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

Key facts

• FX released a surprise episode titled 'Gary' on Hulu on Wednesday.
• 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.
• The episode appears on Hulu as its own title, separate from 'The Bear' catalog.
• Season 5 is expected to premiere in June, with no official release date yet.
• Jamie Lee Curtis has repeatedly stated that Season 5 will be the series’ final season.
• The Bear’s first three seasons won 21 Emmys, including Best Comedy Series in 2023.
• Season 4 will compete in this year’s Emmy race; the final season will be eligible in 2027.

A Surprise Drop That Rewrites the Past

FX surprised fans of 'The Bear' on Wednesday with an unannounced flashback episode titled 'Gary,' now streaming on Hulu. The hour-long installment, set before the events of the main series, follows cousins Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Jon Bernthal) on a work trip to Gary, Indiana. The official description states that the episode explores 'the two friends’ complicated relationship, uncovering new layers of Mikey’s mental state while offering crucial insight into the man Richie is when audiences first meet him in Season 1 — adding emotional context that reframes their story from the very beginning.' The surprise drop comes ahead of the fifth and likely final season, which is expected to premiere in June.

Co-Written by Its Stars, Directed by the Creator

Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal co-wrote the episode themselves, while series creator Christopher Storer directed. Moss-Bachrach announced the episode on Instagram, noting that 'Gary' appears on Hulu as its own title rather than as part of 'The Bear' catalog. 'Making this was a dream come true,' Moss-Bachrach wrote in his post. 'Thanks to the beautiful people of Gary, Indiana and as always Chicago, Illinois.' The two actors are currently starring together in a stage adaptation of 'Dog Day Afternoon' on Broadway.

A Season 5 That May Be the Last

Season 5 of 'The Bear' does not have an official release date yet, but all four prior seasons have premiered in June, and the new season is expected to follow suit. FX picked up a fifth season a week after Season 4 premiered in June 2025. It is widely expected that Season 5 will be the series’ last. While neither FX nor Storer have commented on the matter, recurring guest star Jamie Lee Curtis has said as much multiple times. 'Everybody knows it’s the end of the show,' Curtis said in a red carpet interview 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 actor Jeremy Allen White has said in past interviews that Storer originally had a four-season arc planned.

Award-Winning Legacy and What Comes Next

The Bear’s first three seasons won 21 Emmys, including a Best Comedy Series award in 2023 and acting honors for Moss-Bachrach, Curtis, White, Ayo Edebiri, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Jon Bernthal. Season 4 will compete in this year’s Emmy race, and the final season will be eligible in 2027. The series is produced by FX Productions. Storer executive produces 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.

A Prequel That Deepens the Emotional Core

The surprise episode 'Gary' provides crucial backstory for two of the series’ most beloved characters. By delving into Mikey’s mental state and the origins of Richie’s persona, the episode adds emotional context that reframes the entire narrative from the start. As the series heads toward its conclusion, this prequel offers fans a deeper understanding of the bonds that have driven the story. The episode is searchable on Hulu under the title 'Gary,' and its release has generated significant buzz among the show’s dedicated audience.

Uncertainties Remain as the Final Season Approaches

While the surprise episode has been warmly received, questions linger about the exact premiere date of Season 5 and whether it will indeed be the series’ last. FX has not confirmed the end, but the show’s cast and creator have hinted that the arc is complete. With the Emmy-winning series poised to conclude, 'Gary' serves as a poignant reminder of the storytelling depth that has made 'The Bear' a cultural phenomenon. Fans will have to wait for official announcements, but the surprise drop has already added a new layer to the show’s rich tapestry.

The bottom line

• FX released a surprise prequel episode 'Gary' on Hulu, co-written by stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal.
• The episode is a flashback to a work trip in Gary, Indiana, exploring the relationship between Richie and Mikey before the main series.
• Season 5 is expected to premiere in June, with no official date yet, and is widely believed to be the final season.
• The Bear has won 21 Emmys across its first three seasons, with Season 4 competing in the upcoming Emmy race.
• Jamie Lee Curtis has repeatedly stated that Season 5 will be the end of the series, though FX has not confirmed.
• The episode adds emotional context that reframes the characters’ stories from the beginning of the series.