Summary

• Ryan Hansen brings a fresh perspective to Night Court as Jake, challenging workplace norms in episode 9.
• Hansen's chemistry with Melissa Rauch shines on screen, teasing a potential future romance between their characters.
• Working with the Night Court cast feels like a welcoming "big hug," creating a fun and non-threatening atmosphere.

With nearly 100 acting credits, Ryan Hansen added to his impressive list of projects by joining the Night Court cast for season 2, episode 9, "Taught and Bothered." Hansen plays the role of Jake, a Human Resources representative who clashes with Abby after observing the court's questionable workplace conduct. While the actor is known for guest-starring across multiple genres, viewers may recognize him for the 55 episodes he spent as Dick Casablancas on Veronica Mars.

Hansen's latest series regular role saw him reunite with the cast of Party Down for the 2023 revival. However, he was most recently featured in titles such as The Christmas Classic, Ricky and Morty, and Three Women. Outside of his acting work, Hansen has been filming the cooking show, Dad Dinner, for his YouTube channel. The main cast of Night Court includes Melissa Rauch, India de Beaufort, Nyambi Nyambi, Lacretta, and John Larroquette.

Screen Rant interviewed Hansen about filming Episode 9's sensitivity training scene, the future of Jake and Abby's relationship, and whether he'd like to return to 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 think the original started in '84, so I was three. But it was on forever. I definitely knew of the show. I had seen episodes later in life, but I don't think I was allowed to watch it as a kid. I grew up very conservative, I guess you could say. So I don't think I was allowed to watch it.

Because this is a sitcom, the court doesn't operate as professionally as a workplace would, and your character is the first one that actually points that out. How was playing this voice of reason?

Ryan Hansen: It's really fun. Acting is very fun because you get to play all these different characters. I'm never the voice of reason. That's not me. I'm always the guy that's pushing the limits and trying to get weird. To be able to play the guy that's like, "Guys, let's focus here. We've got to be politically correct," is very fun for me. That's not really my personality. I'm usually pushing the limits and stuff. I loved to kind of whip everybody into shape.

Your character stirs up quite a bit of chaos, especially during the sensitivity training. Can you talk about filming that scene?

Ryan Hansen: It's so cool because the whole cast is there. Gary Anthony Williams is one of my favorite people in the world. He's so funny. He's in this episode, as well, and I love him. Everyone's so funny. John and Melissa are incredible. Everyone's in the scene, and it's always fun when the whole cast is there because everyone's goofing off and stuff, and you have to get your lines right. It was a blast to all be together. It's intimidating, because they're on season 2, and they all have a vibe, and I come in, and it's my first big scene with everybody. I was just trying to get my lines right, really. [Laughs]

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: She is a little powerhouse. She's incredible, and a boss, and the friendliest, coolest chick. She's one of the coolest chicks I've worked with ever. She was so welcoming. It's her show. I think I've met her maybe once or twice when I was doing 2 Broke Girls back in the day. Big Bang was right next to us, so we crossed paths a little bit, but never hung out and stuff. It was really, really fun to get to know her.

Off camera, we're talking about kid stuff and how that is. I've got three, she's got two. She made me feel so comfortable and welcome. That's not always the case on a show. Everyone's kind of got their vibe, and they're doing their thing, and a guest comes in. She made it feel very comfortable and made me feel good about what I was doing. I love her.

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 great onscreen chemistry, and the way the episode ended made me wonder if you might be returning to continue that relationship.

Ryan Hansen: I'm wondering the same thing. It's like, "Come on!" There's a lot going on with these two. I hope to do more episodes and play with those guys again.

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

How many times have you filmed in front of a live audience now?

Ryan Hansen: I had done it a couple of times before. Maybe you remember That's So Raven, The Boys in Motion? Yeah, I'm a Boy in Motion. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't think there was a live audience there. But it was multi-cam.

2 Broke Girls was my first time doing multiple episodes in front of an audience and having a character that was ongoing. I've never been a regular on a live audience multi-cam show. It's always very nerve-wracking. You're so nervous, and then you do the first scene, and it's like, "Okay, the audience is here to support you, and they want it to work. They want it to be fun and funny, too." It's always nerve-wracking, but it's very fun, and I love it.

You've had a lot of guest-starring roles, so what do you enjoy most about being able to jump into an established show and work with what's there?

Ryan Hansen: Like I said, coming into a show, a lot of times the cast is already in their own little bubble, and they kind of do their thing. But on a lot of shows, especially this one, everyone was like, "Come on in and play." They want the show to be good, they want me to be good, so it felt very welcoming. It was non-threatening. It was very cool. It can be tricky sometimes to jump on a show when everyone's doing their thing, but this was like a big hug. It was great.

Do you have any other upcoming projects?

Ryan Hansen: I am booked on a couple of things coming up—some other little fun guest things. I've been doing a show called Dad Dinner. It's on YouTube. Me and my buddies were very, very bored, and we came up with this idea called Dad Dinner because I don't know how to cook. So I bring a dad buddy over, and they teach me how to cook a meal, which is very sad. But, also, it's very fun. It's real. I don't know how to do anything in the kitchen. It's embarrassing. So I'm trying to learn! That's what I've been up to, basically.

About Night Court

Court is back in session! When the perpetually sunny judge Abby Stone (Melissa Rauch) takes the night shift in her father’s old courtroom, she presides over some of New York’s most unique and unusual cases – with an oddball cast of characters by her side. This includes former night court District Attorney Dan FieIding (John Larroquette), who now serves 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.