The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Unpacking Seasons 4 & 5 – Plot, Cast, Finale Insights, and What’s Next for Midge
As 2022 began, fans of the critically acclaimed Prime Video series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, were treated to exciting news and bittersweet announcements. Just a day before the highly anticipated fourth season was set to debut, Prime Video confirmed the show’s renewal for a fifth season. However, this renewal came with the significant revelation that Season 5 would also be the series’ grand finale, marking the beginning of the end for Miriam “Midge” Maisel’s captivating journey in the world of stand-up comedy.
The announcement arrived after a considerably long wait for new episodes, largely due to the global COVID-19 pandemic affecting television productions worldwide. With Season 4 finally premiering on February 18, 2022, the confirmation of a fifth and final season immediately shifted fan conversations from anticipation for the current season to pondering the ultimate fate of Midge, Susie, and the entire Maisel and Weissman clans. This article compiles everything viewers need to know about the trajectory of the beloved show, from its upcoming seasons to the cast, plot developments, and the enduring legacy it promises to leave.
Like countless other productions, the filming of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4 faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Production in New York City finally commenced in January 2021, a full year after the show’s Season 4 renewal was first revealed in December 2019. This meant an exceptionally long hiatus for dedicated fans, making the wait for Midge’s return even more arduous. Expressing their gratitude and excitement at the time of the Season 4 renewal, creators and executive producers Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino released a statement saying, “We were thrilled to hear that for the fourth time, we do not have to pack up and vacate the premises. We’d like to thank Amazon for all their faith and support, their partnership and enthusiasm, and for letting us hang with our favorite people, the cast and crew of Maisel, for a little while longer.”
The series has consistently proven to be a global phenomenon for Amazon Prime Video. Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios, highlighted the show’s immense popularity in her statement regarding the Season 4 renewal, noting that the launch of Season 3 in December 2019 achieved the show’s “most-watched opening weekend ever.” Salke emphasized the unique charm and wit infused into the characters by Amy and Dan, anticipating that “our customers around the world will be delighted to have another season in the world of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” With Season 4 now streaming and Season 5 confirmed as the final chapter, fans eagerly await every detail concerning the cast, plot, and eventual conclusion of Midge’s journey.
Will There Be A ‘Mrs. Maisel’ Season 5?
Yes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is indeed returning for its fifth season, which will serve as the show’s much-anticipated finale. The renewal for the fifth and final season was officially announced on February 17, 2022, just hours before the Season 4 premiere. Production for this concluding chapter is already underway in the vibrant streets of New York City, promising an epic send-off for our beloved characters. Prime Video accompanied this significant announcement with a captivating photo featuring the inimitable Midge Maisel, signaling the beginning of the end for the Emmy-winning series.
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, reiterated the profound impact of the series in her statement regarding the final season: “Amy, Dan, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel have blazed an unparalleled path, elevating the stories we tell about women, challenging the norms in our industry, and forever altering the entertainment landscape with their one-of-a-kind storytelling.” Salke highlighted the show’s numerous accolades, stating, “The dozens of awards cement Maisel’s legacy in many ways, but what’s even more enduring and poignant are the characters Amy created and the joyous, brilliant, singular world she and Dan brought to life. This series has meant so much to Prime Video and the effects of its success will be felt long after its final season. I can’t wait for fans and our worldwide Prime Video audience to savor each moment as we embark on the culmination of this groundbreaking and unforgettable series.” This sentiment underscores the significant cultural and entertainment footprint The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has made since its debut.
‘Mrs. Maisel’ Season 4 Trailers and Teasers
The official Season 4 trailer, released by Prime Video on February 7, offered a compelling glimpse into Midge’s renewed determination. It opens with Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) confidently striding down a New York street, embodying an aura of fierce resolve. Her declaration to Susie (Alex Borstein) sets the tone for the season: “You know what’s great about me? It’s when I’m me. Every single show I’m going to say exactly what’s on my mind.” This statement signifies Midge’s intent to shed any constraints and embrace her authentic comedic voice, a direct response to the setbacks she faced at the end of Season 3.
Despite being left on the tarmac after being fired from Shy Baldwin’s tour, Midge’s ambition for greatness remains unshaken. She refuses to let a professional setback derail her dreams and is clearly ready to push boundaries, both in her comedy and her life. The trailer provided exciting glimpses of other beloved Mrs. Maisel characters, including Abe and Rose Weissman, Joel Maisel, the enigmatic Lenny Bruce, and many more, hinting at the intertwining storylines and character developments that would unfold throughout the season.
First Look at Season 4 Teasers: Midge’s New Path
The initial teaser for Season 4 focused intently on the dynamic duo of Midge and Susie. In the aftermath of the disastrous Shy Baldwin incident, Susie is seen grappling with the professional fallout, attempting to navigate their next steps. Midge, however, makes a bold and uncompromising declaration: “No more opening act gigs. I will only do gigs where I can say what I want. That’s what Lenny would do.” This statement reveals Midge’s desire to emulate the raw, uncensored style of Lenny Bruce, aiming for ultimate creative freedom.
Susie, ever the pragmatic manager, is initially taken aback by Midge’s audacious demand. She reminds Midge that Lenny Bruce is a unique figure, a groundbreaking comedian whose controversial style comes with its own set of risks and consequences. “Make me Lenny Bruce. Make me a headliner,” Midge retorts, showcasing her fierce ambition. When Susie points out that this isn’t how the industry operates, Midge’s response is defiant: “Then let’s change the business.” This exchange perfectly encapsulates Midge’s rebellious spirit and her unwavering commitment to carving out her own path, even if it means challenging the established norms of the 1960s entertainment world.
How To Watch ‘Mrs. Maisel’ Seasons 4 & 5
As with all its preceding installments, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4 premiered exclusively on Prime Video. Unlike previous seasons, which were typically released all at once, Season 4 adopted a new distribution model. Two brand-new episodes were released every Friday on Prime Video for four consecutive weeks, giving viewers a more serialized experience and extending the excitement of the season’s run. All previous three seasons of this award-winning series remain available for streaming on Prime Video, allowing both new and existing fans to revisit Midge’s origin story and her rapid ascent in the stand-up world before diving into the latest developments. The upcoming fifth and final season is also expected to follow a similar release pattern or a full season drop on Prime Video, ensuring it remains accessible to its global audience.
Season 4 Filming: Overcoming Pandemic Challenges
The production of Mrs. Maisel Season 4 was among the many television projects severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020, leading to a much longer hiatus between seasons than anticipated. In October 2020, series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino provided an update during a virtual panel discussion at the Woodstock Film Festival, announcing that filming was slated to resume on January 7, 2021. She detailed the extensive preparations underway: “Costume fittings are happening [now], sets are being built like mad. All of the stuff is happening,” she told TVLine. “We’re breaking our stories, we’re writing. And then in December we’re dragging the actors in and we’re going to table read the scripts. And then, come January 7, it’s, ‘On your mark, get set, go.’”
Executive producer Daniel Palladino also shed light on the logistical challenges at the same festival, revealing that Season 4 would incorporate “a lot more visual effects” to accommodate safety protocols. He recounted, “Last season, our premiere had 850 extras in an airplane hangar. We cannot do that.” Despite these significant hurdles, he assured fans that Season 4 would indeed happen, albeit in “a slightly different way,” emphasizing the creative solutions being implemented to maintain the show’s signature visual grandeur and intricate period detail while ensuring the safety of the cast and crew.
The cast, including lead actress Rachel Brosnahan, was actively involved in preparations leading up to the start of filming in early 2021. Speaking on SiriusXM’sThe Jess Cagle Show in December 2020, Rachel shared her excitement: “We were supposed to go back in June, and obviously it wasn’t safe to do that then.” She added, “I just actually came from a wig and shoe and hat fitting. Literally just 20 minutes ago, walked in the door.” Rachel humorously noted the extravagant wardrobe for the upcoming season, stating, “So, we are in the process of getting ready to go back hopefully safely in January, and are really, really excited. The hats are insane. The hats are out of control. We may have lost our minds with the hats this season.” Her comments highlighted the show’s commitment to its iconic period fashion, even amidst the challenges of production.
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Rachel gave fans a sneak peek into the pandemic-era production with an Instagram photo of her first costume fitting for Season 4 in September 2020. The image showed her masked, alongside the masked designers, wearing a stunning beige dress and an intricate black hat. Her caption read, “We’re slowly and safely getting back to it but first costume fitting is in the books,” providing a reassuring update that production was indeed moving forward with all necessary precautions.
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The official commencement of Season 4 filming was proudly announced by Rachel on January 20, 2021, via another Instagram post. She shared a photo commemorating the memorable day, with the caption: “It looks a little different this year…but we’re back! Working away on @maiseltv Season 4.” These updates provided much-needed excitement for fans who had been patiently awaiting Midge’s return to the screen. Subsequent paparazzi photos captured Rachel filming scenes in New York City on March 2, 2021, showcasing her in a striking pink coat and hat ensemble, complete with matching pink heels, holding an umbrella to shield her meticulously coiffed Midge hair. These images underscored the show’s continued dedication to its vibrant aesthetic and the demanding nature of its period production.
‘Mrs. Maisel’ Season 4 & 5 Cast: Familiar Faces and Exciting New Additions
The stellar ensemble cast of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is set to return for the culminating seasons, ensuring that fans will see their favorite characters’ stories reach their conclusions. Rachel Brosnahan will, of course, reprise her role as the indomitable Midge Maisel. She will be joined by the beloved core cast, including Emmy winner Alex Borstein as Midge’s tough-as-nails manager Susie Myerson, Michael Zegen as Midge’s estranged husband Joel Maisel, Tony Shalhoub as Midge’s intellectual father Abe Weissman, Marin Hinkle as her elegant mother Rose Weissman, Kevin Pollak as Joel’s jovial father Moishe Maisel, and Caroline Aaron as his effervescent wife Shirley Maisel. The return of these pivotal characters promises continued rich character development and the signature witty banter that the series is known for.
New Faces and Guest Stars
Season 4 brought exciting new additions and guest appearances to the Maisel universe. It was confirmed by TVLine on June 10 that fan-favorite actor Milo Ventimiglia would have a guest stint in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4. This appearance marked a delightful reunion between Ventimiglia and the Palladinos, as he rose to fame playing Jess Mariano in their earlier hit series, Gilmore Girls. While Amazon confirmed his guest-starring role, specific character details remained under wraps, fueling speculation among fans. Ventimiglia joins a growing list of Gilmore Girls alums who have appeared on Mrs. Maisel, including Alex Borstein, Emily Bergl, Liza Weil, and Brian Tarantina, a testament to the Palladinos’ loyal creative circle.
Further expanding the cast, Deadline reported that Reid Scott of Veep fame and Gideon Glick from Marriage Story would take on recurring roles in Season 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Similar to Ventimiglia’s role, detailed character information for Scott and Glick was not disclosed, but it was confirmed they would appear in “multi-episode arcs,” suggesting their characters would play significant roles in the season’s unfolding narratives. Their addition brought fresh talent and new dynamics to the already rich tapestry of characters in Midge’s world.
Returning Supporting Characters: Reggie, Mei, and Lenny Bruce
Among other notable characters, fans were hopeful for the return of Sterling K. Brown as Reggie, Shy Baldwin’s manager, following his pivotal role in Season 3. The This Is Us star expressed his willingness to return, telling Glamour, “Hopefully there will be room for me to revisit the show in the future.” Stephanie Hsu, who was introduced as Mei, Joel’s new love interest, in Season 3, also confirmed her return for Season 4. Amy Sherman-Palladino teased more interactions between Joel, Mei, and Midge, promising Glamour readers, “Oh, you’ll get them,” hinting at deepening complexities in Joel’s personal life and its potential impact on Midge.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated returns was that of Emmy winner Luke Kirby as the legendary comedian Lenny Bruce. Amy Sherman-Palladino confirmed to TVLine at the Woodstock Film Festival that he would be featured “a little bit more [in Season 4], which is great.” The dynamic between Midge and Lenny has been a consistent highlight, brimming with intellectual camaraderie and undeniable romantic tension. Season 3 culminated in a memorable “will-they-or-won’t-they” moment in Miami, where an intimate night out included drinks, dancing, and significant unspoken attraction. Midge’s direct challenge, “You’re still staring at me,” met with Lenny’s candid reply, “So are you,” encapsulated their complex, charged relationship.
Their near-romance reached a peak when they walked back to Lenny’s hotel room together. As Lenny held the door open, Midge hesitated, ultimately deciding to take a cab home. His poignant question, “Maybe someday? Before I’m dead?” met with her hopeful response, “It’s a date!” This unresolved tension and their explosive chemistry have kept fans eagerly hoping for their paths to finally converge, adding a layer of bittersweet anticipation given the historical fate of the real Lenny Bruce.
What Happened In Season 3? A Quick Recap
Season 3 concluded with a significant professional and personal blow for Midge and Susie. They were unceremoniously fired from the second leg of Shy Baldwin’s (LeRoy McClain) tour by his manager, Reggie. The devastating scene of Midge and Susie watching Shy’s plane take off without them underscored the abrupt end of a major career opportunity. This firing stemmed from Midge’s ill-advised jokes about Shy’s sexuality during her Apollo set, which inadvertently outed him as a gay man to the audience. Reggie later conceded that he shared some blame, having encouraged Midge to speak openly about Shy, but admitting he was unaware she knew about Shy’s sexual orientation.
Compounding this professional disaster was Susie’s escalating gambling problem. Unbeknownst to Midge, Susie had gambled away a significant portion of Midge’s earnings, money that Midge had earmarked for a down payment on her old apartment. In a desperate attempt to recoup the losses, Susie concocted a dangerous plan to burn down her deceased mother’s house to collect insurance money – a scheme fraught with peril and ethical quandaries. Crucially, Midge remains completely in the dark about Susie’s financial mismanagement and her increasingly desperate measures. Furthermore, Midge is unaware that Joel, her ex-husband, has been secretly managing her money at Susie’s insistence, adding another layer of deception and potential conflict to their already complicated relationship.
Season 4 Plot: The Aftermath of Defeat and New Beginnings
Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino confirmed that Season 4 would delve deep into the ramifications of Midge’s major career setback. “I think we’re going to pick up right after that,” Sherman-Palladino revealed to The Hollywood Reporter in August 2020. She hinted at the narrative approach, stating, “We may be doing a little jump within the season, but when we first start up we want to [stay in that time]. I mean, what’s the fun of totally destroying someone’s soul and heart and not getting to see the aftermath? That’s what comedy’s made of, soul-crushing defeat.” This promise meant Season 4 explored Midge’s emotional and professional recovery, her struggle to reclaim her footing, and the transformation that arises from hitting rock bottom.
In December 2020, even Rachel Brosnahan herself was in suspense about the upcoming plotlines. She admitted on Sirius XM’s The Jess Cagle Show, “I have absolutely no idea what’s happening… I am being a hundred percent honest. I haven’t seen a script. I haven’t seen anything.” Rachel’s honest admission highlighted the showrunners’ tight-lipped approach, ensuring that even the cast experienced the unfolding narrative with fresh eyes, much like the audience. “I have no idea what’s happening this season. So I am just as excited as everyone else to find out,” she concluded, echoing the anticipation shared by fans worldwide.
A potential time jump within Season 4 or leading into Season 5 could bring the show’s timeline closer to the real-life fate of Lenny Bruce, who tragically died of a morphine overdose at the young age of 40 in 1966. Such an event would undoubtedly have a profound and devastating impact on Midge, given their deep connection and mutual respect. Amy Sherman-Palladino has previously addressed the inevitable, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “The minute you put Lenny Bruce in it, you know where you’re going. You can’t pretend it’s not gonna happen.” She further elaborated that Lenny’s eventual demise could serve as a “cautionary tale” for Midge, highlighting the darker side of pursuing one’s dreams and the potential for careers to “go off the rails.” This thematic exploration would add a poignant, dramatic depth to the series’ comedic core as it approaches its conclusion.
Season 4 also explored the brewing tension between Midge and Susie. Susie’s gambling addiction and her disastrous handling of Midge’s finances are ticking time bombs. The reveal of Susie’s deceptions, coupled with Joel’s covert management of Midge’s money, is poised to trigger a significant conflict between the usually inseparable duo. Midge, known for her strong will and sense of justice, would undoubtedly feel betrayed, potentially leading to a serious falling out with Susie. Moreover, learning that Joel continued to manage her money without her knowledge, even if at Susie’s urging, could reignite their long-stalled divorce proceedings, adding another layer of personal upheaval to Midge’s life.
Meanwhile, Midge’s parents, Abe and Rose, continued to navigate their dramatically altered financial circumstances. Having lost their opulent Upper West Side apartment early in Season 3 after Abe resigned from his prestigious position at Columbia University, they adapted to a more modest life. With Abe now working as a theater critic for the Village Voice and Rose venturing into a new career as a matchmaker, it is highly unlikely that they will return to their former extravagant lifestyle anytime soon. Their journey represents a comedic yet heartfelt exploration of resilience and reinvention in the face of unexpected change, mirroring Midge’s own path.
As The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel heads into its final seasons, the stage is set for a powerful conclusion, exploring themes of ambition, friendship, family, and the cost of chasing a dream. Fans around the world are ready to laugh, cry, and ultimately bid farewell to Miriam Maisel, a character who has truly left her mark on the entertainment landscape.