Netflix has exploited a niche in the TV landscape, finding dozens of shows that showcase middle-aged actors. The Four Seasons Season 2 returns after the cliffhanger of Season 1. The all-star cast features Colman Domingo, Tina Fey, and Will Forte as a friend group who have been together since college. However, after the death of one of their best friends, they struggle to reach the next chapter in their lives unless they feel the weight of every choice.
What is The Four Seasons Season 2 about?
After Nick (Steve Carell) died in an accident last winter, his friend group adapts to their new lives. Danny (Colman Domingo) and Claude (Marco Calvani) try to figure out if they want to make a big life change. Jack (Will Forte) and Kate (Tina Fey) work on finding ways to grow independently without threatening their marriage. Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver) and Ginny (Erika Henningsen) work through their difficult dynamic, with Ginny’s pregnancy now casting a shadow over the entire friend group.
Over the next year, each couple faces unique challenges. Some think about moving to Italy. Others imagine adding new kids to the family. With each two-episode arc exploring a new change, The Four Seasons follows “the core group” in the aftermath of their tragedy.
The Four Seasons finds a more consistent tone this season, which helps the ensemble coalesce.
This time out, The Four Seasons delivers a more consistent tone in the humor and drama. The writers find more nuance in the ways adulthood changes when children leave the nest. This is most visible for Kenney-Silver, who finds herself in the difficult position of trying to move on from Nick’s death while facing Ginny’s need for help. Kenney-Silver has the most new experiences in The Four Seasons, and the writers trust her to land the emotional beats.
Colman Domingo continues his hot streak. He’s not only incredibly funny in every scene, but gives the show a stellar performer to build from. Domingo seamlessly flows between friend groups and can carry the emotion of a scene by himself. There’s a reason that Domingo has become one of Hollywood’s busiest men, and The Four Seasons only further highlights his talent.
Tina Fey and Will Forte still feel like they’re in their own show on the outskirts of the series. Fey finds more human moments with her castmates, and The Four Seasons wisely doubles down on her scenes with Domingo. Forte’s humor can be very big, especially during the Thanksgiving episodes. With the new consistency in tone, Forte becomes less jarring than he did in The Four Seasons Season 1.
This speaks to the elephant in the room: the departure of Steve Carell. This has ultimately been a great move, both for Carell with his new series, Rooster, and for The Four Seasons Season 2. The way Nick was written became a drag and burden on the show, with every scene serving as a reflection of an unlikable, tired character. Without an antagonistic character in the mix, the new energy allows the actors to explore new elements of their characters.
Like Season 1, The Four Seasons delivers high production values to the comedy series. The globe-trotting element gives us a chance to visit some unique locations. A trip to Italy, a Thanksgiving cabin, and a hike up through the Catskills allow the environments to speak for themselves. The “core group” is never in its element, which allows the costume team to showcase that in their style and (sometimes poorly advised) fashion. The set designers bring authenticity to scenes and even add humor with the pieces they create. Even with the show’s aesthetic needing to change every two episodes, The Four Seasons gives us that transportive experience.
Is The Four Seasons Season 2 worth watching?
Yes, The Four Seasons takes a step forward in Season 2. The “Core Group” is not facing traditional midlife crisis moments, and yet that sword hangs over the cast at all times. Forte, Fey, Calvani, Kenney-Silver, and Domingo bring authenticity and empathy to their characters, and enrich the screenplays as a result. With fewer stereotypical moments, we dig deeper into these characters and their struggles. The cast is too good to ignore, and Domingo is poised for another Emmy nomination with his sweet performance.
The Four Seasons returns for Season 2 on May 28, 2026. All eight episodes were provided for this review.
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