Erika Henningsen Reveals the Valuable Lesson From Steve Carell She’s Bringing to ‘The Four Seasons’ Season 2

Published 05/29/2026, 11:26 PM EDT

Credits: Erika Henningsen/@erikahenningsen.via Instagram/ Image Credits: Riley Taylor

Erika Henningsen says a memorable lesson from Steve Carell, one of freedom found in television acting in comparison to theatre, which Henningsen is more than familiar with, has influenced the way she approached her role in The Four Seasons Season 2. The actress, who plays Ginny in the Netflix comedy-drama, has become an integral part of the ensemble after joining the friend group at the center of the series during its debut season. Having worked alongside industry veterans such as Tina Fey and Steve Carell, Henningsen has had the opportunity to learn from some of comedy's most celebrated talents.

As Season 2 arrives with new emotional challenges and relationship dynamics, the actress recently reflected on a valuable creative lesson that continues to shape her approach to television acting.

Erika Henningsen learned career-shaping philosophy from Steve Carell on The Four Seasons set

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Working on The Four Seasons gave Erika Henningsen more than memorable scenes and acclaimed co-stars. It also provided a masterclass in adapting her performance style from theater to television, something she credits in part to Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Reflecting on her experience, Henningsen explained how television requires a different mindset than live performance.

“When I worked with Steve in Season 1, and then when Tina directed me, things started to kind of emerge where I’m realizing the great freedom of TV is that I’m not the editor. All I have to do is give them as many options as possible, and there’s a lot of freedom in that,” Henningsen explained to TheWrap in an interview.

The actress went on to reveal that Steve Carell helped her recognize the freedom that comes with television acting. Rather than delivering a single definitive version of a scene, performers are encouraged to explore multiple possibilities and trust the editors and creative team to shape the final product. The realization transformed how she approaches her work, allowing her to experiment more freely and bring fresh energy to every take. It's a lesson that continues to influence her performance as Ginny navigates a new chapter in Season 2.

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As Erika Henningsen embraces that creative flexibility, audiences can now see the results unfold in the latest season of the Netflix series.

What to expect from The Four Seasons Season 2?

Season 2 of The Four Seasons is now available on Netflix, with all eight episodes released on May 28, 2026. Created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield, the comedy-drama continues its exploration of friendship, love, loss, and personal growth through a group of longtime friends whose lives are constantly evolving. Picking up after the tragic death of Nick (Steve Carell) in Season 1, the new episodes follow the group as they navigate grief, parenthood, relationship challenges, and major life transitions while maintaining their tradition of vacationing together.

The returning cast includes Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Kerri Kenney-Silver, and Erika Henningsen, with Steve Carell appearing in flashbacks. New storylines take the characters to destinations such as Italy and the Jersey Shore, while introducing fresh faces including Steven Pasquale and a guest appearance from David Tennant. Blending humor with emotional storytelling, Season 2 deepens the show's focus on friendship and reinvention while setting up intriguing possibilities for future seasons.

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As The Four Seasons enters its second season, Erika Henningsen is bringing with her a valuable lesson learned from Steve Carell: embrace uncertainty, explore every possibility, and trust the creative process. That philosophy has helped her grow as a television performer and has become an important part of her approach to portraying Ginny.

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What do you think of Erika Henningsen's lesson learned from Steve Carrell? Let us know in the comments! 

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Karishma Dasgupta

403 articles

Karishma is an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. She enjoys digging deep into stories and bringing clarity to the often fast-moving world of entertainment. She holds a double Master’s degree in Fashion Business Management and Digital Marketing.

Edited By: Adiba Nizami

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