The Bear is having a moment right now. The hit show, about a high-end chef who returns to his family’s restaurant and tries to whip it back into shape, recently dropped its second season in the U.S, with the international release set for July, and as a result, the series is creating more buzz than a new Michelin-starred restaurant. This is true even of the famous faces that make up the cast, like British Marvel star Will Poulter.
Speaking to Variety, Poulter was keen to stress just how much he loved the show, and how working on it was a dream come true for him — strong words from a man whose resume is as wide-ranging and successful as his. He appeared in episode four of season two (“Honeydew”), playing a chef based in Copenhagen, which is famously home to some of the best fine dining restaurants in the world like NOMA. Speaking about how he got the part on the show, he said:
“I called them. I literally begged to be in the show. I asked if I could meet with Chris Storer and basically communicated that I was such a fan of so much of his work, but especially The Bear. He was kind enough to gift me with the offer to play Luca and it really changed my life, to be honest. It kind of helped me realize a dream of playing a chef on TV. I have such an immense amount of respect for chefs and the women and men of that industry. I feel like the whole society stands on the shoulders of people in the food and beverage industry, and we don’t even necessarily really know it or think about it. They sustain us and maintain us daily and they don’t get enough thanks for what they do.”
This love of chefs is hardly a surprise as Poulter’s mother went to culinary school. In preparation for the role, he also took on work experience at three high-end London eateries: Black Axe Mangal, St. John, and Trullo. Although he’s certainly an excellent actor, it seems Poulter would have also thrived as a chef, which explains why his performance is so spellbinding. Speaking about his time in real kitchens, he said:
“I would honestly say that one of the days in particular that I had at Black Axe Mangal was maybe the most satisfying day of work I’ve ever had in my life, doing anything. I also want to say, I don’t think I’ve ever been more supported or felt more encouraged by production on any job, in terms of being given the tools and the opportunities to put your best foot forward and to be given the best chance of doing the best job possible.”
He also drew on the parallels between cooking and acting, especially with regard to the passion and drive needed to succeed in both, as well as the energy and emotion that both require to reach the top:
“You can’t do it in an emotionless way, I don’t think. There is a parallel between the world of cooking and the world of acting. You’re engaging in the senses, whether it’s taste, smell, sight, touch. All of these things are relevant to both acting and cooking.”
His performance in the episode certainly showcases a lot of heart and passion, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans of The Bear, who’ve been effusive about Poulter’s demeanor, looks, and brilliantly nuanced acting, which turned the episode into one of the highest rated in the season. Despite all the love he and the show have been receiving, Poulter was keen to stress that there are probably few people happier with the end product than him:
“I promise you this, no one has got more fanboy energy for the show than I do. I’m more excited about being on this show than anyone else, I can guarantee you that. It was like one of the best experiences of my life, if not the best work experience in my life,”
He also added that a few of the chefs that helped him to hone his character have reached out since the show aired with praise: “So I am I am aware of the show’s impact in that regard, and it’s lovely.” When asked if he would return to The Bear, his answer was an unequivocal yes. So, if you’re as much of a fan of Poulter as Luca as the actor is himself, you might just be in for a treat in a later season.
