FX and Hulu Drop Surprise Prequel Episode of ‘The Bear’ Starring Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach

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Summary

  • FX and Hulu unexpectedly released a special standalone episode of The Bear, called “Gary,” on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, much to the delight of fans.

  • This episode, lasting just under an hour, features Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey Berzatto (Jon Bernthal) as they drive from Chicago to Gary, Indiana.

  • This flashback, which takes place before the start of Season 1, helps us understand Mikey’s emotional struggles and gives us a first look at Richie’s personality.

Fans expecting to wait until summer for more from The Bear received a delightful surprise. FX and Hulu unexpectedly released a special, standalone episode on Tuesday. Titled “Gary,” the nearly hour-long episode is a prequel that shifts the focus away from the restaurant’s fast-paced energy and instead explores the complex relationship between Richie Jerimovich and the late Mikey Berzatto.

This special episode takes us back to early 2019, before the events of Season 1 and Mikey’s death. The story follows Richie and Mikey on a work trip from Chicago to Gary, Indiana. According to FX, this trip reveals more about Mikey’s struggles with mental health and gives viewers a better understanding of Richie’s character when they first meet him, ultimately adding depth and context to their relationship from the start.

The surprise episode, “Gary,” was written with a personal touch by actors Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal, who have a strong working relationship and recently appeared together on Broadway in Dog Day Afternoon. Their natural connection really came through in the script. Christopher Storer, the show’s creator, directed the episode to make sure it felt consistent with the show’s unique look and feel.

Scott Moss-Bachrach announced the unexpected release of a new The Bear episode online, excitedly calling it a “little adventure” with characters Richie and Mikey. He shared that he wrote it with Jon Bernthal, calling the experience a dream come true. Unlike typical new episodes, viewers need to specifically search for “Gary” on Hulu to find it – it’s not featured in the show’s main section. Bernthal had hinted at this unusual release on Instagram, giving the episode the feel of a special event rather than a regular installment of the series.

FX’s release of “Gary” is a brilliant move that sets the stage for what’s to come. This unexpected prequel adds a powerful emotional layer to the core tragedy of The Bear, and works as a heartbreaking preview for the fifth season—which might be the last—expected to arrive this summer.

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2026-05-06 12:26