A lot needs to be done in order to achieve the perfect cliffhanger; and Tina Fey did just that and much more as she fetched David Tennant for The Four Seasons. The Four Seasons' latest season has arrived on Netflix, quickly establishing itself as a worthy rival to HBO's The White Lotus with its glossy travel setting and sharp ensemble comedy. The season finale masterfully sets up potential Season 3 by leaving Anne in Italy with a tantalizing romantic cliffhanger.

Its highlight, being David Tennant's surprise cameo as Gianpiero, Anne's charming Italian neighbor, was the cherry on top of an already perfect ending, adding star power and genuine chemistry to the curtain closer.

But he would not have been there if not for Tina Fey.

 As the cast and crew curated the perfect ending to the season, Tina Fey offered a list of ideas that started from David Tennant and ended at him as well.  While speaking with Deadline, Tracey Wigfield, co-creator of The Four Seasons, revealed that Tina Fey personally singled out David Tennant for the role of Gianpiero, making him the very blueprint of the character.  

“Tina, the first person she said was, ‘Well, someone like David Tennant, like a David Tennant kind of guy,’” the co-creator recalled.

That instinct quickly turned into reality when the team approached Tennant first. His immediate agreement made the cameo feel even more serendipitous.

The production moved quickly once Tennant signed on, with the entire scene filmed in just a single day. The team praised both his professionalism and his on-screen chemistry with Kerri Kenney-Silver. Despite its brevity, the moment lands as one of the finale’s most memorable highlights.

The cameo also plays a crucial narrative role by setting up a romantic cliffhanger for a possible third season. After choosing to remain in Italy, Anne steps into a new chapter often described as her 2.0 phase. Tennant’s arrival signals fresh possibilities for the character’s emotional journey.

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But while Tennant’s cameo adds a spark to the finale, Fey’s creative influence runs even deeper throughout the season.

Tina Fey drew from her own lockdown experiences to craft one of Season 2’s most heartfelt sequences. The pandemic-era talent show in the episode Little Thanksgiving mirrors a real Zoom gathering she organized with fellow Saturday Night Live alumni. 

“Pretty early on in COVID, we decided to have a talent show over Zoom with all the kids,” Fey explained.

The virtual event included appearances from Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph. Their children participated in a mix of quirky and impressive performances. The real-life inspiration translated seamlessly into the show’s narrative. In the episode, characters present talents ranging from Irish step dancing to Shakespeare readings.

The humor peaks when Don unknowingly critiques a performance while still audible on the call. Fey also highlighted the presence of Alan Alda, who plays Anne’s father. She described him as “the loveliest man in the world,” emphasizing how his involvement elevated the scene. The sequence stands out as a perfect mix of warmth, comedy, and character development.

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What do you think about David Tennant’s surprise cameo in The Four Seasons Season 2? Let us know in the comments.