The Bear season 3: release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and more

The Bear season 3 is almost here, everyone. The multi-award-winning culinary comedy-drama will be back on our screens before the end of June, so it's time to start counting down the hours until it re-opens its doors.

Below, we've rounded up everything worth knowing about The Bear's third season ahead of the hit FX series' return on Hulu in the US (it'll air on Disney Plus internationally). That includes its official release date, launch schedule, confirmed cast list, story brief, the prestige TV show's future, and more. Major spoilers follow for The Bear seasons 1 and 2. Potential spoilers are also discussed for the forthcoming season.

The Bear season 3 release date

The Bear season 3 will make its debut on Hulu and Disney Plus on Thursday, June 27. The kitchen drama series' return was announced alongside The Bear season 3's first short teaser in mid-May.

Before then, the only semi-official news we had was that The Bear season 3 would make its return sometime in June – and, as revealed by FX, the studio behind the hugely successful show, you'll be able to gorge yourself silly on all 10 episodes on launch day. Yes, chef!

The Bear season 3 trailer

After months and months of waiting, The Bear season 3's official trailer was released on May 30, and it teased more controlled chaos, money problems, and Claire's return in the hit FX show.

Before then, we'd only been treated to a couple of tasty-looking starters. The first, which was revealed alongside season 3's launch date on May 10, only showed Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto preparing for another busy day at the titular restaurant. Just two weeks later – and a mere 48 hours before the official trailer dropped – another teaser for The Bear's third season served up a sizzling appetizer ahead of the main course that left us hungry for more.

The Bear season 3 confirmed cast

Spoilers for The Bear seasons 1 and 2 follow.

Here's the confirmed cast list for The Bear season 3:

• Jeremy Allan White as Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard ‘Richie’ Jerimovich
• Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Adamu
• Lionel Boyce as Marcus Brooks
• Liza Colón-Zayas as Tina Marrero
• Abby Elliott as Natalie ‘Sugar’ Berzatto
• Matty Matheson as Neil Fak 
• Edwin Lee Gibson as Ebraheim 
• Oliver Platt as Uncle Jimmy ‘Cicero’ Kalinowski
• Molly Gordon as Claire
• Chris Witaske as Pete

The actors listed above are the show's stalwarts, but there could be more A-listers joining as season 3 guest stars in season 3 – especially off the back of The Bear sweeping the comedy award categories at numerous ceremonies in 2024.

Jamie Lee Curtis, Bob Odenkirk, Will Poulter, Olivia Colman, Sarah Paulson, Jon Bernthal, and Gillian Jacobs are just some of the big names who have appeared in seasons 1 and 2. Of that contingent, Bernthal is the most notable, with the Daredevil and The Walking Dead actor featuring as Carmy and Sugar's deceased older brother Mikey. If season 3 flashes back in time like its predecessors have, we'll see Bernthal's Mikey again. 

It's unclear if Curtis will return as Donna, the trio's mom, but we'd be surprised if any of the other aforementioned actors make guest appearances again. Regardless, we can't wait to *ahem* feast our eyes on which other A-listers might show up in The Bear season 3.

The Bear season 3 plot synopsis

Here's the official story brief for The Bear season 3: “The Bear follows Carmy, Sydney, and Richie as they do what it takes to elevate The Bear, their beef stand turned fine dining establishment, to the highest level, all while doing their best just to stay in business. 

“It’s a losing battle every single day in the restaurant business. Carmy pushes himself harder than ever, and demands excellence from his crew, who do their best to match his intensity. Their quest for culinary excellence will propel the crew to new levels and stress the bonds that hold the restaurant together. 

“As the team grows in size, each member will strive to reach a greater level of service within their role. In the restaurant industry, you’re never on solid ground, and with that ever-changing landscape comes new challenges and opportunities. Our chefs have learned that every second counts, but this season we’ll find out if they have what it takes to make it to tomorrow.”

Major spoilers follow for The Bear season 2. Turn back now or skip ahead (using the navigation bar on the left side of the page) if you're not caught up.

The season 2 finale saw a triumphant opening night for the new look restaurant, albeit it was not without its issues. There was (eventually) confidence in the kitchen, punters loving the food, and everyone staying cool, calm, and collected. However, in true season cliff-hanger fashion, there was also more family drama between Carmy and Richie, as well as Carmy and Claire’s relationship hanging by a thread when the former accuses the latter of ruining his focus on the restaurant. Other tension-filled issues, such as Pete accidentally revealing Natalie's pregnancy to Donna, also set up spicy story threads heading into season 3.

One particular character we learned more about in season 2 was Marcus (Lionel Boyce), with The Bear digging deeper into his life outside the kitchen, although it mainly focused on his mother’s ill health. As his confidence grew throughout the season – centered on a visit to chef Luca (Guardians of the Galaxy 3's Will Poulter) in Copenhagen leaving him truly inspired with new desert ideas – the final episode saw him miss calls from his mom’s carer, which could signify sadness and hardship for Marcus in season 3.

Speaking to Deadline in June 2022, Boyce spoke about where he'd like Marcus' arc to go next, saying: “I think the thing to me that is interesting to explore is just like continuing the journey of aspiring for greatness. It’s just a story of passion. All the writers do such a great job of arcing out specific stories for each character, so I’m excited to see where they’ll take it. But for me, I would love to explore that.”

There’s also the seemingly simmering romance-laced chemistry between Carmy and Sydney that has left viewers hypothesizing. However, Edibiri feels that’s not where the writers are heading, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “It’s really not our thought process when we’re making the show, and I understand it can be part of a show’s culture – but I don’t think they’re going to get what they want.”

One Sydney-centric relationship that might be explored more in season 3, is the one she has with her father Emmanuel (Robert Townsend). The season 2 finale revealed the pair had somewhat reconciled following Emmanuel's refusal to support Sydney's desire to become a chef. Asked whether she'd like to explore that dynamic further, Adebiri told Deadline: “I love the idea of Sydney finding more confidence and belief in herself, but it’s also fun getting to play someone who’s flawed and kind of a mess”. Watch this space, then.

As for the fallout from Carmy and Richie's latest spat, Ebon Moss-Bachrach told Deadline (in the same article linked above): “They seem very far apart from the last thing, I saw. I do think the ball is in Carmy’s court. I think Richie is a very loyal friend who is a very resilient soul. Carmy seems more fragile and neurotic.”

Other season 3 story threads focus on numerous character relationships, including the fallout of Carmy’s relationship with Claire, the never-ending fight for The Bear’s success (now that it’s officially opened), and Uncle Jimmy’s massive loan that still needs paying back, among many others.

Speaking to Digital Spy, it seems Moss-Bachrach has hopes for resolutions to some of those narratives, with a particular emphasis on The Bear becoming an established restaurant. “I'm curious to see what the day-to-day life is and if it's sustainable,” he mused. “That would be a third season in my mind is like, 'Okay, so what is the new thing like?' Because they don't really get to see it too much.”

Where to watch The Bear

The Bear seasons 1 and 2 can be streamed on Hulu in the US, and Disney Plus in the UK and Australia. In our opinion (and in many people's views, in fact), it's one of the best Hulu shows and best Disney Plus shows around, so work up an appetite by streaming them before The Bear season 3 arrives.

Will The Bear get a fourth season?

We'd be surprised if The Bear season 3 is the hugely successful culinary show's final entry. It's FX's biggest TV hit (Shōgun might argue otherwise) so, unless its quality suffers a significant drop next season or people stop tuning in – both are incredibly unlikely, in our view – we'd expect a fourth season to follow.

That appears to have been all-but-confirmed by Deadline, too, with multiple sources reportedly confirming The Bear has been “picked up for a fourth season to film back to back in Chicago”. We’ll have to wait for the official word from FX before we can be certain that the anxiety-inducing, fine cuisine-based series will return.

While we wait for The Bear season 3 to make its debut and/or official confirmation that a fourth season is in development, watch one of these six intense dramas if you're hungry for similar genre fare.

For more Hulu and Disney Plus-focused coverage, check out our review of Disney Plus or our Hulu review. Alternatively, find out what the best Hulu movies and best Disney Plus movies are, in our humble opinion.