Running a grimy sandwich joint is no easy feat, and opening a new restaurant is even harder, as we’ve learnt from the past four seasons of FX’s The Bear.
The binge-worthy, Emmy Awards-winning show tells 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 struggles with grief, strained family relationships and a ragtag bunch of cooks.
The fifth and final season of The Bear premiered on Friday, June 26, 2026. Here are all the juicy details, including the plot, cast, and where to watch The Bear in New Zealand.
Stream The Bear now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
What happens in seasons one to four of The Bear?
Season 1 of The Bear starts with Carmy Berzatto coming back to Chicago to take over his late brother Michael’s struggling sandwich shop, ‘The Original Beef of Chicagoland.’ Dealing with grief and financial problems, Carmy rolls out a new order to the unhappy staff, including the driven sous chef, Sydney Adamu, and Richie, Mikey’s best friend.
At the end of season one, Carmy discovers that Mikey believed in him more than he realised. Carmy finds a mysterious note that says “let it rip” and learns Mikey left him large sums of cash hidden in food cans around the restaurant. Carmy changes the restaurant’s name to ‘The Bear’ and starts working to bring it back to life.
Season two follows Carmy’s attempts to turn ‘The Bear’ into a fine-dining restaurant. The story mixes cooking experiments with personal drama, and Carmy reconnects with an old flame.
In season three, the team works hard to keep the restaurant open. Carmy pushes himself to the limit, and his past starts to affect him, while Sydney thinks about her future. The season ends on a suspenseful note, leaving viewers curious about the restaurant’s fate.
In season four, Carmy and the team must decide whether to pursue a Michelin star while dealing with serious financial stress. We won’t spoil the ending, but it’s definitely intense.
What happens in season five of The Bear?
The story starts with Sydney, Richie and Natalie discovering some bad news about Carmy. Will they keep the restaurant afloat and finally earn a Michelin star, or will the ship sink altogether?
Watch the official season five 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. Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Donna, the Berzatto family’s matriach.
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.
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.
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