The Bear Season 4 may have had the worst critical reception so far, but it's also — per Rotten Tomatoes – significantly more popular with viewers than Season 3.
So with that in mind, where does the show go next? Will The Bear return for Season 5? And if so, what will happen next to the likes of Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), Syd (Ayo Edebiri), and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)? We've broken down what we know so far, along with some of our best guesses, below.
Is The Bear coming back for Season 5?
Yes! FX confirmed at the start of July that The Bear has been renewed for a fifth season that will be airing in 2016.
“The Bear continues to be a fan favorite worldwide and their response to this season—as seen through incredibly high viewership—has been as spectacular as any of its previous seasons,” said FX chairman John Landgraf in a press release. “Year-in and year-out, Chris Storer, the producers, cast and crew make The Bear one of the best shows on television, and we are excited that they will continue to tell this magnificent story.”
What will The Bear Season 5 be about?
Spoilers ahead!
It's difficult to say for sure, but we can make some educated guesses. Season 4 ended in a bit of a limbo for the main characters, with Carmy deciding to walk away from the restaurant in order to work on himself and Syd saying she'll only stay on if Richie and Natalie (Abby Elliott) are added to the ownership documents.
There's also the looming issue of the restaurant not making enough money, although the possibility of a Michelin star and an expansion of The Beef sandwich shop — thanks to Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) and guest star Rob Reiner — could well save it.
As we said in our Season 4 ending explainer, our best guess is that the restaurant will struggle on in Season 5 while Carmy takes some time away from being a chef to continue his own personal growth journey.
