Showrunners Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield have revealed that if Netflix renews The Four Seasons for a third season,David Tennant will have a significantly expanded role after his Season 2 cliffhanger appearance with Kerri Kenney-Silver's Anne. The duo also explained why Steve Carell's return for a COVID-themed episode was essential and how the show's quarterly time jumps enable accelerated storytelling.

Tina Fey's casting instinct that made David Tennant the Season 2 cliffhanger

According to showrunners Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield in an interview with Collider, the decision to have Anne stay in Italy and meet a new character was driven by a desire to give her a romantic cliffhanger.. Once the character was conceived, co-creator Tina Fey insisted it had to be David Tennant because she loves him. The creators report that the chemistry on set was electric, and they are already plotting a much bigger role for the Doctor Who actor in Season 3. “We want a sweet moment for poor Anne,” Fisher told Collider, hinting at the emotional payoff they have planned.

Why Steve Carell's COVID episode could not exist without the actor himself

Wigfield and Fisher explained that the COVID episode featuring Steve Carell would not have been made without him. “We only did it because we love Steve and miss him so much,” Fisher said. The episode brought back Carell's character, Nick, who was killed off in Season 1, for a flashback that anchored the pandemic's emotional toll. The creators stressed that no other actor could have filled that role, making the episode a unique tribute to Carell's impact on the series.

How the quarterly time-jump format sets up multi-season arcs

As Wigfield told Collider, the initial plan was only to adapt the film into a single season, but agents encouraged them to think longer term. The premise — checking in with a group of friends every three months — naturally lends itself to accelerated storytelling and big life changes. This structure allows the creators to jump forward in time, leaving cliffhangers like Anne's meeting with Tennant's character to simmer until the next season. Fisher noted that the Season 2 finale was designed to leave audiences wanting more, balancing immediate closure with forward momentum.

The creative team's Ibiza wish and the practical reality of location shooting

The showrunneers have joked about willing Italy into existence for Season 2, and now they are trying to will Ibiza into existence for a potential Season 3.. However, they take a practical approach to location choices, as the report says, preferring organic storytelling that could naturally lead to Ibiza. The cast has embraced the humor, but the decision rests on Netflix's green light and budget. Fisher and Wigfield emphasized that they have a lot of fun ideas for Season 3, and David Tennant would be a big part of that.

What remains uncertain: Netflix's renewal decision and the scope of Tennant's role

The creators expressed hope that Netflix will soon tell them they can have a Season 3, but the renewal is not guaranteed. while they have outlined expanded plans for Tennant, the exact size of his role remains unconfirmed — the source only teases that he would be “a big part” of the season. Additionally, it is unclear whether the COVID episode will be available to stream as a standalone or only within the season order. Viewers are left wondering if Anne's cliffhanger will be paid off or become a permanent tease if the show is canceled.