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Netflix announced that production has already commenced for the second season of this comedy series. The giant TCS took to social media to announce that the sitcom first brought to life by Steve Carell will be back.
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The announcement opted for a very brief caption in the theme of travel: “our bags are so packed. THE FOUR SEASONS: SEASON 2 is officially in production!” The reaction from viewers was immediate once the post surfaced. One huge point of discussion in conversations was the glaring omission of Steve Carell from the series. Steve Carell has been a big bone of contention since he declined to come back for the second series. It matters most to the audiences right now.
One comment summarized the feeling well, stating, “For a second I was like ‘Where’s Steve Carrell?’… and then I remembered.” That sudden realization with a tinge of disappointment runs throughout the comments. Another fan put it simply: “Without Steven is not going to be the same :(“. In itself, the criticism plainly states the uphill battle the new season has to face in winning over an audience that grew attached to the original cast.
The sentiments surrounding Steve Carell not returning were repeated numerous times, with almost every comment along the lines of “Gonna miss Steve carell 😢” or “I’m gonna miss Steve Carell.” One comment responded to another comment saying, “He was the only reason to watch it in the first place 😂.” Which in itself shows the uphill battle waiting for the new season: will people watch it without their star?
Almost profoundly about who will not be back, there is perhaps genuine excitement for the other: many subscribers have been awaiting this new chapter. “Let’s go!!! So excited for szn 2 ❤️,” another fan exclaimed. “Yes Netflix is Netflixxxing this year! I can’t wait for this one,” expressed a third, showing trust and belief in what the platform has in store for the audience.
Someone else re-enforced how intense season one was: “Still haven’t recovered from S1 😭.” Another said, “I still haven’t watched this 😂😩. Let me add to fall watch list,” with the undertone of maybe the announcement will finally get some started on watching after all.
Yet many comments drew away from the show. The announcement post served as yet another list for Netflix requests and critiques. One commenter wrote in a matter of update, “Is there any way to change the interface layout back to the way it was before the update? It’s so much scrolling and I can’t find anything.” Someone else started a campaign about another show that was canceled, “Day 993 of us trying to help you see the mistake you’ve made in canceling inside job… We need to finish the story of Reagan & crew. Please.”
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The renewal of The Four Seasons is evidence of Netflix deepening its commitment to comedic fare. The series, loosely based on the 1981 movie of the same name by Alan Alda, is about three couples. Season 1 saw the couples face tremors in their lives when a couple decided to get a divorce after almost twenty years of vacationing as one, which halted their tradition of vacationing together. Season 2, meanwhile, with production having already started, basically will have to go on without Carell and prove that it can indeed hold its own. The fans have made it clear: winning an existing fan base will, to the very foreground, be the primary task of the new production. The creative artist will have to provide a compelling fresh dynamic for the loyalists while drawing in new subscribers.