Grace and Frankie

• Jane Fonda as Grace Hanson, (née Purcell), a no-nonsense cosmetics mogul who likes to drink martinis and always has a clever comment or (more often than not) insult to throw your way. After years of conflict, she and Frankie have become best friends. Grace is also mother of Brianna and Mallory, grandmother to Madison, Macklin and the twins, ex-wife of Robert and later wife of Nick.
• Lily Tomlin as Frances "Frankie" Bergstein (née Mengela) a goofy artist who “rides her own wave” and often finds herself in hilarious situations that Grace has to rescue her from. Creative and spiritual, Frankie cares very deeply about her loved ones and would do anything to protect them. She is Grace's best friend, Bud & Coyote's adoptive mother, Faith's grandmother, Allison's mother-in-law and Sol's ex-wife.
• Sam Waterston as Sol Bergstein, a sweet, gentle ex-divorce lawyer turned activist for gay rights. Sol was married to Frankie for 40 years but for half of his marriage he was in love with another man, Robert, and eventually the two couldn't hide it any longer. Sol is also Robert's husband, Bud & Coyote's adoptive father, Faith's grandfather, Allison's father-in-law and Frankie's ex-husband.
• Martin Sheen as Robert Hanson, a successful divorce lawyer who threw himself into theatre following retirement. He was married to Grace for 40 years and the couple had two daughters, Brianna & Mallory. However, Robert soon began to fall for another man, Sol, and the feeling was mutual. Eventually the two couldn't hide it any longer and told their respective wives. Robert is Sol's husband, Grace's ex-husband, Brianna & Mallory's father, grandfather to Macklin, Madison and the twins and close friend to Peter.
• Brooklyn Decker as Mallory Hanson, second-born daughter to Grace & Robert, younger sister to Brianna and mother to Madison, Macklin and the twins. At the start of the series, she is married to Mitch, but the two divorce in season 3. She is also stepdaughter to Nick.
• Ethan Embry as Coyote Bergstein, second-born adoptive child of Frankie & Sol, younger brother to Bud, uncle to Faith and ex-boyfriend to Nadia.
• June Diane Raphael as Brianna Hanson, first-born child of Robert & Grace who now runs Say Grace, a successful cosmetics company that Grace gave her after retiring. Brianna leads the company as CEO and is never afraid to call someone out for anything. Sharp, impatient and fiery, Brianna resembles her mother personalitywise more than her sister, Mallory. Bri is also the girlfriend (later fiancée) to Barry, aunt to Mallory's kids, arch rival to Lauren and stepdaughter to Nick.
• Baron Vaughn as Nwabudike "Bud" Bergstein, first-born adoptive child of Frankie & Sol, older brother to Coyote, father to Faith and Allison's husband. Similar to Brianna, Bud was left his law firm by his father, Sol, after the latter retired.

In March 2014, Netflix finalized a deal for a 13-episode straight-to-series order for Grace and Frankie, with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin attached to star in the lead roles. The series was written and created by Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris, who also serve as executive producers alongside Fonda, Tomlin, Paula Weinstein and Tate Taylor, and Skydance Productions' Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, and Marcy Ross.[6]

On May 26, 2015, Netflix renewed the series for a second season[7] which premiered on May 6, 2016.[8] On December 10, 2015, the series was renewed for a third season[9] which premiered on March 24, 2017.[10] On April 12, 2017, the series was renewed for a fourth season, which premiered on January 19, 2018.[11][12] On February 15, 2018, the series was renewed for a fifth season.[13]

Casting announcements began in June 2014, with Martin Sheen cast in the role of Robert, Grace's husband.[14] The following month, Sam Waterston was cast in the role of Sol, Frankie's husband.[15] June Diane Raphael and Baron Vaughn were then added to the cast, with Raphael cast in the role of Brianna, Grace and Robert's elder daughter, who rebels against Grace's decorum. Vaughn signed onto the role of Nwabudike, Frankie and Sol's son.[16] Shortly afterwards, Ethan Embry and Brooklyn Decker were cast in the remaining roles on the series. Embry joined in the role of Coyote, Frankie and Sol's recovering drugaddicted son, while Decker signed onto the role of Mallory, Grace and Robert's younger daughter.[17] In October 2015, it was announced Sam Elliott would appear in the second season as Grace's love interest.[18] In April 2017, it was reported Lisa Kudrow will appear in the fourth season as Sheree, Grace's manicurist.[11] In February 2018, the same day as the fifth season was commissioned, RuPaul was confirmed to appear in the fifth season as a rival of Grace and Frankie.[13]

Production on season one of Grace and Frankie began in Los Angeles, California, in early August 2014, and ended in late November.[19] Production on season two of the series began in July 2015, and ended in November the same year.[20][21]

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin's performances on the series have received critical acclaim.

The first season of Grace and Frankie received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it has a rating of 56%, based on 39 reviews, with an average rating of 6.42/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Grace and Frankie's stellar cast adds an undeniable appeal, although its sloppy dialogue and clichéd sitcom setup will still leave most viewers wanting."[34] On Metacritic the season has a score of 58 out of 100, based on 27 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[35]

The second season received a more positive reception from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 91%, based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 7.34/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Grace & Frankie gets better with age in a heartwarming, character driven second season full of humor that is both fun and obnoxious."[36] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 62 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[37] Jasef Wisener of TVOvermind gave the second season a 4.5/5, calling it "heartfelt and hilarious" and "a huge improvement over the sometimes sluggish first season."[38]

The third, fourth, and fifth season each have 100% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes with average ratings of 7.5/10,[39] 8.42/10.[40] and 6.33/10[41] respectively. The site's critical consensus for season five reads, "Five seasons in, Grace & Frankie remain blissfully at the top of their game, thanks to Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin's undeniable bond."[41]