The critically acclaimed FX series "The Bear" has concluded its five-season run, with star Abby Elliott sharing her reflections on the show's emotional finale and the profound relationships she developed with her castmates.
In the fifth and final season, now streaming on Hulu, the narrative sees Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, portrayed by Jeremy Allen White, stepping back from his leadership role at the titular Chicago restaurant. The responsibility of running "The Bear" shifts to a partnership including Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), Richard "Richie" Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto (Elliott).
Elliott, who plays Carmy's sister Sugar, described her on-screen sibling, Jeremy Allen White, as a "brother" in real life. She noted a poignant parallel in the final season where White, as Carmy, was teaching her character how to plate food, mirroring their personal dynamic. "He’s saying goodbye and handing it off to Sydney, Richie and Sugar — and it feels like Jeremy Allen White [doing it] instead of Carmy," Elliott told The Post.
While Sugar has been a supportive presence in the kitchen throughout the series, her direct culinary involvement, particularly in plating, became more pronounced in the final season. Elliott pointed out that the show's authentic approach often led to real-life moments bleeding into the on-screen action. "Jeremy was actually teaching me how to plate, as Carmy was teaching Sugar how to plate. So, there are a lot of parallels to real life," she shared.
Family Dynamics and Acting Process
The series has consistently explored the complex and often dysfunctional relationship between Sugar and her mother, Donna, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. The final season finds a point of catharsis for these two characters. Elliott described working with Curtis as "the thrill of a lifetime" and a "blessing," noting that Curtis has become a "dear friend."
"She relinquishes a little bit of control," Elliott said of Sugar's arc with her mother, "and it’s what both of their characters need." Elliott and Curtis's characters reach a place of mutual understanding, with Sugar beginning to trust her mother while still moving forward independently.
The production process for "The Bear" was also highlighted by Elliott, who mentioned the show's unique approach to rehearsal. "We really don’t do table reads," she explained. "We just go and shoot and see what comes out. And a lot of the stuff that that makes it in is like the first take — something very natural and not perfect, per se." This "scrappy" method, she believes, contributes to the show's distinctive quality.
Enduring Connections
Despite the series' conclusion, the cast maintains a strong bond. Elliott revealed that the "The Bear" cast keeps in close contact through a group chat, affirming their connection. "We’ll always be in touch. This is like a forever family," she stated.
"The Bear" originally premiered in 2022, chronicling Carmy's return to his family's restaurant following his brother Mikey's suicide and his efforts to transform the establishment into a fine-dining establishment with his team.