7 Things Writers Can Learn From The TV Series “The Four Seasons” From The Show’s Creators

The Four Seasons on Netflix is a modern television adaptation of the 1981 film by Alan Alda, rebooted as an eight-episode comedy-drama series created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield.

The show follows three couples whose quarterly vacations are disrupted when one man brings his much younger girlfriend after a divorce, prompting tension and self-reflection within the group. While the premise mirrors the original film—exploring friendship, aging, and relationship dynamics and upheavals—the series updates the setting, diversifies the cast, and uses its longer format to dive deeper into character development and contemporary themes.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the minds behind The Four Seasons—and how you can apply them to your own work:

1. Choose Source Material That Still Has Something to Say

When Tracy Wigfield began developing The Four Seasons as a TV show, she wasn’t chasing a trend—she was following a creative spark. “Tina, Lang, and I had been talking about building something for Tina to star in,” she explains. “The original film kept coming up—not as a property to adapt, but as a tonal touchstone. It felt adult, cozy, and relationship-focused. We realized it had all the ingredients for a compelling series.”

2. Let Casting Influence the Characters—Not Just the Other Way Around

When Will Forte got the call to play Tina Fey’s husband, he didn’t hesitate. “They offered to send the script, and I said, ‘Don’t even bother. I’m in,’” he laughs.

But even more revealing was the casting of Kerri Kenney-Silver. “We’d seen so many auditions for the character of Anne,” Tracy notes. “A lot of them felt very melancholic. Then Kerri came in and struck the perfect emotional and comedic balance. We knew immediately she was it.”

3. Know When to Deconstruct the Original

Interestingly, Tina Fey didn’t rewatch the 1981 film before jumping into production on the series. “I tried, but it wasn’t available at the time. Later, when it came back on Netflix, I actually chickened out. I didn’t want to be overly influenced—I wanted to find our own version of the story.”

This approach allowed the team to deconstruct the source material without being bound by it. The resulting show is more than a remake. It’s a reinvention, one that uses the original as a starting point.

4. Use Ensemble Writing to Explore Relationships

At its core, The Four Seasons is a character ensemble show. The cast includes comedy veterans like Mark McKinney, rising stars, and longtime collaborators. That mix added depth to the show’s relationship dynamics.

“We clicked immediately,” Kerri says. “Table reads turned into comedy jams. We played games between takes. It wasn’t just chemistry on-screen—we really bonded.”

Tina added, “Those off-camera moments matter. They create trust and comfort that bleed into the performances. We weren’t just colleagues—we were a team.”

5. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Tone

Tone is often the invisible glue of a show. Get it right, and everything clicks. Get it wrong, and even a great cast or story can feel off.

“The biggest challenge was tonal consistency,” Tracy notes. “We wanted the show to feel warm, real, and funny—but also emotionally sincere. That meant sometimes pulling back on jokes, or letting a scene breathe instead of rushing to the next beat.”

6. Write Dialogue That Feels Lived-In

Another standout feature of The Four Seasons is its conversational, organic dialogue. You believe these characters have known each other for years.

“It wasn’t about crafting perfect jokes,” Tina adds. “It was about writing scenes that felt true to who these people were. And then letting the actors bring those moments to life.”

7. Create a World Worth Returning To

The creators reflect on the show’s growing fanbase and its renewal for a second season.

“We’re so grateful for the support,” Tracy reflects. “We’re excited to go deeper—more laughs, more tears, and more surprises.”

Tina notes, “The audience wants to spend time with these people. That’s the greatest compliment.”

For writers, this is the ultimate goal: to build a world people don’t want to leave. Whether you’re writing a half-hour comedy or a sprawling drama, craft your world with enough detail, heart, and humanity that viewers feel like they’re coming home.

Key Lessons from The Four Seasons

• Choose stories that resonate, not just recycle.
• Cast with intuition—and let the actors reshape the roles.
• Keep your tone consistent and intentional.
• Don’t chase the punchline if the truth hits better.
• Build worlds where characters grow and relationships evolve.
• Make space for spontaneity and actor chemistry.
• And most importantly—make sure your audience wants to come back for more.
• Because when laughter and emotional truth coexist on screen? That’s where the magic happens.

by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.