Premise

The Bear follows Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, a talented chef de cuisine from New York City, who returns to his hometown of Chicago to run his late brother Michael's failing Italian beef sandwich shop, The Original Beef of Chicagoland. Carmy faces numerous challenges, including managing the restaurant's debts, a rundown kitchen, and an unruly staff, all while grappling with his own personal and family traumas.

Cast and Characters

Main Cast

• –Jeremy Allen White as Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto: An award-winning chef who returns to Chicago to manage his late brother's sandwich shop.
• –Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard "Richie" Jerimovich: Michael's best friend and the de facto manager of the restaurant.
• –Ayo Edebiri as Sydney "Syd" Adamu: A talented young chef who joins The Beef as its new sous-chef under Carmy.
• –Lionel Boyce as Marcus Brooks: The restaurant's bread-baker-turned-pastry-chef, mentored by Carmy.
• –Liza Colón-Zayas as Tina Marrero: A seasoned line cook who embraces the opportunity to train professionally.
• –Abby Elliott as Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto: Carmy and Michael's sister, who becomes the reluctant co-owner and business manager of the restaurant.
• –Matty Matheson as Neil Fak: A childhood friend of the Berzattos and occasional handyman for the restaurant.
• –Edwin Lee Gibson as Ebraheim: A veteran line cook at The Beef who is close with Tina.

Production

Development

FX ordered a pilot for The Bear in March 2021, written and directed by series creator Christopher Storer. The series was greenlit in October 2021 for a 2022 premiere. The interior of the sandwich shop is modeled after Mr. Beef on Orleans Street in Chicago's River North neighborhood, a favorite of Storer and owned by his friend Christopher Zucchero.

In July 2022, the series was renewed for a ten-episode second season. Subsequent renewals followed, with the third season released on June 26, 2024, and the fourth season on June 25, 2025. A fifth season was announced in July 2025.

Music

The series features a soundtrack of 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s alternative and mainstream rock classics, chosen by Storer and executive producer Josh Senior. Notable tracks include songs by Wilco, Radiohead, Van Morrison, Pearl Jam, and Sufjan Stevens.

Reception

The Bear has received critical acclaim for its writing, directing, performances, and production values. The series holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 83 out of 100 on Metacritic. It has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the restaurant industry and its exploration of themes such as grief and family dynamics.

Accolades

The series has garnered numerous awards, including:

• –Primetime Emmy Awards: 21 wins, including Outstanding Comedy Series and acting awards for Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri.
• –Golden Globe Awards: Five wins, including Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
• –Screen Actors Guild Awards: Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Genre Classification

The classification of The Bear as a comedy in certain award ceremonies has attracted criticism, given its dramatic style and focus on heavy topics. Some argue that the series' tone and content are predominantly dramatic rather than comedic, suggesting a reclassification to better reflect its themes.

Release

The Bear premiered on FX on Hulu in the United States on June 23, 2022, and became available internationally in the Star hub on Disney+. The second season was released on June 22, 2023, the third season on June 26, 2024, and the fourth season on June 25, 2025. The series was renewed for a fifth season in July 2025.

Episodes

Season 1 (2022)

• –Episode 1: "System"
• –Episode 2: "Hands"
• –Episode 3: "Brigade"
• –Episode 4: "Dogs"
• –Episode 5: "Sheridan"
• –Episode 6: "Ceres"
• –Episode 7: "Review"
• –Episode 8: "Bolognese"

Season 2 (2023)

• –Episode 1: "Beef"
• –Episode 2: "Pasta"
• –Episode 3: "Bread"
• –Episode 4: "Fish"
• –Episode 5: "Chicken"
• –Episode 6: "Napkins"
• –Episode 7: "Forks"
• –Episode 8: "Fishes"
• –Episode 9: "Omelette"
• –Episode 10: "The Bear"

Season 3 (2024)

• –Episode 1: "Doors"
• –Episode 2: "Honeydew"
• –Episode 3: "Sundae"
• –Episode 4: "Cabbage"
• –Episode 5: "Potatoes"
• –Episode 6: "Figs"
• –Episode 7: "Peppers"
• –Episode 8: "Lamb"
• –Episode 9: "Pears"
• –Episode 10: "Tomorrow"

Season 4 (2025)

• –Episode 1: "Apples"
• –Episode 2: "Berries"
• –Episode 3: "Cherries"
• –Episode 4: "Dates"
• –Episode 5: "Eggplant"
• –Episode 6: "Fennel"
• –Episode 7: "Grapes"
• –Episode 8: "Honey"
• –Episode 9: "Iceberg"
• –Episode 10: "Jalapeño"