Tina Fey and Steve Carell have reunited on screen in Netflix’s The Four Seasons, a remake of Alan Alda’s 1981 romantic comedy. Both actors spoke about how working on the series deepened their friendship after years of polite distance.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Fey reflected on their earlier collaboration on the 2010 film Date Night. “Steve Carell and I made a whole movie together without ever breaking through to the other side because we’re both very shy,” Fey said. “Without anyone to make us talk, he and I would both sit in polite silence. After working with this big group, I feel like Steve and I are actually all-the-way friends now.”
At the Los Angeles premiere, Carell echoed the sentiment, joking that it “only took 15 years” for them to become close. He added, “We are super shy. This is about as gregarious as you will ever see me, right now, in this interview.” Carell described how mutual respect and concern for each other’s time had previously kept them distant but said the ensemble nature of The Four Seasons brought them together.
The eight-episode miniseries, co-created by Fey along with Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield, centers on a group of three married couples whose long-standing friendships are tested when one couple divorces. Carell and Fey star alongside Colman Domingo, Will Forte, Marco Calvani, and Kerri Kenney-Silver.
Forte shared that the cast quickly formed bonds during filming. “Right away, we had to do these scenes where we had to act like we’ve known each other for 20 years and it was so easy,” Forte said during the premiere. “The chemistry was instant.”
Calvani noted the experience working with the group. “We have a chat group where we constantly write and share photos,” he said. “There was no ego at play. It was just amazing.”
The writing team behind the series also brought a shared history. Fey explained that many of the writers had previously worked together on 30 Rock, creating a familiar environment. “It’s really nice, just a comfort level and a shorthand with people who’ve known you a long time and know everything about you,” she said.
Carell reflected on the importance of longstanding professional relationships. “It’s incredible meeting up with people that you had done stuff with years ago, but you’re still connected and still have these shared experiences,” he said.
The Four Seasons premieres May 1 on Netflix.