Tina Fey’s reboot of The Four Seasons has shattered Netflix records, amassing a staggering 12 million views within its first week of release.
The eight-episode series, which reimagines Alan Alda’s beloved 1981 romantic comedy, has dominated the streaming platform’s charts since its debut, clocking an impressive 51.1 million viewing hours globally.
In doing so, it has shaken this up unexpectedly by outperforming heavy hitters like the psychological thriller You and the dystopian anthology Black Mirror, cementing its status as the must-watch show of February 2025.
Fey, who serves as executive producer, has once again proven her golden touch when it comes to blending sharp wit with mass appeal and a killer ending.
The 30 Rock creator and Mean Girls creator has brought her signature comedic sensibility to this contemporary update, which retains the original’s exploration of marriage, friendship, and midlife disillusionment while refreshing the humour for modern audiences.
The result is a series that has viewers both laughing and reflecting on their own relationships—sometimes uncomfortably so.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising the revival’s clever writing and standout performances. Currently holding a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show narrowly edges out the original film’s 76% score.
Social media, meanwhile, has been flooded with reactions from binge-watchers, many of whom devoured the entire season in a single sitting.
“My partner and I started watching after dinner and didn’t stop until 3 a.m.,” tweeted one viewer. “It’s hilarious, painfully relatable, and maybe slightly dangerous for couples to watch together.”
This sentiment was echoed across platforms, with some users jokingly warning others against viewing it with their significant others. “Great show, but if your relationship has cracks, this will find them,” read one viral TikTok caption.
The original Four Seasons, written and directed by Alda at the height of his MASH* fame, was a modest box office success but grew into a cult classic over the decades.
Its gentle yet incisive look at three couples’ evolving relationships struck a chord, earning four Golden Globe nominations and even renewing interest in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons concertos that underscored the film.
The Netflix version, helmed by Master of None co-creator Alan Yang, stays true to this spirit while expanding the story across multiple episodes.
The longer format allows for deeper character development and more nuanced exploration of modern relationship dynamics - from parenting struggles to reigniting passion in long-term partnerships.
Industry analysts note the show’s success comes at a pivotal time for Netflix, which has been strategically reviving nostalgic properties with contemporary twists.
The platform’s data suggests The Four Seasons has particularly resonated with viewers aged 35-55, a demographic increasingly hungry for sophisticated adult comedy.
Relationship experts have observed an interesting side effect of the show’s popularity. “We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in couples seeking counselling since the series dropped,” noted London therapist Dr. Emma Walsh. “It’s not that the show causes problems - rather, it gives people a shared language to discuss issues they’d been avoiding.”
The Four Seasons is streaming now on Netflix.
