Adam Brody Says Steamy Kiss With Costar Kristen Bell Was Scripted as 'the Greatest of All Time' (Exclusive)

The actor, aka the 'Hot Rabbi' in Netflix's hit series 'Nobody Wants This', is featured in PEOPLE's 2024 Sexiest Man Alive issue

It was the kiss felt 'round the world.

Almost two decades after Adam Brody first captured hearts as Seth Cohen on The O.C., the actor, 44, is now reigning supreme as Jewish heartthrob Noah Roklov, aka the “Hot Rabbi” in Netflix’s hit series Nobody Wants This.

The father of two and husband to his wife of 10 years, actress Leighton Meester, 38, admits he had no idea how much the role would get so many fans schvitzing. “I knew that we had something that worked, but I had no idea the sort of wide swath of people that would enjoy it. That has been an absolute pleasant surprise,” says the actor. "I’ve been doing this a long time, and it doesn’t happen often, whoever you are. So it’s very gratifying and exciting."

As for how he feels about his new moniker, Brody says, "I mean, the short answer is good. But I’m truly not called it all that much to my face. That’s mostly happening elsewhere online, so it’s like it’s happening to another person," allows the actor who is featured in this year's PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive issue. "But I’m not mad at it."

Related: How Did Leighton Meester and Adam Brody Meet? All About Their Romance — and Why Brody Was 'Smitten' From the Start!

When he read the script describing the first kiss between Noah and his costar Kristen Bell’s Joanne, Brody recalls, "I’m paraphrasing, but it said something to the effect of, “It’s the greatest of all time.'"

"'Put your ice cream down,' 'put the bag down' was in there. I think 'he touches her face.' I mean, I’m just happy that I got to be part of an apparently memorable kiss. it’s a very cinematic thing."

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It’s also not getting him out of any honey-do chores at home: “No. I can’t say it’s improved my status, but they treat me well here, so I have nothing to complain about.” Even though he's raised the bar on romance? “Ah, well, everything I do, I learn from my wife.”

Season 1 of Nobody Wants This is now streaming on Netflix.