If you’ve ever spent a summer evening strolling a boardwalk, riding the Ferris wheel, grabbing frozen custard, Netflix’s comedy hit may feel a lot like home.
Season 2 of The Four Seasons premiered May 28, bringing viewers back into the lives of six longtime friends navigating love, loss and middle age.
But for Jersey Shore residents, the latest season offers another reason to tune in: a celebration of the beach-town traditions that define summers along the South Jersey coast.
Created by Upper Darby native Tina Fey and fellow former 30 Rock writer Tracey Wigfield, the comedy-drama dedicates two episodes to a Jersey Shore getaway complete with boardwalk rides, ocean views, beach bikes, saltwater taffy and late-night adventures under the glow of carnival lights.
While the episodes were filmed in Ocean Grove and Point Pleasant Beach, the spirit of the Shore portrayed on screen will feel familiar to anyone who has spent summers in Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Wildwood, Cape May, Margate or Atlantic City.
“Tracey and I both love the Jersey Shore so much,” Fey released in a statement to the Inquirer. “We decided to set one season in a sort of unnamed Jersey Shore town. We just thought the boardwalk and rides would be such a colorful, fantastic background.”
Adapted from Alan Alda’s 1981 film of the same name, The Four Seasons follows a close-knit group of friends who vacation together throughout the year. The second season picks up after the death of one of the group’s members and explores how the remaining friends navigate grief while adjusting to new relationships and changing family dynamics.
Fey stars as Kate alongside her former Saturday Night Live castmate Will Forte, who plays her husband Jack. West Philadelphia native Colman Domingo portrays Danny, one of Kate’s closest friends.
For Domingo, the Shore setting carried personal significance.
Long before earning Academy Award nominations and starring roles in major films, Domingo spent time in Margate and Cape May with friends. Returning to the Shore for filming brought back memories of summers by the beach.
That sense of nostalgia is woven throughout the Shore episodes. The friends spend time riding bikes, walking the boardwalk and revisiting the carefree feeling of summers past. For many locals and visitors of the Shore, those scenes may feel less like television and more like memories.
One episode follows the group through a night on the boardwalk, where they play carnival games, ride bumper cars and spin through the Tilt-A-Whirl while Bobby Rydell’s classic “Wildwood Days” plays in the background.
The cast also embraced classic Shore treats during filming, including saltwater taffy, frozen custard and water ice. Fey said she’s partial to vanilla custard, while Domingo prefers cherry water ice.
Beyond the scenery and snacks, both actors praised the warm reception they received from local residents while filming.
“These communities were so lovely,” Domingo said. “They were really excited when we were there and really supportive. It was just really special. It felt like there was a lot of love.”
Season 2 of The Four Seasons is now streaming on Netflix.
