‘The Bear’ Drops Surprise Prequel Episode ‘Gary,’ Co-Written by Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Key facts

• FX released a surprise episode titled 'Gary' on Hulu on Tuesday.
• The episode is a flashback following Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Jon Bernthal) on a work trip to Gary, Indiana.
• Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal co-wrote the episode; series creator Christopher Storer directed.
• All four prior seasons of 'The Bear' premiered in June; Season 5 is expected in June 2026.
• Jamie Lee Curtis has stated multiple times that Season 5 will be the series’ last.
• The first three seasons won 21 Emmys, including Best Comedy Series in 2023.

A Surprise Drop That Rewrites the Past

FX blindsided fans of 'The Bear' on Tuesday by releasing a standalone prequel episode, titled 'Gary,' on Hulu. The hour-long installment, searchable as its own title rather than part of the series catalog, plunges viewers into a road trip to Gary, Indiana, with Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Jon Bernthal) before the events of Season 1. The episode’s official description promises to uncover 'new layers of Mikey’s mental state' and provide 'crucial insight into the man Richie is when audiences first meet him' — effectively reframing the entire series’ emotional trajectory. The surprise drop comes as anticipation builds for Season 5, widely expected to be the show’s final chapter.

Co-Writers Turned Stars: Bernthal and Moss-Bachrach Take Creative Control

Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal, currently starring together in a Broadway adaptation of 'Dog Day Afternoon,' co-wrote the episode themselves. Moss-Bachrach announced the release on Instagram, writing, 'COUSINS! PRIMOS! CUGINI!!! Get ready for GARY!!!! We are so excited to finally share this little adventure with Richie and Mikey.' He added, 'Making this was a dream come true. Thanks to the beautiful people of Gary, Indiana and as always Chicago, Illinois.' Series creator Christopher Storer directed the episode, which marks the first time the actors have penned an installment of the Emmy-winning series. The episode’s standalone nature on Hulu — listed under its own title — underscores its function as a narrative bridge rather than a traditional episode.

Season 5 Looms as the Likely End of the Line

While FX has not officially confirmed that Season 5 will be the last, recurring guest star Jamie Lee Curtis has repeatedly stated it will conclude the series. 'Everybody knows it’s the end of the show,' she told Entertainment Tonight in February. 'I’m not breaking any news to anybody. It’s the end of the show — they’ve said it from the beginning.' Lead Jeremy Allen White has noted that Storer originally planned a four-season arc; FX picked up a fifth season a week after Season 4 premiered in June 2025. Season 5 does not yet have a release date, but all prior seasons have dropped in June, and insiders expect a June 2026 premiere. The final season will be eligible for the 2027 Emmys, while Season 4 will compete in the 2026 race.

Award-Winning Legacy and Expanding Universe

The Bear’s first three seasons collected 21 Emmys, including Best Comedy Series in 2023, with acting wins for Moss-Bachrach, Curtis, White, Ayo Edebiri, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Bernthal. The series, produced by FX Productions, is executive produced by Storer alongside Josh Senior, Joanna Calo, Cooper Wehde, Tyson Bidner, Matty Matheson, Hiro Murai, and Rene Gube. Courtney Storer serves as co-executive producer and culinary producer. The cast also includes Lionel Boyce, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, Corey Hendrix, Oliver Platt, and Molly Gordon. The surprise episode arrives as the show’s cultural footprint continues to expand, with fans dissecting every new detail about the characters’ origins.

What ‘Gary’ Reveals About the Series’ Core Relationships

By centering on Richie and Mikey’s 'complicated relationship,' the episode sheds light on Mikey’s mental state — a key driver of the series’ central tragedy. In Season 1, Mikey’s suicide sets the story in motion; 'Gary' provides the backstory that deepens understanding of his struggles and their impact on Richie’s abrasive personality. The episode’s title, 'Gary,' references the Indiana city where the trip takes place, grounding the narrative in a specific, gritty Midwestern locale that contrasts with the show’s usual Chicago setting. The standalone drop, announced via Moss-Bachrach’s social media, suggests FX is experimenting with new distribution models for prestige TV content.

The Road Ahead: Final Season and Unanswered Questions

With Season 5 expected in June and widely assumed to be the series’ last, 'Gary' serves as both a nostalgic detour and a narrative reset. The episode reframes the entire series from its beginning, adding emotional weight to the final season’s impending conclusion. Storer has not commented on the series’ end, but the cast’s public statements and the four-season original plan point to a deliberate, finite arc. As fans await the exact premiere date, the surprise episode offers a poignant reminder of the show’s roots — and the deep wounds that have shaped its characters.

The bottom line

• FX released a surprise prequel episode 'Gary' on Hulu, co-written by stars Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
• The episode explores Richie and Mikey’s relationship before Season 1, adding context to Mikey’s mental state and Richie’s character.
• Season 5 is expected in June 2026 and is widely believed to be the final season, as stated by Jamie Lee Curtis.
• The Bear has won 21 Emmys across its first three seasons, including Best Comedy Series in 2023.
• The standalone episode is searchable on Hulu under its own title, not as part of the series catalog.