
On June 23 Hulu and FX released the entire 8 episode series, The Bear, about a classically trained, world class chef, played by Shameless’ Jeremy Allen White, who takes over a small, yet popular Chicago sandwich shop, left to him by his brother (Jon Bernthal) who died by suicide.
The restaurant based dramady became an instant hit featuring guest stars Oliver Platt (Chicago Med’s Dr. Daniel Charles) appearing in 2 episodes as Uncle Jimmy, Amy Morton (Chicago P.D.’s Trudy Platt) appearing in Episode 1 as the health inspector, and John Hughes’ muse for Chicago based 80’s films, Molly Ringwald appearing in Episode 3 as the Al-Anon counselor.
With the series’ break out success for a summer release, many are asking if and when we can expect a second season. Unfortunately, for now, Hulu and FX have not yet announced if they intend to film or release any additional seasons.
Fans of the show have taken to Twitter to share their excitement for the restaurant show we didn’t know we needed in our lives and are already begging for a second season:
@FXNetworks Please green light season 2 of The Bear. Please and thank you.
— dabdabadoo1 (@dabdabadoo11) June 27, 2022
The Bear (FX show on Hulu) is a masterpiece. 8 quick episodes for anyone looking for a binge watch.
— Tyler (@_TyConlin) June 28, 2022
Petition for a season 2 ASAP.@FXNetworks
need everyone to watch the bear so I can get a season 2 pic.twitter.com/ucKohr3Q0l
— ⋆。°✩ (@MEGSSDIARIES) June 28, 2022
The bear needs a season 2 amazing cinematography and amazing story very relatable with stress and anxity its a beautiful show and i just started last night pic.twitter.com/nr8Kq90pq2
— Devin Kemp (@Devin5kemp) June 30, 2022
yes maybe i watched The Bear because of this image however the show was fucking amazing all around and i need a season 2 so everyone go watch it pic.twitter.com/HF1K6S7qMK
— tay (@taylorewalkerr) June 30, 2022
My whole TL tweeting about The Bear IKTR. I better get a season 2 announcement early next week @FXNetworks
— 504 Gateway Time-out (@Foutanienne) June 26, 2022
@FXNetworks @hulu @Disney #TheBearFX The Bear is a hit as far as I'm concerned. I'm in the industry and your show is authentic, and touched me as a restaurant professional of multiple Michelin starred restaurants over the past 2 decades. Definitely looking forward to a season 2.
— Papa Brain (@AngrySince87) June 23, 2022
While many are praising the show for its accurate portrayal of life in the kitchen, Chicagoans with an eye for detail are having some issues with the accuracy of the portrayal of the city.
All the Chicago details from The Bear feels like everyone involved was from Indiana.
— Ali Thee Emmy Winner (@wtflanksteak) June 24, 2022
I've been informed that The Bear portrays River North as a gritty neighborhood at risk of gentrification
— Luca Harsh (@lucaisharsh) June 23, 2022
I'm kind of impressed that they made a show set in Chicago without talking to anyone who has lived here for any amount of time
the only low star rating of The Bear that's actually worth anything
— Machinebread Tetsgluten- DMLSP (@Dm_LSP) June 29, 2022
"I wish the lead actor had a Chicago accent. He says "R" like he's from Brooklyn."
the fact that The Bear thinks Sufjan’s Chicago is a better song to represent the city than Kanye’s Homecoming in a montage that features Obama tells you everything you need to know about this whitewashed image of chicago brought to you by evanston’s best and brightest
— ashley ray (@theeashleyray) June 23, 2022
How did homie from Shameless work and live in Chicago FOR YEARS, and then turn around in a show so incorrectly Chicago as THE BEAR?!!!
— cher vincent (@chermusings) June 24, 2022
So The Bear gets enough details right where there’s a photo of The Hungry Hound on the wall of the beef shop, but then has the Chicago Health Department give a letter grade after inspection like it’s NY or LA? This is why we have a chip on our shoulder
— Jenny Pfäfflin (@jennypfafflin) June 30, 2022
My beef with The Bear is that it’s trying too hard at the Chicago thing. Every cliché makes an appearance and sometimes it’s overkill.
— Liz Garibay (@LizGaribayChi) June 30, 2022
Also, it’s a beef stand. There’s no way they’d be making nor serving fancy ass dishes at a joint like this.
ok, you know what actually The Bear is a very necessary and important show, even if it does not get chicago right and is perhaps an insult to the city, i realize now the actual plot is this and it deserves an A https://t.co/BLBOeavXM2
— ashley ray (@theeashleyray) June 28, 2022
Of course, not every person from Chicago is criticizing the show and there are plenty of Tweets from Chicagoans (or people claiming they know Chicago) praising The Bear:
Just started watching The Bear and I’m averaging one “Chicago, baby!” every minute and a half
— hazel @ reva sevander wife club (@gayswordfight) June 30, 2022
Just finished The Bear! Those last two episodes were delicious and made me miss Chicago a whole lot.
— koe (@hellokoe) June 30, 2022
I’m watching The Bear and hearing people yell in a Chicago accent made my blood pressure rise so yeah sure I’d say it’s accurate
— carly rae jeppson’s ✨ (@frogwife) June 29, 2022
Applaud The Bear for its attention to detail of putting a picture of Steve Dolinsky (the hungry hound) on the walls of the fictional restaurant. It goes by in a flash but it’s a nod to all Chicago foodies.
— Michael Zhou (@michaelzhou) June 29, 2022
I started watching The Bear on Hulu. The only Chicago inaccuracy I've picked up so far is that Richie should be wearing a 20 year old Konerko jersey at all times.
— James ???? (@GodsChosenJames) June 30, 2022
I don’t think I have ever seen a show assert itself with such confidence and dominance in their first episode as The Bear. This is a show that grabs you by the balls, I was hooked in five minutes. I may not have worked in a kitchen, but I know Chicago. This is Chicago. #TheBearFX
— Jefferi XCX (@starwart1) June 29, 2022
A few new shows I recommend and why:
— Terry Schilling (@tschill86) June 29, 2022
1. The Bear on Hulu – one of the most authentic Chicago shows in recent memory and the writing, acting and way the camera cuts to build tension is great.
Is anyone else (when we’re not weeping over Roe and minority rule) watching “The Bear” on Hulu? It’s a love song to Chicago, its people, its food. It’s difficult, charming, funny, heartbreaking. #thebear #chicago #hulu
— Anne Moore (@bookgossip) June 27, 2022
Malört, Wilco and @MollyRingwald
— Ramble on Rosenblum (@sandysternshein) June 30, 2022
The Bear officially passes the Chicago three factor authentication test.
Regardless of how accurately Chicago is portrayed in The Bear, the show is clearly striking a nerve with fans both in Chicago, as well as across the nation.
In addition to Jeremy Allen White, this half-hour series stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce and Liza Colón-Zayas, with Edwin Lee Gibson and Matty Matheson in recurring roles.
The Bear was created by Christopher Storer (Ramy, Eighth Grade), who also serves as executive producer alongside Joanna Calo (BoJack Horseman, Undone), Hiro Murai (Atlanta, Station Eleven) and Nate Matteson (Station Eleven, The Choe Show) of Super Frog and Josh Senior, with Tyson Bidner (Ramy) serving as producer and Matty Matheson as co-producer. The series is produced by FX Productions and is streaming now, exclusively on Hulu.