Running a grimy sandwich joint is no easy feat, and opening a new restaurant is even harder, as we learnt in season three of FX’s The Bear.
The binge-worthy show is a gripping tale of ambition, family, and the chaos of the culinary world. It follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), an award-winning chef with a troubled past. Inheriting his brother’s sandwich shop, he navigates grief, strained family relationships and a ragtag bunch of cooks.
Season four of The Bear premiered on Thursday, June 26, 2025, and the show was officially renewed for a fifth season in July 2025. We’ve got all the details you need, from the plot and cast to where you can watch The Bear in New Zealand.
Stream The Bear now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
What is The Bear about?
Season 1 of The Bear begins with Carmy Berzatto returning to Chicago to manage his late brother Michael’s deteriorating sandwich shop, ‘The Original Beef of Chicagoland’. Struggling with grief and burdened by financial woes, Carmy introduces a professional kitchen structure to the disgruntled staff, including ambitious sous chef Sydney Adamu and the blunt Richie, his late brother Mikey’s best friend.
In the season one finale, Carmy realises Mikey had more faith in him than he ever thought. Carmy discovers a cryptic note that reads “let it rip”, discovering Mikey has left him large sums of cash hidden in food cans around the restaurant. Carmy renames the restaurant ‘The Bear’, and with a renewed focus, he begins the work to revive it.
Season two of The Bear follows Carmy’s progress in transforming ‘The Bear’ into a fine-dining spot. The story balances culinary experimentation with personal dramas, and Carmy rekindles an old romance but struggles with the pressure of reopening The Bear.
Season three of The Bear sees the crew striving to stay in business. Carmy pushes himself harder than ever, and the emotional toll of his past catches up while Sydney contemplates her future. The finale leaves the season on a suspenseful note, with viewers wondering the restaurant’s fate and what the characters will do next.
Watch the season four trailer below:
Who is in the cast?
The Bear stars Jeremy Allen White (Shameless) as Carmy, Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Girls) as restaurant manager and Carmy’s cousin Richie Jerimovich, Ayo Edebiri as sous chef Sydney (Law & Order), and Abby Elliott as Carmy’s sister Natalie ‘Sugar’ Berzatto.
Joining them in recurring roles as kitchen staff include Lionel Boyce as Marcus, Liza Colón-Zayas as Tina, Edwin Lee Gibson as Ebraheim and Matty Matheson as ‘Fak’.
Why is The Bear series so popular?
It’s largely due to its realistic portrayal of professional kitchen life, set against an intense and emotionally charged backdrop. The storytelling is raw and unfiltered, resulting in chaos driven by dysfunctional relationships and flawed, yet endearing characters.
The critically acclaimed series has earned numerous accolades, including at the Emmy Awards.
When did season 4 premiere?
All ten episodes of season four dropped on Thursday, 26 June.
The lead stars have hinted that some of season four may have been shot during season three to accommodate the lead actors’ busy schedules.
Will there be a season 5 of The Bear?
Yes, it was announced in July 2025 that The Bear has been renewed for a fifth season. According to reports, Season 5 will premiere sometime in 2026.
Where can I watch The Bear in New Zealand?
Seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4 of The Bear are available to stream exclusively on Disney+.
Stream The Bear now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
