Will ‘The Bear’ return for a fourth season?

Hulu comedy-drama series The Bear is the most acclaimed show on television right now, having recently taken home an outstanding ten Primetime Emmy Awards at the first of two 2024 ceremonies back in January, in its first year of eligibility.

The Bear follows prestigious chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), as he swaps Michelin stars for meltdowns as he attempts to save his late brother’s failing restaurant business from closing its doors for good. The series aired its second season late last year, just missing the cut for being delayed by the writers’ and actors’ strikes that took place over much of 2023, having finished final re-writes and re-shoots before production was shut down.

A third season was confirmed shortly after the success of the second series, with filming of the upcoming episodes starting on Feb. 26. Online, rumors have been rampant about a third and potential fourth season being filmed back to back. However, there has been confusion about a fourth season being confirmed in the first place, leaving fans with the question of season three potentially being the show’s last.

Will there be a fourth season of The Bear?

According to a report by entertainment outlet Deadline from March 2024, The Bear was “quietly” renewed for a fourth season, and they will indeed be filmed back to back, as revealed by sources speaking to the outlet. The term “quietly” was used by Deadline to explain that a fourth season has not been formally announced to the public by FX, the network that produces the series, and a rep declined to comment on the rumor when contacted by the site.

Deadline also stated through the same sources that back-to-back filming was most likely due to lead actors Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri’s busy schedules for other projects, but a fifth season had not by any means been ruled out.

As of The Bear’s season three release at the end of June 2024, FX still haven’t confirmed the fourth season – although other publications like Deadline and Variety seem confident that the season is going ahead, and the new episodes are not going to be the last. Additionally, cast members like Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White confirmed scenes were shot for a new season earlier this year.

However, a report by The Playlist has apparently quashed Deadline’s earlier claims that seasons three and four were shot entirely back to back. According to the publication, attempts to film back-to-back were scrapped after scripts were not completed in time for the following season – adding that production is said to presume in early 2025.

When can we expect The Bear season four?

The Bear seasons 1-3 have consistently been released in the last week of June every year, so it is likely a fourth season would follow suit. If reported filming delays are significant, however, this may be subject to change. On the other hand, if a lot of filming has wrapped for season four already, a new season may be able to arrive on time — or even a little earlier.