotional challenge, but his developing relationship with Morgan (Justine Lupe) is not exactly a straightforward romantic comedy. What begins as an unexpected possibility eventually leads to a significant moment in New York, raising questions about friendship, family connections and whether two people can pursue their feelings at the right time.
Spoiler Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for Nobody Wants This Season 3, including Episode 7 and the season finale.
Timothy Simons’ New Role in Nobody Wants This Is a Major Change From Veep
For audiences familiar with Timothy Simons, his performance as Jonah Ryan in Veep provides an interesting point of comparison.
Simons played the ambitious, insecure and frequently offensive political operative throughout the HBO comedy’s entire run. The series lasted seven seasons and 65 episodes before concluding in 2019, establishing Jonah as one of its most recognisable comic characters.
Created around the fictional political world of Vice President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Veep followed the absurdities of American politics and the people working within it. Jonah eventually became a political figure himself, running for president before becoming Meyer’s running mate in the final season.
His character was defined by arrogance, ambition and an extraordinary lack of self-awareness. His behaviour frequently made him the subject of the joke.
Sasha Roklov, however, gives Simons a different kind of character to explore.
Introduced as the older brother of Noah Roklov (Adam Brody), Sasha has gradually developed his own storyline alongside Noah’s relationship with Joanne Williams (Kristen Bell). While the central couple remains important to the series, Sasha’s personal life has become increasingly significant.
By Season 3, he is dealing with the aftermath of his separation from Esther (Jackie Tohn) and facing the unfamiliar experience of dating again.
The interesting part is that the series does not suddenly transform him into a polished, confident romantic lead. His awkwardness remains part of his personality.
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Why Timothy Simons Found Sasha’s Romantic Storyline Uncharted Territory
Simons has openly discussed how different it felt to approach a storyline in which audiences are expected to see his character as a romantic possibility.
During an appearance on Obsessed: The Podcast, the actor reflected on his previous experiences with romantic scenes and how they were generally intended to produce laughter or discomfort.
“If I have ever been asked to kiss someone in something leading up to this, the desired response was, ‘That’s funny,’ or ‘Oh, that’s gross,’” Simons said. “So this is uncharted territory for me.”
That experience helps explain why Sasha’s romantic development represents such an interesting change.
Jonah’s behaviour in Veep was often deliberately uncomfortable, with his arrogance and insecurity providing much of the comedy. Sasha, on the other hand, is allowed to experience vulnerability without losing the personality that makes him entertaining.
Simons appreciated that the writers did not require the characters to become completely different people simply because romance had entered the story.
“I do like that ultimately that they wrote it in such a way that wasn’t like, all of a sudden, we had to start being different people,” he explained. “And I think it was one of the things that made me sort of comfortable with it.”
He also explained that a conventional romantic-comedy approach might have made the experience more uncomfortable.
“But because it was, ‘OK, well, what is the weirdo version of a romantic comedy that these two people would do,’ it felt more natural,” Simons said. “I was much less scared of it because of that, because it was like, ‘Oh, this is like a little bit of a funhouse mirror romantic lead thing.”
That creative decision becomes particularly important as Sasha and Morgan’s friendship develops into something neither initially knows how to navigate.
Sasha and Morgan’s Friendship Takes a Different Direction in Season 3
The possibility of a romance between Sasha and Morgan is not a completely new development.
Their friendship had already been established during the first two seasons, giving the third season an opportunity to explore what happens when their circumstances change.
Sasha is now separated from Esther, while Morgan is experiencing significant professional developments as her podcast becomes increasingly successful.
Both characters are entering different stages of their lives.
For Sasha, dating again means confronting experiences he did not expect to face after his marriage. Morgan, meanwhile, is balancing her professional ambitions with questions about what she wants personally.
Their friendship remains important, but an unexpected attraction begins complicating the relationship.
There is another reason their potential romance is particularly complicated: Morgan is Joanne’s sister, while Sasha is Noah’s brother.
Consequently, their decisions could affect the wider family dynamic. Joanne and Noah are already working towards a more serious future together, meaning Sasha and Morgan cannot necessarily treat their relationship as something completely separate from everyone else.
Netflix’s Season 3 preview highlighted this complicated situation, describing how the two friends begin confronting feelings neither had previously acknowledged.
Season 3 Gives Sasha Roklov More Room Beyond Noah and Joanne
Although Joanne and Noah remain the central couple, Season 3 gives Sasha and Morgan additional space to develop independently.
Joanne and Noah begin the season in a comparatively stable stage of their relationship. Following the uncertainty that characterised parts of Season 2, they move in together and experience the everyday milestones associated with building a shared home.
Sasha and Morgan are facing almost the opposite situation.
They are not an established couple trying to maintain their relationship. Instead, they are friends attempting to understand whether their connection is changing.
Sasha must also adjust to life outside his marriage, including dating apps and unfamiliar experiences. Netflix’s Season 3 material describes him discovering possibilities he might not have considered while married to Esther.
However, this is not presented as an effortless transformation. Sasha remains awkward and uncertain as he tries to understand what he wants.
Esther also faces the unfamiliar experience of dating again after the separation, ensuring that her storyline continues alongside Sasha’s developing feelings for Morgan.
The New York Trip Changes Everything for Sasha and Morgan
One of Season 3’s most important developments arrives in Episode 7, when Sasha and Morgan travel to New York.
Morgan is visiting the city for an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, and Sasha accompanies her.
Away from their usual surroundings, the two characters get an unusual opportunity to spend time together without the immediate complications of their everyday lives.
Simons described the instalment as having the qualities of a bottle episode. The creative team also wanted to capture something of the romantic atmosphere associated with Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise.
Taking place largely over a single day, the episode concentrates on Sasha and Morgan’s interactions and the growing tension between them.
The New York setting provides some distance from their family connections and the other relationships shaping their lives. It also allows the characters to confront feelings that have been developing beneath their friendship.
Eventually, the tension leads to a kiss.
Netflix’s interview with Simons and Lupe confirms that the pair consummate their developing romantic tension in Episode 7. However, the moment does not immediately establish a straightforward relationship.
Instead, it introduces another layer of uncertainty.
Timothy Simons and Justine Lupe Were Worried About Their Romantic Chemistry
The transition from friendship to romance also required both actors to approach their physical comedy differently.
Simons and Lupe were conscious that their established awkwardness could become particularly noticeable during romantic scenes.
Lupe explained that neither actor had previously been cast as a romantic lead in a role so heavily focused on a relationship.
Simons’ comments about his earlier romantic scenes also became part of their conversation, with the actor joking about how audiences had generally been expected to respond to his previous on-screen kisses.
Lupe described their concerns about the physical awkwardness of the scene with humour.
“We were deeply concerned that we would look like muppets looking out with just a bunch of limbs,” Lupe said.
That exchange captures the approach behind Sasha and Morgan’s relationship. The show does not attempt to turn them into conventionally glamorous romantic characters.
Their awkwardness remains part of their connection, allowing the romance to develop without abandoning the qualities audiences already recognise.
Why Sasha and Morgan’s Kiss Does Not Solve Their Relationship Problems
The New York episode creates a turning point, but the consequences become apparent almost immediately.
After their night together, Morgan leaves New York without Sasha.
According to Lupe, Morgan’s reaction is connected to the realisation that pursuing the relationship could have wider consequences. Sasha is her sister’s partner’s brother, making the situation more complicated than an ordinary romantic development.
Rather than immediately working through those complications, Morgan retreats.
After returning to Los Angeles, Morgan eventually tells Sasha that her feelings are genuine, but he rejects the possibility of pursuing a relationship. He explains that he does not feel emotionally safe taking that risk so soon after the end of his marriage, particularly when Morgan is his close friend and future sister-in-law.
Sasha also has to consider what his feelings mean and whether acting on them immediately would be the right decision.
Importantly, Simons has explained that Sasha’s separation from Esther was not motivated by an interest in Morgan.
During his Netflix interview, he specifically addressed the circumstances surrounding the marriage.
“Sasha doesn’t leave Esther because he’s interested in another person,” Simons said. “He didn’t even want to leave his marriage.”
He also described the separation as emotionally healthy, even though it remains painful for both characters.
“There is a maturity to the way the show tries to deal with adult relationships,” Simons said. “The reason that Esther and Sasha are not together is actually a good and emotionally healthy reason. It sucks for Esther and it sucks for Sasha, but it’s not an icky thing.”
This distinction matters because Sasha and Morgan’s relationship is not simply a conventional love-triangle storyline.
Sasha’s marriage had already reached its turning point before his feelings for Morgan became something he needed to confront.
What Happens to Sasha and Morgan by the Season 3 Finale?
By the end of Season 3, Sasha and Morgan’s situation remains unresolved.
Esther discovers their encounter, adding another complication to the relationships surrounding them.
The situation becomes even more complicated when Sasha and Esther sleep together in Episode 10, despite their separation. Esther subsequently discovers Sasha’s New York encounter with Morgan, while Morgan learns that Sasha also slept with Esther. The revelations intensify the conflict between the characters and leave their relationships unresolved.
Simons believes Sasha might have been ready to pursue something with Morgan immediately if she had not left New York.
“I do think Sasha would have said yes to a relationship,” Simons said.
However, he also described Sasha’s eventual position as a more mature understanding that something can feel right without necessarily being right at that particular moment.
“This might be right, but it’s not the right time,” he explained.
That leaves Sasha recognising his feelings while understanding that the circumstances surrounding them cannot simply be ignored.
Lupe also discussed the importance of Morgan eventually telling Sasha how she feels. Although she is frightened by the implications of their connection, she does not ultimately retract those feelings.
The season therefore leaves their relationship in a complicated emotional position rather than providing an uncomplicated romantic resolution.
Timothy Simons Says Playing Sasha Has Not Made Him a Real-Life Heartthrob
Simons also discussed the audience’s response to his changing screen persona during his conversation with The Daily Beast.
The discussion included a lighter question about whether playing Sasha had changed how people responded to him personally.
Simons joked that his direct messages had not suddenly been flooded with romantic attention.
He suggested that audiences understand the distinction between Sasha and the actor portraying him, while continuing to joke about his physical awkwardness.
His comments reinforce the way he approaches the character. Rather than treating Sasha’s romantic storyline as a transformation into a conventional heartthrob, Simons appears to appreciate that the character can remain recognisably awkward while experiencing a serious emotional connection.
That is also what separates Sasha from the typical romantic-comedy lead.
Nobody Wants This Season 3 Expands Its Cast and Storylines
Sasha and Morgan’s relationship is part of a wider expansion of the series.
Morgan’s podcast career becomes increasingly successful, with Netflix describing her as moving towards becoming an almost media sensation. The creative team has also highlighted the competitive dynamic between Morgan and Joanne.
Meanwhile, Joanne and Noah continue building their everyday life together, while Esther adjusts to dating after her separation from Sasha.
The season also introduces several new performers.
| Actor | Season 3 role or appearance |
| Andrew Rannells | Sebastien, Joanne’s nemesis in conversion class |
| Sarah Silverman | Rabbi Eden, involved with Joanne’s Judaism conversion class |
| Keyla Monterroso Mejia | Major recurring addition |
| Avan Jogia | Guest star |
| Poorna Jagannathan | Guest star |
| Sadie Sandler | Guest star |
| Stephanie Koenig | Guest star |
| Steven Weber | Guest star |
| Erin Foster | Cameo |
These additions join the existing ensemble led by Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, while Simons, Lupe and Tohn continue developing the supporting storylines.
The expanded cast gives the series more opportunities to explore different experiences of adulthood, relationships and personal growth without abandoning Joanne and Noah’s central story.
Nobody Wants This Season 3 Release Date and Streaming Details
All 10 episodes of Nobody Wants This Season 3 began streaming on Netflix on October 22, 2026.
| Detail | Information |
| Series | Nobody Wants This |
| Season | Season 3 |
| Release date | October 22, 2026 |
| Episodes | 10 |
| Streaming platform | Netflix |
| Sasha Roklov | Timothy Simons |
| Morgan | Justine Lupe |
| Esther | Jackie Tohn |
| Noah Roklov | Adam Brody |
| Joanne Williams | Kristen Bell |
| Major relationship turning point | Episode 7, New York |
The season opens with Joanne and Noah moving in together, while Sasha and Esther navigate dating after their separation. Morgan’s professional career also continues developing as her friendship with Sasha takes an unexpected direction.
By Episode 7, their connection reaches a major turning point in New York. The consequences continue into the finale, leaving both characters to confront the complicated reality of their feelings.
For the Reacher Susan Turner Series
The complicated relationship between Sasha and Morgan shows how supporting characters can develop storylines that eventually become important beyond a series’ central pairing. A similar expansion of a supporting character’s story is discussed in our Susan Turner Reacher spin-off report.
Conclusion
Timothy Simons’ performance as Sasha Roklov marks a notable change from his seven-season run as Jonah Ryan in Veep. However, Nobody Wants This does not achieve that contrast by turning Sasha into an entirely different person.
Instead, the series allows his awkwardness and uncertainty to become part of a vulnerable romantic storyline. His separation from Esther, growing connection with Morgan and complicated family circumstances give him a substantial arc in Season 3.
For Sasha and Morgan, the New York kiss is a turning point rather than an easy resolution. Their feelings are real, but the timing and consequences remain complicated. That combination gives Simons an opportunity to explore a different side of his screen persona while keeping the character recognisably himself.
Source and Research Disclaimer: This article has been prepared based on thorough research of the sources provided below, including Netflix Tudum, the Television Academy and The Daily Beast. All dates, character details, cast information and attributed statements reflect the information available in those sources at the time of writing. The article does not imply independent verification beyond the supplied source material.
Sources
- Netflix Tudum: Nobody Wants This Season 3 Now Streaming
- Netflix Tudum: Nobody Wants This Season 3 Preview and Story Details
- Netflix Tudum: Justine Lupe and Timothy Simons Discuss Morgan and Sasha
- Netflix Tudum: Nobody Wants This Cast Guide
- Television Academy: Veep Series and Cast Information
- The Daily Beast: Timothy Simons on Sasha and Nobody Wants This
Featured Image Credit: Netflix
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