The Bear Just Dropped a Surprise Episode. Here’s Everything You Need To Know

The Bear. It launched a thousand French dip specials, chefcore dressing and Matty Matheson’s acting career. Since 2022 the show has also racked up an impressive haul of accolades, including 21 Emmys and five Golden Globes. It’s also well-known for its constellation of A-list guest stars like Jamie Lee Curtis, Sarah Paulson, Rob Reiner, Bob Odenkirk, Brie Larson, John Mulaney, Will Poulter and Olivia Colman.

As Deadline reports, the fifth season will be released in June. But the show’s creator, Christopher Storer, has already served up an amuse-bouche. Gary, a one-off, hour-long episode, was released today.

The episode doesn’t sit with the rest of The Bear on streaming services, so Australian fans will just have to search for Gary on Disney+.

Gary is a prequel that takes place before the events of season one. It follows everyone’s favourite front-of-house star and reformed Taylor Swift fan Cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) on a work trip with Mikey (played by Jon Bernthal).

Mikey’s suicide is the catalyst that kicks off the events of season one, calling fine-dining chef Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) back to Chicago and to take over his brother’s sandwich shop.

Mikey’s shadow has loomed large over all four seasons of The Bear, and Bernthal has played the role in flashbacks throughout the show. But the new episode gives us the chance to delve into his relationship with Richie and his mindset.

It’s the perfect entree back into the world of The Bear ahead of the new season’s launch.