FX has officially renewed The Bear for a fifth season, giving the Chicago production community another reason to fire up the flat tops and keep the cameras rolling.
Following the June 25 drop of all ten episodes of Season 4 on Hulu, The Bear continues to be a massive hit both critically and commercially, and perhaps more importantly, it remains one of the most vital shows being shot right here in the Windy City.
Created by Park Ridge’s Christopher Storer and produced by FX Productions, The Bear has become a cultural phenomenon, mixing anxiety-inducing kitchen chaos with heartfelt drama, and putting a powerful spotlight on the city’s culinary and creative scene. For local crew, talent, restaurants, and small businesses, the show’s renewal is not just a win — it’s a lifeline.
“Year-in and year-out, Chris Storer, the producers, cast and crew make The Bear one of the best shows on television,” said FX chairman John Landgraf. “We are excited that they will continue to tell this magnificent story.”
Season 4 picked up with Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) navigating the pressure cooker of their upscale restaurant, The Bear, now open for business and under the weight of expectation. Supporting cast includes Chicago favorites like Oliver Platt, Matty Matheson, and Liza Colón-Zayas — not to mention real-life culinary cameos that make each season a Michelin-starred Easter egg hunt.
Despite rumors that the cast’s Hollywood trajectories might pull them away — with White suiting up as Bruce Springsteen, Edebiri taking the spotlight in multiple upcoming features, and Moss-Bachrach entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe — the ensemble is coming back for more. And so is Chicago.
For those keeping score: The Bear earned 23 Emmy nominations in 2024 and took home 11 — the most ever for a comedy series in a single year. Season 3 is poised to repeat that domination.
Just as Chicago has embraced The Chi and One Chicago, The Bear as hometown heroes, this renewal further cements the city’s reputation as a world-class production hub. With its blend of gritty realism and heartfelt chaos, The Bear continues to serve up more than just drama — it’s serving opportunity for the city’s artists, crews, and storytellers.
When Would Production Begin?
Despite the official greenlight, The Bear Season 5 isn’t firing up the grill just yet. Variety reports that no scripts have been written for the upcoming season, though creator Christopher Storer is said to have a clear narrative direction in mind. This development suggests a potential shift away from the show’s tight production rhythm.
Seasons 3 and 4 were filmed back-to-back, allowing the series to stick to its consistent annual June rollout — a rare luxury in the binge-and-wait world of streaming. Since its debut in 2022, The Bear has been as reliable as your favorite corner beef stand: one drop a year, no missed orders. But with the writers’ room still quiet, fans — and local crew — may be facing a longer wait than usual.
Still, if history has taught us anything, it’s that great things come to those who mise en place.
Yes, chef. Season 5 is on the menu.
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