[Editor’s note: Spoilers follow for the season finale of “Grace and Frankie” Season 4.]
“Grace and Frankie” co-creator Marta Kauffman has been telling stories about life over 70 for four seasons now, but there’s no sign of the show running out of tales to tell, as evidenced by the announcement Wednesday of Netflix renewing the show for a fifth season.
“Every season, it becomes more and more special, because you know you have fewer and fewer left,” she said to IndieWire at SCAD aTVfest in Atlanta. But that doesn’t mean there’s anything resembling a game plan for ending the show. Instead, Kauffman said that if Netflix gave her the option to keep the show going for as long as she wanted, “I’d probably tell them, ‘Let’s do it as long as it’s still comfortable for Jane and Lily.'”
It’s a fair consideration, given the current ages of stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin (80 and 78, respectively). But “they’re doing well,” Kauffman said. “It could be years and years. Who knows?”
Kauffman (who created “Grace and Frankie” alongside Howard J. Morris) said that the writers have been at work already on stories for Season 5, which will pick up on the show-changing events of the Season 4 finale.
Filme si seriale online HD subtitrate, fsonline,fs online, seriale online subtitrate, seriale online hd, filme online HD, filme noi HD.
“The way it is with every season, the hope is that you’ve left enough good bird seed that you can find your way. That’s the hope is you’ve dropped all these clues that we can as writers take advantage of in the next season,” she said. “You want stories to continue and not just to stop.”
That said, in writing Season 4, Kauffman said, “We were focused on Season 4 until we got to the last episode — and then said, what do we want to set up for Season 5?”
The big twists of that final episode, which included Grace and Frankie getting convinced by their children to move into an “assisted living” facility and the surprise sale of Grace and Frankie’s beloved beach house, created no shortage of storylines for a new season. Also, according to Kauffman, “People were mad. People were mad at the kids because they sold the house.”
That anger is understandable, but for people of a certain age it’s also quite relatable — even within the “Grace and Frankie” writers’ room. “So many of my writers are going through this with their own parents,” Kauffman said. “We’ve got quite a mixture in the room; there are several writers going through the exact thing right now where their parents are… They’re worried. They’re worried and they want to keep them safe.”
Four older people who are definitely safe, as far as Kauffman is concerned, are the characters of Grace, Frankie, Sol (Sam Waterston), and Robert (Martin Sheen). While the four leads are all of an age where, in the real world, anything could happen health-wise, Kauffman didn’t think that the writers would ever actively choose to lose a character.
“It doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. We gave Robert a heart attack already — health issues are definitely real issues. But, no, it would be so mean to kill one of them off just for the sake of killing one of them off,” she said. “When you love characters as we love characters… how would I pick who’d I’d give some horrible death to? I can’t even imagine.”
There is, of course, the reality that something could happen to one of the actors, but as Kauffman fairly noted, “This could happen on any show, not just mine. Then we would deal with it. But it’s not a plan.”
And it’s not really a narrative the show needs at this point. “There’s plenty of other stuff about aging,” she said.
Kauffman acknowledged that in “Grace and Frankie’s” early days, figuring out the tone of the show wasn’t an instantaneous process, especially when it came to balancing the dramatic and comedic elements of its premise. In the first season, she said, Netflix “kept tugging us to lean into the drama and we sort of had to find the line between the two.”
In addition, it took some time to learn key things about what works best for the series. “We learned that our show doesn’t do broad well,” was just one example. “We can’t do broad.”
But after four seasons, the show’s definitely found its voice — not to mention an audience that defies expectations. “It is fascinating, we have a much younger audience than we thought we’d ever get. Jessica Biel just posted herself nursing her baby and watching ‘Grace and Frankie.’ Miley Cyrus likes the show,” she said. “My understanding is… at least what I’m hearing is that there are two things to it. One is that I believe in the universal story as a universal story, no matter what the age is. But I think a number of young women feel that the show makes aging less frightening.”
Looking forward at Season 5, Kauffman foresaw opportunities for both new love interests and returning ones, including Nick (Peter Gallagher), Grace’s former boyfriend as of the end of Season 4. “Nick comes back in a substantial way,” she said.
Kauffman didn’t mention any other casting plans, though in a subsequent announcement Netflix revealed that RuPaul will appear as “‘Benjamin Le Day,’ a formidable and quick-witted adversary who faces off with Grace and Frankie.”
However, when asked about anyone else she might dream of casting, she noted that “to a certain extent, I have my dream cast. I have Jane, Lily, Martin and Sam and the four kids.”
And in general, they don’t write with a specific actor in mind. “For each new character that is created for the show, you have a dream cast. Whether or not you can get them is a whole other story. But for the most part we don’t go into it saying, ‘God, I wish we could get Shirley MacLaine’ more than, ‘Oh, here’s a part, oh my God, Shirley MacLaine would be so perfect for it.'”
Added Kauffman, “Not that I wouldn’t give my right arm to work with Shirley MacLaine.”
The one hurdle Kauffman mentioned encountering in the casting process was that “we’re reaching for people who don’t really want to do television” — which is still apparently a thing in the era of Peak TV.
“A lot of people do [want to do it] but there are a lot of people who don’t, who still have a certain judgment about it,” she said.
It’s an attitude that Kauffman, as a writer of television, doesn’t share. “I feel as far as TV goes, TV is a very intimate experience between the show and the audience. TV comes into your home, it comes with your computer when you’re in bed. You’re watching it when you’re naked and when you’re folding laundry and when you’re making dinner or when you’re in your robe and it’s really intimate because you’ve invited all these people into your home. In your most intimate state. So I feel like it’s an incredibly close relationship you have with the audience,” she said.
“There is a magic to the whole thing that you can’t teach, you can’t explain,” she continued. “Sometimes, the stars are just aligned.”
“Grace and Frankie” Season 4 is streaming now on Netflix. Season 5 will return in 2019.
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
They’re not friends, but when their husbands leave them for each other, proper Grace and eccentric Frankie begin to bond in this Emmy-nominated series.
Creators:Marta Kauffman, Howard J. Morris
Season 6 Coming 2020
Lily Tomlin has earned four Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in this comedy series.
Additional Videos
Grace and Frankie
- Grace and Frankie: Season 5 (Trailer)
- Grace and Frankie: Season 2 (Trailer)
- Grace and Frankie (Trailer)
- Grace and Frankie: Season 4 (Trailer)
- Grace and Frankie: Season 3 (Trailer)
- Grace and Frankie: Season 3 (Recap)
- Grace and Frankie: Season 2 (Recap)
- Grace and Frankie: Season 4 (Recap)
- Trailer: Partners
- Trailer: Moving On
- Grace and Frankie: Season 1 (Recap)
Episodes
Grace and Frankie
Grace and Frankie are stunned when their husbands inform them that they want divorces. They're even more stunned when they find out why.
The messy realities of divorce start to sink in for Grace, Frankie, Robert, Sol and their equally frazzled adult children.
Grace and Frankie decide to go back to work. Robert and Sol have an awkward dinner party for their children.
Emotions run high when a funeral throws Grace, Frankie, Robert and Sol together in public for the first time since the split.
Grace has an eye-opening experience when she goes out for frozen yogurt with Frankie and Brianna on a Saturday night.
Sol takes care of Frankie after she has an earthquake freak-out, while Grace goes on her first date. Coyote pays Mallory a surprise visit.
Frankie, Grace and Brianna have unexpected encounters when they try new ways to deal with being single.
Frankie takes a new look at her Yam Man Jacob, while Grace and Guy get closer. Bud and Coyote have a brotherly talk. Sol is terrified of Brianna.
Brianna tries Frankie's homemade organic beauty product. Robert finds out about Guy and Grace. Frankie tries to set boundaries with Sol.
After they sign the divorce papers, Frankie, Grace, Sol, Robert and Bud remember a pivotal weekend from five years before.
Grace tells Frankie a secret that Frankie shares with Sol, setting off multiple arguments in both houses. Brianna gets closer with a co-worker.
Bud and Coyote ask Brianna and Mallory to help them throw Sol and Robert's bachelor party. Grace offers to do ANYTHING to cheer up Frankie.
As the wedding day approaches, Grace and Robert have problems expressing themselves, while Sol and Frankie finally clear out their old house.
Sol plans to tell Robert about his betrayal. Frankie is determined to finally separate emotionally from Sol, but events pull her back in.
Brianna, Mallory and Bud help Sol deal with wedding details. A visit to Robert and Sol's house brings up strong emotions for Grace and Frankie.
Brianna wants to produce Frankie's organic yam lube. Grace competes for her grandchildren's affection. Frankie reconnects with her Yam Man, Jacob.
Frankie tracks down Grace's former love Phil on the internet, and the two set off to find him. Tensions arise between Sol and Robert.
Frankie has difficulty passing the test to renew her driver's license. Grace attempts to amp up her social life by reconnecting with old friends.
While Grace mentors a young woman seeking a new career, Frankie has conflicted feelings for Jacob, who wants more than a business relationship.
Grace intervenes after Robert and Sol's big fight. Frankie opens up to Jacob. An online friend request from Phil surprises Grace.
Frankie has issues with Brianna's ideas for her yam lube and makes a stand. Phil asks Grace out for lunch. Sol tries to work things out with Robert.
Coyote shares some surprising news. Things go awry when Frankie and Sol host a family brunch. Grace must make a difficult decision about Phil.
Grace and Phil get closer, but complications arise. Sol and Robert square off on opposite sides of the conflict between Frankie and Brianna.
Grace and Frankie nurse their emotional wounds: Frankie performs a ritual on the beach, and Grace goes out drinking. Bud and Coyote meet Jacob.
As Frankie helps her old friend Babe plan a big bash, she's faced with a troubling decision. Grace tries to make amends to Frankie.
Frankie and Grace receive surprise gifts from Babe that open new horizons for each of them. Sol reveals a long-held secret at Bud's birthday party.
Grace and Frankie try to get a bank loan to help start their new business. Frankie's art show is rife with family tensions and minor dramas.
Grace and Frankie pitch their business plan at a hip startup incubator. Grace fights with Jacob. Sol and Robert play hooky from work.
Grace and Frankie put together a focus group to test their vibrator prototype, but things go awry. Robert and Sol audition for a play.
After they're robbed, Frankie is rattled, but Grace has a secret. With Robert in rehearsals and making new friends, Sol feels left out.
Furious about Grace's revelation, Frankie refuses to make up with her. In the wake of his fight with Sol, Robert decides to come out to his mother.
Frankie refuses to go home, and all the kids are dragged into Grace and Frankie's fight. Grace, Brianna and Mallory smoke Frankie's pot together.
The ladies hurt their backs and can’t get off the floor. Coyote looks for a new home. Robert frets over unresolved issues with his mom.
Grace and Frankie launch their business, and Bud brings gifts they're reluctant to accept. Sol is upset that Bud wants to fire a longtime employee.
Jacob shares something with Frankie that upsets her. Everyone rallies around Robert when his mother dies. Mallory confides in Brianna.
Sol and Robert pitch in when Grace and Frankie are overwhelmed with orders. Bud is thrown for a loop by his girlfriend’s interest in the Ménage à Moi.
Grace and Frankie send a cease and desist letter to the company that stole their idea. A homophobic church group protests Robert's play rehearsals.
Grace wants Frankie to go to the hospital after a medical incident, but Frankie insists on alternative healing. The protests disrupt Robert's play.
Grace and Frankie face a lawsuit. Sol fights back against the homophobic play protesters. Frankie mulls over a move that would change everything.
Frankie feels left out of Grace's friendship with Sheree, her new lodger. Sol and Robert are arrested. Bud and Allison throw a gender-reveal party.
Frankie shares what she discovered about Sheree to a skeptical Grace. Bud sends everyone on a scavenger hunt. Frankie makes a big decision.
Grace and Frankie try to help Sheree get her house back ... using both legal and illegal methods. Robert is nominated for a Tappy acting award.
Grace fears her relationship has reached its expiration date. Frankie faces an existential crisis when she learns she's been declared legally dead.
Grace and Frankie hold vibrator pop-up sales at a senior center and a college. Sol and Robert have a disagreement. Bud and Allison hit a roadblock.
Frankie reconnects with someone important from her past. Despite problems with her knee, Grace refuses to slow down. Robert tries to make amends.
Frankie and Sol have a blast devising a plan to get Frankie declared legally alive again. Grace faces some truths at a funeral she attends with Robert.
Frankie convinces Allison to have a home birth. Grace and Frankie wind up stuck with a bickering Robert and Sol when there's a neighborhood lockdown.
Nick helps Grace while she's recovering from surgery. Jacob gets upset with Frankie because she wants to spend all their couple time with the baby.
![Gracie Film Online Subtitrat Gracie Film Online Subtitrat](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125570353/344066661.jpg)
Robert and Sol begin therapy. Grace and Frankie get a surprise when they bring gifts to a fan of their vibrators. Brianna's nemesis makes an offer.
Grace hires a contractor to fix an issue at the beach house. Sol's new friendship makes Robert uncomfortable. Frankie gets lost with the baby.
As Grace and Frankie deal with a major disaster in their home, they each keep secrets from other family members. Everyone attends Robert's play.
Prompted by their children, Grace and Frankie make a change. Robert and Sol channel some fresh energy into their marriage.
Grace and Frankie visit the beach house while their worried kids try to track them down. Robert and Sol are caught in an embarrassing situation.
Refusing to leave the beach house, Grace and Frankie get support from their ex-husbands -- who are having their own issues with an unexpected visitor.
Bud convinces Frankie to hire a home health aide. Grace fumes when she learns about Brianna’s changes to Say Grace. Robert hopes to influence Peter.
Grace and Brianna clash at work as Grace faces a tough day. With Joan-Margaret's help, Frankie fights ageism. Peter's casting decision shocks Robert.
An unexpected encounter sparks regret in Grace. Sol acts cagey about his new dog's origins. A stranger's ambush of Coyote leads to a revelation.
Frankie takes Grace on a girls trip, which isn't exactly the spa retreat Grace was expecting. Mallory goes on a date. An old friend rebuffs Frankie.
While Frankie worries she's lost her authenticity, Grace frets about Frankie's health. Bud's first meeting with Allison's father goes downhill fast.
Robert feels out of place with the younger guys at rehearsals. Grace doesn't like the new man in Frankie's life. Brianna must make a difficult choice.
When the Vybrant website goes down, Grace and Frankie must negotiate with a demanding man from Walden Villas. Sol becomes more assertive.
Grace takes extreme measures to keep up her hectic schedule. Sol and Frankie have a disagreement about Coyote. Frankie bonds with Robert over edibles.
While Frankie tries to dig herself out of the business mess she created, Grace comes up with a different solution. Brianna goes to bat for Barry.
Grace returns to town to find that Frankie has everything under control. Bud and Allison's wedding day arrives, but not without some family drama.
In the wake of their big fight, Grace and Frankie imagine what their lives would be like if they hadn't lived together for the last three years.
Available to download
Sitcoms, TV Comedies, US TV Shows
Heartfelt, Quirky
Jane FondaLily TomlinMartin SheenSam WaterstonJune Diane RaphaelBrooklyn DeckerEthan EmbryBaron Vaughn