Ryan Hansen Talks Onscreen Romance with Melissa Rauch's Abby Stone in Night Court

Ryan Hansen, known for his nearly 100 acting credits, recently joined the Night Court cast for season 2, episode 9, titled "Taught and Bothered." In this episode, he portrays Jake, a Human Resources representative who clashes with Abby due to the court's questionable workplace behavior. Fans may also remember him as Dick Casablancas from Veronica Mars, a role he played for 55 episodes.

Aside from his role on Night Court, Hansen reunited with the Party Down cast for the 2023 revival. His recent projects include appearances in The Christmas Classic, Ricky and Morty, and Three Women. In addition to his acting gigs, he has been busy filming the cooking show, Dad Dinner, for his YouTube channel. The main cast of Night Court features Melissa Rauch, India de Beaufort, Nyambi Nyambi, Lacretta, and John Larroquette.

Ryan Hansen's Character in Night Court Allowed Him to Portray the Voice of Reason

Ryan Hansen looking confused in Night Court. - Ryan Hansen's Night Court Character Gave Him A Chance To Play The Voice Of Reason

Screen Rant: I have to start off by asking you if you were a fan of the original Night Court series.

Ryan Hansen: I believe the original show started in 1984, when I was three years old. It ran for a long time. I was familiar with the show, but I don't think I was allowed to watch it as a child due to my conservative upbringing. I did watch some episodes later in life, though.

Playing the voice of reason in a sitcom like this was interesting because the court setting is not as professional as a typical workplace. Your character was the first to bring attention to this. How did you find portraying this role?

Ryan Hansen: Acting is a blast for me because I get to portray various characters. I'm not the voice of reason; I'm the one who likes to push boundaries and get a little quirky. So, playing a character who is all about being politically correct and focused is a fun change for me. Usually, I'm the one stirring things up and getting everyone to shape up.

Your character certainly causes chaos, especially during the sensitivity training scene. Can you tell us about filming that particular scene?

The future of Jake and Abby's romance remains uncertain.

Ryan Hansen shared his excitement about working with the whole cast, including his favorite actor, Gary Anthony Williams. He mentioned how funny everyone is, especially John and Melissa. Being a part of a scene with the entire cast goofing off was a blast for him. However, he also felt intimidated as it was his first big scene with seasoned actors who already had a great chemistry on set. Despite the nerves, Ryan's main focus was on delivering his lines accurately.

Abby and Jake kiss in Night Court 209. - The Future Of Jake And Abby's Romance Remains Uncertain

Most of your scenes are with Melissa Rauch, so how was working together?

Ryan Hansen had nothing but praise for his co-star. He described her as a powerhouse, incredible, a boss, and the friendliest, coolest chick he had ever worked with. Despite only meeting her once or twice during his time on 2 Broke Girls, he found her to be welcoming and fun to get to know.

Off camera, they bonded over parenting experiences. Ryan has three kids, while his co-star has two. He appreciated how she made him feel comfortable and welcomed on set, as it's not always the case when working on a show. Despite everyone having their own vibe, she made sure he felt at ease and confident in his work. Ryan truly admires and loves her for that.

Abby is usually very non-confrontational. She wants everyone to get along, but your character pushes her buttons. Did you enjoy getting to bring out that side of her?

Ryan Hansen: It was great. It's so fun to see her get spicy and stuff. Like you said, she's trying to keep the peace. She's the judge. To see her match me and be combative about every little thing I said was awesome. She's like, "I got this under control," and I'm like, "No, you don't." But that's sexual tension. That was very, very fun. It's always fun to have that flirty banter. I like that stuff.

Your characters have amazing chemistry on screen, and the way the episode wrapped up got me thinking about the possibility of you coming back to explore that relationship further.

Ryan Hansen: I'm curious about that too. It's like, "What's next?" There's a lot of potential with these characters. I'm looking forward to the chance to film more episodes and work with that team again.

Working With The Night Court Cast Is Like A "Big Hug"

Ryan Hansen leading a workplace seminar in Night Court. - Working With The Night Court Cast Is Like A "Big Hug"

I have filmed in front of a live audience a couple of times before. You may recall That's So Raven, The Boys in Motion? I was one of the Boys in Motion. I just realized, there may not have been a live audience, but it was a multi-cam setup.

My experience on 2 Broke Girls was my first time doing multiple episodes in front of a live audience and portraying a recurring character. It was a new and exciting challenge for me since I had never been a regular on a live audience multi-cam show before. Despite feeling nervous at first, the audience's support and desire for the show to be enjoyable and funny made the experience incredibly fun and rewarding.

Jumping into an established show for guest-starring roles has been a great opportunity for me. I enjoy the creative challenge of working with the existing dynamics and characters on the show. It's a chance to bring something new to the table while also fitting into the established world of the show.

Ryan Hansen: When I joined the show, I noticed that the cast often sticks together and does their own thing. However, on this particular show, everyone was incredibly welcoming and encouraged me to join in the fun. They wanted the show to succeed and for me to do well, creating a non-threatening and cool atmosphere. Jumping onto a show where everyone is already comfortable can be challenging, but this experience felt like a warm embrace. It was truly fantastic.

Do you have any other projects lined up for the future?

Night Court is an American television sitcom that aired from 1984 to 1992. The show was set in a Manhattan municipal court during the night shift, presided over by a young, unorthodox judge named Harry Stone. The series featured a quirky cast of characters, including a public defender, a prosecutor, a bailiff, and a court clerk. Night Court was known for its humor, wit, and unique blend of slapstick comedy and heartwarming moments. The show was well-received by both critics and audiences, earning several Emmy Awards during its run. Night Court remains a beloved classic in the history of television sitcoms.

Melissa Rauch as Abby Stone grabbing India de Beaufort as Olivia in Night Court 206. - About Night Court

Get ready for a fun night at court! Judge Abby Stone, known for her sunny disposition, is taking charge of her father's old courtroom during the night shift. She handles some of New York's quirkiest cases with a colorful group of characters, including the former night court District Attorney, Dan Fielding, who now works as the court's public defender.

Check out our previous Night Court interviews:

Melissa Rauch

India de Beaufort

Lyric Lewis

Kurt Fuller

Melissa Villaseñor

Paul Scheer

Rob Huebel

Jessica St. Clair

Night Court airs Tuesdays at 8:00 pm ET on NBC and is available to stream the next day on Peacock.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an insightful glimpse into Ryan Hansen's experience joining the cast of Night Court and his portrayal of Jake, a character who brings a voice of reason to the unconventional workplace setting. Hansen's enthusiasm for the role and his appreciation for the warm and welcoming atmosphere on set are evident throughout the interview. The article also highlights his admiration for his co-star, Melissa Rauch, and his excitement about the potential for future episodes that could explore the relationship between their characters.

Overall, the article offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a beloved sitcom and the camaraderie among its cast. It leaves readers eager to see more of Hansen's portrayal of Jake and the further development of the show's characters and storylines.