The Bear is going big for the Emmys.
Gold Derby has learned that the surprise “Gary” episode, which dropped on Tuesday and takes place before the events of the pilot, will be submitted at the 2026 Emmys by FX and Hulu in these three key categories:
The 10-episode fourth season is also eligible at the 2026 Emmys in its entirety after streaming June 25 of last year. (The Television Academy’s eligibility cycle begins June 1 and ends May 31.) That means The Bear will have more content than ever before up for consideration.
Directed by showrunner Christopher Storer, “Gary” is a stand-alone flashback episode featuring Bernthal’s Michael “Mikey” Berzatto and Moss-Bachrach’s Richard “Richie” Jerimovich. The plot follows the characters on a work trip to Gary, Ind., where their complicated relationship uncovers new layers of Mikey’s mental state prior to his suicide. Per the network description, the episode adds an “emotional context that reframes their story from the very beginning.”
This marks the first time an episode of The Bear has been released as a special entry outside of a normal season. “Gary” also serves as Ireland’s series debut as Sherri.
The Bear is an Emmy favorite, winning 21 trophies from 49 nominations across its first three seasons. That tally includes two wins apiece for Jeremy Allen White and Moss-Bachrach, and one each for Ayo Edebiri, Liza Colón-Zayas, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Bernthal.
Bernthal and Moss-Bachrach have been spending lots of quality time together, starring in the new Broadway adaptation of Dog Day Afternoon.
Moss-Bachrach broke the news of the “Gary” episode on his Instagram, writing, “COUSINS! PRIMOS! CUGINI!!! Get ready for GARY!!!! We are so excited to finally share this little adventure with Richie and Mikey. Written by me and @jonnybernthal. Directed by the one Christopher Storer. Making this was a dream come true.”
The Bear returns for its fifth and final season this summer.
