Renewal comes less than a week after the premiere of season 4
The American paid channel FX and Disney+ announced the renewal of “The Bear” for its 5th season. The announcement was made this Tuesday (7/1), less than a week after the premiere of the show’s fifth season, which was released last Wednesday (6/25). With new episodes expected to debut in 2026, the production will continue following its annual release pace—a pattern increasingly rare in streaming.
“O Urso continues to be a fan favorite around the world, and the response to this season — as seen through incredibly high viewership — has been just as spectacular as any of its previous seasons,” said John Landgraf, CEO of FX.
In an official statement, the executive added: “Year after year, Chris Storer, the producers, cast, and crew make ‘The Bear’ one of the best television shows, and we are excited that they will continue to tell this wonderful story.”
Cast commitments threatened continuity
Despite the enthusiastic critical reception and growing audience, the series did not have its renewal guaranteed due to the leading actors’ schedules, all of whom were in high demand following the show’s success.
Jeremy Allen White, who plays Carmy, is Oscar-nominated for his performance in “Springsteen: Save Me from the Unknown,” portraying singer Bruce Springsteen. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who portrays Richie, has been cast to join the MCU in the new “Fantastic Four,” while Ayo Edebiri, who plays Sydney, is involved in projects with filmmakers such as Luca Guadagnino and James L. Brooks.
What does the end of Season 4 say about the future of the series?
The final episode of Season 4 – all episodes were released simultaneously on Disney+ – left a question mark regarding the future of the restaurant run by the protagonists, while closing several narrative arcs that could suggest a planned ending. The outcome fueled speculation that the series would end at its peak, which increased the surprise and impact of the announcement of a new season.
The series has already won 21 Emmys and is favored for more.
The plot follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), and Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they strive to transform a family restaurant into a Michelin-star-worthy establishment. In Brazil, all episodes are available on Disney+.
In its 1st season, the series won Emmys for Best Comedy, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, as well as Best Direction and Best Writing. In its 2nd year, it won again in the acting and direction categories, but lost the main comedy award to “Hacks.”
Currently, the production is competing for the 2025 Emmy with its 3rd season, even though its 4th season has already been released. The competition has reignited debates regarding its classification as a comedy, especially since the show’s tone is clearly dramatic. The confusion arises due to the episodes’ running time, around 30 minutes, which, according to American television industry standards, defines it as a “comedy.” Dramas are supposed to last more than 40 minutes. Based solely on this criterion, “The Bear” is considered a comedy in American industry awards.
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