When it comes to vacation photos and videos, most people might feel a twinge of jealousy as they scroll through social media. However, there’s an exception to the rule: we’ll gladly follow along on any trip Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani embark on. And that’s precisely why we’re eagerly anticipating their latest project—The Four Seasons, a star-studded comedy series set to debut on Netflix on May 1.
The new show comes from powerhouse creator Tina Fey, alongside her fellow 30 Rock writer-producers Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield. If the title sounds familiar, it’s likely because “The Four Seasons” is also the name of a well-known luxury hotel chain. But the series isn’t just borrowing the name from the famous hotels. It draws inspiration from a 1981 film of the same title, directed by and starring Alan Alda. In the film, a group of married couples vacations together each season, with their seemingly perfect friendships thrown into disarray when one couple faces a looming breakup.
Now, the Netflix adaptation promises to bring a fresh spin to the concept while maintaining the ensemble-driven humor of the original. The series will follow the same premise, but instead of a single film, it will unfold across eight episodes, each centered around a different vacation taken by the group of friends. Each vacation is tied to a specific season—spring, summer, fall, and winter—offering a unique backdrop for the evolving dynamics of the characters’ relationships.
Tina Fey herself stars as Kate, one of the central characters, with her partner Jack played by Will Forte, another SNL and 30 Rock alum. Their on-screen chemistry promises to be a highlight of the series. Fey’s character, Kate, and Forte’s Jack are joined by Steve Carell’s Nick, who is married to Anne, portrayed by Reno 911! star Kerry Kinney-Silver. While the premise involves both light-hearted humor and emotional tension, it also provides an important update to the original movie by introducing a central gay couple.
Two-time Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, known for his stellar work in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Euphoria, plays Danny, one-half of the new gay couple at the heart of the show. His partner, Claude, is played by Marco Calvani, an Italian filmmaker and playwright best known for his stage and screen work. The chemistry between Domingo and Calvani promises to bring a dynamic new element to the series, providing a more inclusive representation of relationships within the comedy genre.
Colman Domingo, Tina Fey, Will Forte and Marc Salvani for ‘The Four Seasons.’ Photo: Netflix
While Calvani may not be as widely known in Hollywood circles—his last on-screen role was over a decade ago in Showtime’s The Borgias—he has since built a successful career as a writer and director. His recent work includes High Tide, a romantic drama released in 2024, starring his real-life husband Marco Pigossi. Fans of both Domingo and Calvani can look forward to seeing them share the screen as an on-screen couple, a pairing that is sure to steal the spotlight with their charm and magnetic presence.
The show’s central premise revolves around four distinct vacations taken by this friend group, with each vacation corresponding to one of the four seasons of the year. The episodic structure allows for more in-depth exploration of each trip, with each season getting two episodes to develop the characters’ evolving storylines. Fans can expect plenty of drama, laughs, and moments of personal growth as the group of friends faces new challenges over the course of their travels.
In true The Four Seasons fashion, the show will likely delve into the personal lives of the characters, with one of the couples experiencing a breakup that threatens to disrupt the group dynamic. The original film depicted one of the married couples falling apart when one partner begins a relationship with someone younger. Although Netflix’s series is keeping tight-lipped about which character will experience this upheaval, some clues may suggest a potential shift in the relationship between Steve Carell’s Nick and Kerry Kinney-Silver’s Anne.
In fact, actress Erika Henningsen, best known for her role in Girls5eva, has been announced as part of the cast but is notably absent from the official show synopsis. This has led fans to speculate that her character may be the one who enters the picture as a romantic interest for one of the straight characters, possibly Nick or Jack. Should this storyline unfold as expected, it would leave the path clear for Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani’s characters, Danny and Claude, to maintain their strong and stable relationship, much to the delight of viewers who are already rooting for the gay couple.
As the show progresses, audiences can expect plenty of lighthearted moments and comedy, but also emotional depth. The changing dynamics among the group of friends will mirror the emotional challenges many experience in real life as relationships evolve, both romantically and platonically. Given the stellar ensemble cast and strong writing team behind The Four Seasons, it’s clear that the series has all the ingredients for success.
The series promises to be a refreshing addition to Netflix’s lineup, combining humor, heart, and diversity in a way that’s sure to resonate with a wide audience. Whether you’re tuning in for the ensemble comedy, the stunning vacation locales, or the compelling character arcs, The Four Seasons offers something for everyone. And with Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani at the forefront of the show, it’s bound to be a hit.
Fans can catch all eight episodes of The Four Seasons when the series premieres on Netflix on May 1. The highly anticipated series is sure to become a conversation starter, offering a perfect blend of comedy, drama, and romance. Prepare for a journey full of laughs, surprises, and plenty of emotional moments as the characters navigate the ups and downs of friendship, love, and life over the course of four unforgettable vacations.
For more updates and behind-the-scenes insights, make sure to follow the series and mark your calendars for its upcoming premiere.
