Summary
- A star-studded cast including Jamie Lee Curtis made Season 2 of The Bear unforgettable for fans worldwide.
- Jeremy Allen White was awed by Curtis' talent and humanity on set, praising her seamless integration into the show.
- Curtis felt destined to play Donna Berzatto after watching just one episode, showcasing her deep connection to the role.
Jamie Lee Curtis enjoyed a two-episode arc in Season 2 of The Bear in 2023, giving Jeremy Allen White, and the rest of the FX on Hulu comedy-drama series cast, an opportunity to work with the seasoned star.
Curtis was not the only superstar to feature as a guest star in the second season of The Bear, which is already scheduled for the release of a third in June 2024. Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, John Mulaney and Olivia Colman are all among distinguished names who made their mark on the Christopher Storer series that has resonated with fans worldwide.
White rose to prominence with his role in Shameless between 2011 and 2021, but he has gone one extra gear with his performance in The Bear, said to have been inspired by controversial real-life British chef Marco Pierre White. Among the perks of working on such a successful show has been the opportunity to cross paths with legends like Jamie Lee Curtis.
Jeremy Allen White Was Impressed With Jamie Lee Curtis On The Set Of The Bear
Jeremy Allen White expressed his admiration for Jamie Lee Curtis as a performer on the set of The Bear, but even more so as a human being. In a detailed conversation with Variety in December 2023, White shared insights into his roles, including his work on the show, as well as his 2023 film The Iron Claw.
"[Jamie] was so excellent, so prepared. She understood [her character] prior to ever stepping foot on set," White remarked. He highlighted the challenge actors face when joining an established series, emphasizing the skill required to quickly adapt and contribute to the show's dynamic. Curtis, according to White, excelled in this aspect, seamlessly integrating into the show's world.
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The moment of their first personal interaction was particularly memorable for White. "She tapped me on the shoulder as I was in base camp. I turned around and she held my face and looked into my eyes for a while. Neither of us said a word. She gave me a big hug. And then, she just walked back to her trailer," he recalled.
Jamie Lee Curtis Played Jeremy Allen White’s Character’s Mom In The Bear
In The Bear, Jamie Lee Curtis took on the role of Donna Berzatto, portraying the mother of Jeremy Allen White's character, Carmen Anthony "Carmy" Berzatto. Carmy is portrayed as a talented chef from Chicago, who decides to leave his career in fine dining to take over his family's restaurant after his brother Mikey's suicide. Despite successfully revitalizing the business, he chooses to close it to open a new establishment.
The Bear On Hulu
| Main Cast Line-up: | Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson |
| Series premiere: | June 23, 2022 |
| Major Accolades: | 10 Primetime Emmy Awards (Season 1 alone), Four Golden Globe Awards (as of 2024) |
| Season 1 Rating: | 100% on Rotten Tomatoes (79 reviews), 88 Metacritic Score (24 reviews) |
| Season 2 Rating: | 99% on Rotten Tomatoes (108 reviews), 92 Metacritic Score (42 reviews) |
Curtis enters the narrative in the series' second season, making her first appearance in an episode titled Fishes. As Donna, she embodies the troubled and unpredictable mother of Carmy, Natalie (played by Abby Elliott), and Michael (portrayed by Jon Bernthal), who had battled drug addiction before his demise four months prior to the series' events. Curtis reappears in the season's final episode, also named The Bear.
Donna Berzatto's character is marked by her constant state of being overwhelmed, especially with kitchen duties, yet she refrains from seeking help.
Throughout her time on screen, she conveys a deep sense of feeling unloved and frustrated, culminating in a dramatic scene during a family dinner. Here, Donna's emotions boil over as she smashes a plate and openly accuses her family of lacking love and respect for her.
Jamie Lee Curtis Knew She Would Join The Cast Of ‘The Bear’ After Watching The Series' First Episode
Jamie Lee Curtis revealed she felt destined to join the cast of The Bear right after watching the show's very first episode. The revelation came through an Instagram post a few days following the release of the second season, per People Magazine. "The secret's out. We all have them. Every family. Every human being," Curtis wrote alongside a selfie.
She shared how an early scene in the series sparked a strong premonition about her involvement.
"When I saw the first episode last summer and Sugar asks Carmen if he had spoken to their mother, in that second I knew that I would play her. Don't ask me how. I just knew," Curtis explained in her post. This feeling turned into reality when Chris Storer, following the first season's success, offered her what she described as the role of a lifetime.
"There's not a person alive who won't relate to what it feels like to be around someone like Donna Berzatto," Curtis commented on her character.
She concluded her message by thanking Storer and the entire creative team behind The Bear for the opportunity to bring such a complex character to life.
