“The Four Seasons” follows six longtime friends who embark on a peaceful weekend getaway, which quickly becomes chaotic when one couple reveals their impending breakup. This 8-part series, streaming on Netflix starting May 1, features Tina Fey and Will Forte as Kate and Jack, respectively; Steve Carell and Kerri Kenney-Silver as Nick and Anne; and Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani as Danny and Claude. What I enjoyed about the show was its exploration of long-term marriages and the various pitfalls that come with them, as well as the significance of friendships. As Tina Fey mentioned on the Netflix website, “It feels lived-in.”
Carell also praised the writing and casting of “The Four Seasons,” noting that it feels like these characters have been part of each other’s lives for a long time. There’s a shared understanding among them, an unspoken bond, and they communicate in a language unique to their group. Fey added that fellow writers Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield reimagined the 1981 cult classic film “The Four Seasons,” which starred Rita Moreno, Carol Burnett, and Alan Alda, who also directed the original. “It just felt very cozy and aspirational,” she remarked. Notably, Alda makes a cameo in one of the episodes, serving as a tribute to his legacy from the M*A*S*H TV series.
I appreciated the show’s realism; it felt easy to identify with the six adults, as well as Erika Leigh Henningsen, the young actress playing Carell’s new girlfriend. Henningsen, known for originating the role of Cady Heron in the Tony-nominated musical Mean Girls, did a great job portraying the challenges she faces as the seventh wheel in this close-knit group.
Although I enjoyed all the episodes, I felt that the series was a bit too stretched out, and the last few episodes could have been condensed. Overall, there’s something for everyone in this show, as the fantastic cast tugs at your heartstrings. I highly recommend the series for its mix of humorous and serious moments, which are all highly entertaining.
Sarah Knight Adamson©April 30, 2025
Stay tuned for my Hollywood 360 Radio Network review, posting after broadcast.