‘The Bear’ Drops Surprise Prequel Episode ‘Gary’ Featuring Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal
Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal in 'The Bear' FX ON HULU
FX’s The Bear surprises fans with a standalone prequel episode titled “Gary,” diving into Richie and Mikey’s past in an emotionally charged hour co-written by Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal.
FX’s The Bear has quietly expanded its narrative universe ahead of its upcoming fifth season with the surprise release of a prequel episode titled “Gary,” now available on Hulu. The standalone hour-long installment shifts the timeline backward, focusing on Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Jon Bernthal) in a formative story set before the events of the main series.
The episode follows the pair on a trip to Gary, Indiana, offering a grounded, character-driven look at their relationship prior to the fractured emotional landscape that defines the core series. Rather than functioning as a traditional episodic bridge, “Gary” operates more like a self-contained character study, expanding the emotional foundation of both figures without relying on the broader restaurant chaos that typically drives The Bear forward.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal in 'The Bear' FX ON HULU
Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal not only star in the episode but also co-wrote it, marking a rare creative collaboration within the series’ production structure. The episode is directed by The Bear creator Christopher Storer, reinforcing the show’s continued emphasis on auteur-driven storytelling even within its experimental narrative detours.
Moss-Bachrach announced the release via Instagram, describing the production as a deeply personal creative experience and highlighting the collaboration with the local community in Gary, Indiana, as well as Chicago — the series’ long-standing narrative and cultural anchor point. The episode also arrives while both Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal are currently appearing together on Broadway in a stage adaptation of Dog Day Afternoon, adding another layer of artistic intersection to their collaboration.
The surprise drop arrives during a transitional period for The Bear, which is expected to return for its fifth season this summer. While FX has not officially confirmed the series’ conclusion, it has been widely assumed by cast members and industry observers that the upcoming season may serve as the show’s final chapter, especially following statements from Jamie Lee Curtis earlier this year suggesting the end of production is near.
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Originally conceived with a four-season arc, according to series lead Jeremy Allen White, the show was later extended after FX renewed it for a fifth season shortly after season four premiered. That extension has allowed the series to continue exploring its expanding ensemble while maintaining its core focus on emotional fragmentation, ambition, and legacy within the restaurant world.
Across its run, The Bear has become one of FX’s most critically decorated series, earning 21 Emmy Awards to date, including Outstanding Comedy Series and multiple acting wins for its ensemble cast. With season four set to enter this year’s Emmy race and the fifth season expected to follow in 2027 eligibility, the show remains positioned as one of television’s most dominant prestige comedies — even as it continues to blur genre boundaries.
Alongside Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal, the series stars Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, and Corey Hendrix. Executive production is led by Christopher Storer, alongside Josh Senior, Joanna Calo, Cooper Wehde, Tyson Bidner, Matty Matheson, Hiro Murai, and Rene Gube, with Courtney Storer serving as co-executive producer and culinary producer.
With “Gary,”The Bear continues to expand its storytelling language beyond the kitchen, using standalone narrative experimentation to deepen character mythology while reinforcing the emotional roots that define the series.
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