AceShowbiz - The Bear fans have received an unexpected treat as the series unveiled a surprise prequel episode titled "Gary" on Hulu. This hour-long installment offers a fresh glimpse into the lives of Richie and Mikey before the main storyline begins, setting the stage for the highly anticipated upcoming fifth season.

The episode centers on a trip to Gary, Indiana, featuring Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richie and Jon Bernthal as Mikey. It is now available for streaming on Hulu and can be found by searching for the episode title "Gary." The special episode was co-written by Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal, who are also currently starring together in a Broadway production of Dog Day Afternoon. Directing duties for the episode were handled by Christopher Storer, the creator of The Bear.

Moss-Bachrach expressed his excitement about the project on Instagram, describing the experience as "a dream come true." He also extended thanks to the communities of Gary, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois, for their support during the episode’s production.

As for The Bear itself, the fifth season has not yet premiered but is expected to arrive in the summer, consistent with the show’s tradition of releasing previous seasons in June. This upcoming season is widely believed to be the series’ last. Jamie Lee Curtis, who appears in the show, confirmed during a red carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight in February that the fifth season will conclude the series, stating, "Everybody knows it's the end of the show... It's the end of the show - they've said it from the beginning."

The show’s creator, Christopher Storer, initially envisioned a four-season arc for The Bear, as noted by lead actor Jeremy Allen White in earlier interviews. However, FX extended the series by ordering a fifth season shortly after the fourth season premiered in June 2025. FX Productions is the company behind the Hulu series.

The Bear has achieved significant critical acclaim, especially during its first three seasons, which collectively won 21 Emmy Awards. Among these accolades was the 2023 Emmy for Best Comedy Series, along with acting awards for Moss-Bachrach, Curtis, White, Ayo Edebiri, Liza Colon-Zayas, and Bernthal. The fourth season is competing in the current Emmy cycle, while the final season will be eligible in 2027.

In addition to its main cast, the show features performances from Lionel Boyce, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, and Corey Hendrix. The executive production team includes Christopher Storer, 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, further contributing to the series’ authenticity and success.