Summary
-
The Bear
‘s realistic portrayal of kitchen life and themes of grief, found-family, and purpose resonate with audiences. - Cast members discuss the importance of belonging and the complexity of both biological and found families in the show.
- The cast values the impact of their work and the connections with fans, rather than focusing on awards.
FX’s The Bear surprised everyone when it became the show of the summer after its debut in 2022, and the cast have given their answers as to why audiences resonate so much with the show’s broken characters. Following world renowned chef Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) as he returns to his family’s sandwich shop after the death of his brother, The Bear has been described as the most realistic representation of the reality of working in a kitchen. If that wasn’t stressful enough, the series, created by Christopher Storer, tackles themes of grief, found-family, purpose, and joy, all stewing together to create a beautifully stressful watch.
Speaking to Good Morning America about the now-available third season, Jeremy Allen White, Abby Elliott, Ayo Edebiri, and Liza Colón-Zayas, gave their thoughts as to why fans have resonated so strongly with the show’s characters. White began, touching on the show’s themes of belonging and togetherness as all the chefs at the failing Beef of Chicagoland sandwich shop combine their passion for food to keep the dying business alive. White said:
“I think that feeling of belonging and loneliness met by the need for belonging. And then feeling like you’re part of something bigger than yourself. That’s such a human and universal thing.”
Set in a Chicago sandwich shop, The Bear follows Carmy Berzatto, a young professionally trained chef who returns to take over his family business after the unexpected death of his brother. At odds with many of the shop’s employees due to his culinary training, Carmy struggles to maintain order and keep the shop from failing entirely. Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmy alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ayo Edebiri.
Release Date June 23, 2022
Abby Elliott, who plays Carmy’s sister, Natalie ‘Sugar’ Berzatto, agreed with her co-star. The actress and Saturday Night Live veteran focused on the show’s theme of family, both biological and found. As well as building a close bond with the chefs at the restaurant, the Berzattos have a complicated family life – which is depicted beautifully in the show’s best episode, centering on a Berzatto family Christmas. Elliott said:
“We have our family, the Berzattos, that we grew up in, and the trauma that came with that. And then we have the chosen family, and I think people really responded to that.”
The Bear’s Cast Aren’t Focused on Awards
Across its two seasons, The Bear has racked up numerous awards for the show, its creators, and the cast. The series has won 10 Primetime Emmys (so far), and countless other awards. However, the cast isn’t focused on the awards, believing them to be a detrimental target for the overall quality of the show. Liza Colón-Zayas, who plays veteran chef Tina, explained:
I don’t think that’s what you can be focusing on and create what we have.
Related The Bear Star Is Frustrated by Being Called ‘Cousin’ All Day
Ebon Moss-Bacharach sometimes struggles with fans forgetting he’s a person and actor and just seeing him as “cousin.”
Her co-star, Ayo Edebiri, who plays talented Sous Chef Sydney, agreed. Edebiri’s career has skyrocketed recently, thanks in part to her starring role on The Bear. Despite the countless awards and magazine spreads she’s earned, the actress said that working on a show like The Bear is rewarding enough. Edebiri said:
“Getting to do this work is a gift. Also, getting to have people really feel impacted by it and, you know, moved by it, that’s the gift on top of the gift.”
The Bear
Seasons 1 – 3 can be streamed on Hulu. Check out the latest trailer below:
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