In a candid and characteristically witty reflection on her latest creative chapter, Tina Fey has opened up about how her new Netflix series, The Four Seasons, served as a vital lifeline during one of the most challenging periods of her life.
Speaking about the project, which she co-created and stars in, Fey admitted that the work provided a necessary anchor as she navigated the “sandwich generation” struggle of caring for aging parents while seeing her own children leave the nest. In a vivid metaphor that has since gone viral, the comedy legend credited the show for preventing her from retreating into isolation, saying it “saved me from just shrinking up like a little granny apple head.”
A Timely Return to the Spotlight
The 54-year-old 30 Rock creator revealed that her “impulse to hide and retire” has never been stronger, driven by a desire to step back and let new comedic voices take center stage. However, the timing of The Four Seasons—a reimagining of Alan Alda’s 1981 classic—proved to be exactly what she needed to stay grounded.
• A Year of Transition: Fey noted that the production began shortly after a summer of profound personal change, including the passing of her mother and her eldest daughter’s departure for college.
• The “Sandwich” Struggle: She spoke openly about the emotional toll of balancing the needs of an aging parent with those of her children, describing the experience as “wonderful” but one that “really takes a lot out of you.”
• Work as Therapy: Joining her husband and collaborator Jeff Richmond on set in the fall helped keep her “in the world” when the instinct to withdraw was at its peak.
‘The Four Seasons’ Becomes a Global Hit
Fey’s vulnerability has clearly resonated with audiences. Since its debut, The Four Seasons has become a bona fide smash for Netflix, reportedly amassing over 12 million views in its first week alone. The show, which follows three couples navigating the shifting dynamics of long-term friendship and midlife, has been praised for its “properly funny and heartbreaking” look at aging.
• The Ensemble: Fey stars alongside a powerhouse cast including Will Forte, Steve Carell (whose character’s shocking exit in Season 1 left fans reeling), and Colman Domingo.
• The Critical Consensus: Critics have lauded Fey’s ability to modernize the source material while maintaining its core honesty, earning the series a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Looking Toward Season 2
As the buzz around the show continues to grow, Netflix has wasted no time in capitalizing on the success. The streaming giant recently released the first trailer for Season 2, set to premiere on May 28, 2026. The upcoming episodes will see the core group—minus Carell’s Nick but still grappling with his loss—traveling to Italy for their next seasonal getaway.
For Fey, the success of the series is a secondary benefit to the personal stability it provided. By leaning into her “Sandler Model” of filming in beautiful locations with close friends, she has found a way to continue her legacy without the burnout she once feared.
While she remains hesitant to return to the high-stakes world of awards show hosting—recently telling reporters that the “high risk for low reward” no longer appeals to her—Fey’s work on The Four Seasons proves that her voice is as sharp, and as necessary, as ever. For now, it seems the “granny apple head” will have to wait.
