entertainment

Where Are The People of Colour in The Bear?

The third season of FX and Hulu's The Bear premiered this week, offering a timely exploration of workplace dynamics and social issues through the lens of a restaurant kitchen. In addition to the brilliant Jeremy Allen White, the diverse cast for this season includes newcomers Lymari Nadal and Liz Cambage, adding fresh perspectives and talent to the screen.

Published June 28, 2024 at 12:41pm by Saman Shafiq

'The Bear' roars back with a fresh, fiery take on fine dining

Season 3 of the groundbreaking, award-winning FX and Hulu culinary series The Bear is now streaming, and it's a delicious, diverse feast for the senses.

USA TODAY TV critic Kelly Lawler served up a glowing three-star review, calling the show "a culinary and emotional feast." She adds, "You devour it... You savor each profane fight. You chew on the moments of emotional clarity. You consume the frenzy, or it consumes you."

The season sees the dynamic trio of Carmy, Sydney, and Richie (Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach) level up their game, aiming to elevate their inherits-beef-stand-turned-fine-dining-restaurant, "The Bear," while grappling with the challenges of staying afloat.

At the show's heart is the complex, compassionate Head Chef Carmy, who, after losing his brother Michael to suicide, inherited "The Beef." This season, Carmy relentlessly pursues perfection, demanding excellence from himself and his diverse, talented team.

The stellar ensemble cast includes Liza Colón-Zayas as line cook Tina, whose evolution continues as she takes on new responsibilities, and Lionel Boyce as pastry chef Marcus, showcasing the sweet skills that make him an indispensable part of the team.

Abby Elliott reprises her role as Natalie, Carmy's elder sister, who becomes the COO of "The Bear" in Season 2 and is a badass female presence in a male-dominated industry. She's joined by the hilarious Matty Matheson as the well-meaning but clumsy server Neil, bringing levity to the frenzied kitchen.

The sorrowful memory of Jon Bernthal's Mikey, Carmy and Natalie's brother, hangs over the proceedings, adding depth to the story as the team forges ahead.

With a fresh, diverse perspective on the culinary world, "The Bear" serves up a tantalizing blend of sharp writing, complex characters, and a heartfelt exploration of ambition, grief, and redemption, making it must-see TV.

Watch 'The Bear': Subscribe to Hulu to stream now.

Saman Shafiq, Trending News Reporter, USA TODAY

Reach her at: sshafiq@gannett.com or via Twitter: @saman_shafiq7