FX Surprises Fans With Prequel Episode of 'The Bear' Featuring Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal

FX caught viewers off guard with an unexpected prequel installment of The Bear that dropped on Wednesday, May 5.

The special episode takes audiences back in time to follow Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Jon Bernthal) during a work trip to Gary, Indiana. The episode delves into the intricate dynamics between the two characters while shedding light on Mikey's psychological state and revealing who Richie becomes by the time audiences encounter him in Season 1 of the series.

Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal collaborated on writing the episode, with series creator Christopher Storer helming the direction. The installment, titled "Gary," functions as its own standalone episode rather than being incorporated into the main series.

Moss-Bachrach announced the release through Instagram, expressing enthusiasm about sharing the story with fans. "COUSINS! PRIMOS! CUGINI!!! Get ready for GARY!!!! We are so excited to finally share this little adventure with Richie and Mikey," the actor wrote.

The Bear, which has earned critical acclaim on FX and Hulu, is anticipated to premiere its next season sometime this year, with June being the likely window based on the release patterns of previous seasons. Speculation has mounted that the upcoming installment will mark the show's final chapter, a suggestion reinforced by hints from recurring guest star Jamie Lee Curtis.