“We didn’t expect more than three years”: Friends Writer Marta Kauffman Retraces the Journey of Netflix’s Longest Running Original, ‘Grace and Frankie’

“We didn’t expect more than three years”: Friends Writer Marta Kauffman Retraces the Journey of Netflix’s Longest Running Original, ‘Grace and Frankie’

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When Grace and Frankie debuted in 2015 it brought Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin together for the first time for a TV show that would soon become the oldest, longest-running original on Netflix. The delightful TV series deals with the subjects of aging, sexuality in older women, memory loss, and marginalization, but with a touch of comedy. It follows two best friends Grace and Frankie, who have only each other to lean on when their husbands leave them. 

Surprisingly, Marta Kauffman and Howard J Morris, the creators of the series, didn’t expect the show to go on as long as 7 seasons. 

Marta had hoped for three seasons at most 

Netflix is always interested in bringing new things so Marta hadn’t expected such overwhelming love. 

“We thought, “Oh, if we get five years, we’ll be so lucky,” she revealed. When she pitched the show to Netflix, they were just beginning to expand their originals. So it was the perfect time for the show to debut. In fact, when things started changing at the company – Netflix becoming more data-centric, it didn’t affect the show. The Friends writer had too much industry experience to know the show would click with multiple generations. 

“My theory is, if you have characters that you want to spend time with, that you care about, characters who you’re invested in, then people will watch. People aren’t watching ‘Grace and Frankie’ just because it’s about two older women. It’s a comfort show. They do it because it makes them feel good, and feel comfortable. “

ALSO READ: Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris Reveal How They Landed the Dolly Parton Cameo Opposite Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in Grace and Frankie Final Episode

Kaufmann on Grace and Frankie coming to an end

The streamer wanted to end the program and Marta was happy to. 

“We’ve told the stories we wanted to tell.” 

The show ended on a rather high note with a few sniffles here and there. And the fans were more or less happy with the conclusion.

“I can’t write for the world. We write for us, and hope that it translates.”

It could have ended sooner if the pandemic hadn’t halted the production for two years.

Did you like how Grace and Frankie ended?

ALSO READ: Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris Reverberate One Common Word as They Bid Farewell to Grace and Frankie

The post “We didn’t expect more than three years”: Friends Writer Marta Kauffman Retraces the Journey of Netflix’s Longest Running Original, ‘Grace and Frankie’ appeared first on Netflix Junkie.

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