Emmy-winning FX series “The Bear” returns tomorrow on June 25th with its fourth season, dropping all ten episodes in a single binge-ready release. But after the lukewarm reception to season three, the question remains: will audiences show up again?
Since its debut in June 2022, “The Bear” has become a cultural juggernaut. It’s earned 36 Emmy nominations across its first three seasons, winning 21. Jeremy Allen White took home back-to-back Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. At the same time, Ebon Moss-Bachrach won Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Ayo Edebiri claimed Outstanding Supporting Actress for season one. Edebiri has since moved to the Lead Actress category, continuing her awards momentum but was unable to repeat her victory last year against the unstoppable Jean Smart for “Hacks.” The show’s ensemble continues to be stacked. Jon Bernthal, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Liza Colón-Zayas each won Emmys for their guest and supporting roles last year. Meanwhile, the show’s roster of acclaimed guest stars, including Olivia Colman, Bob Odenkirk, Wil Poulter, and Oliver Platt, has also earned Emmy recognition.
Critically, “The Bear” launched with an enthusiastic and organic push from critics. Season one holds a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 92% audience score. Season two nearly matched that with a 99% critics score, while the audience rating remained steady. But the tide turned with season three: though still well-reviewed by critics (89%), the audience score plummeted to 51%, signaling disappointment and uncertainty among fans.
Season four’s trailer teases more internal chaos for the restaurant and its crew who are struggling with consistency, finances, and personal turmoil. As Carmy (White) says, “It’s hard, and it’s brutal. But that’s what makes it special.” That ethos applies just as much to the show as to the fictional kitchen.
Winning back its audience will be key for the show to continue to do well with the Television Academy. Critics were divided on season three’s shift in tone and style. Lauren Sarner of The New York Post described it as “self-indulgent stunt-casting but still emotional,” NPR’s Linda Holmes compared the show’s evolving structure to Carmy’s ever-changing menu: risky but reflective of its ambition. Season three leaned into introspection, with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross scoring the premiere and deeper explorations of Carmy’s trauma following season two’s intense finale.
Despite the mixed reactions, FX and Hulu have continued to back the creative team behind “The Bear.” Its binge-drop model, which is unusual for FX as they typically favor weekly releases, may be part of the issue. A weekly rollout could allow for more sustained conversation and audience engagement, especially after season three’s stumble. Even FX’s upcoming series “Alien: Earth” is being released weekly, leaving “The Bear” as an outlier amongst its other programming.
Season four picks up amid mounting pressure from all angles. A critical review from the Tribune casts doubt on the restaurant’s future. Sydney (Edebiri) is rethinking her role within the business, and Uncle Jimmy (Platt) is questioning his financial support. The obstacles are only growing, but so is the potential for the show to recapture some of its former glory and (potentially?) end strong, ensuring another strong Emmy race for last year’s season.
Will you be watching “The Bear” when it returns on June 25th? Will you binge it all at once, or pace yourself this time? And can the series rebound creatively to remain an Emmy heavyweight or has the Television Academy moved on? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our X account.
