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The Bear Fans Say 'This Will Destroy Me' as Surprise Prequel Episode Drops
The hour-long episode follows Richie and Mikey before the main series and was co-written by Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal.
On Tuesday, Hulu released a surprise prequel episode of The Bear titled "Gary," written by stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal. The hour-long flashback follows Richie and Mikey on a trip to Gary, Indiana, before the main series begins.
The episode explores the complicated relationship between the two friends, uncovering new layers of Mikey's mental state. It offers crucial insight into the man Richie is when audiences first meet him in Season 1, adding emotional context that reframes their story.
Series creator Christopher Storer directed the episode, which Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal co-wrote while starring together in a Broadway adaptation of Dog Day Afternoon. Moss-Bachrach announced the surprise on Instagram Tuesday, calling the project "a dream come true."
This release arrives ahead of the fifth and final season of The Bear, premiering next month. Cast member Jamie Lee Curtis confirmed that "everybody understood that it was the last season," settling speculation about the show's conclusion.
The series has won 21 Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and remains eligible for awards through 2027. FX Productions continues to oversee the show as the final season approaches.