Jamie Lee Curtis has sparked serious conversation among fans of the hit FX series The Bear after sharing what sounds like a farewell message on social media. The Oscar-winning actress, who plays the troubled Donna Berzatto in the show, posted about finishing her work on the upcoming fifth season, using words like “completing the story” and “finished strong.” This has led many to believe that the next season, expected in 2026, could also be the very last one for the beloved restaurant drama .
What Jamie Lee Curtis Posted That Got Everyone Talking
On February 17, 2026, Jamie Lee Curtis took to Instagram to share a photo with her on-screen daughter, actress Abby Elliott, who plays Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto in the series. The caption was warm and emotional, but it was the specific wording that caught everyone’s attention.
“FINISHED STRONG! Surrounded by an extraordinary crew and group of writers and producers and scene partners on the show that Chris Storer created, completing the story of this extraordinary family that we have all fallen in love with,” Curtis wrote. She added, “Got to finish it out with my baby Berzatto bear” .
For followers of The Bear, the phrases “completing the story” and “finish it out” immediately raised red flags. While actors often get emotional when wrapping a season of television, Curtis’s choice of words sounded more final than usual. It felt less like saying goodbye to a single season and more like saying goodbye to the entire series .
Is Season 5 Really the End for The Bear?
As of now, neither FX nor Hulu has made any official announcement confirming that The Bear Season 5 will be the series finale. The network officially renewed the show for a fifth season back in July 2025, shortly after the fourth season premiered on June 25, 2025 . At that time, FX chairman John Landgraf praised the creative team but did not specify how many more seasons were planned.
“We are excited that they will continue to tell this magnificent story,” Landgraf said in the renewal statement . However, he did not confirm whether the show would go beyond Season 5.
The uncertainty around the show’s future has been growing for a while. Interestingly, the Season 4 finale was actually titled “Goodbye,” which led some fans to wonder if the series was already wrapping up. That turned out not to be the case, as the fifth season was quickly confirmed . But now, with Curtis’s latest post, the question is back on the table.
It is also possible that Curtis was only referring to the end of her own character’s journey. In The Bear, Donna Berzatto is the mother of Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and Natalie. Her appearance in the famous “Fishes” flashback episode during Season 2 was a massive critical moment, earning Curtis an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series . Her character is intense, emotionally damaged, and a source of much of the family trauma that drives the show. It is very possible that Donna’s story reaches its natural end in Season 5, even if the main restaurant story continues without her .
Cast and Crew React to the Possibility of an Ending
While there has been no official word from the network, the reaction to Curtis’s post suggests that many people within the industry and the fan base are preparing for the show to close its doors for good.
Jeremy Allen White, who leads the cast as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, had previously confirmed that filming for Season 5 was set to begin in early 2026. During an interview in late 2025, White mentioned that production would start around January 5, 2026 . Curtis’s post now confirms that her part of that filming is already complete.
The cast of The Bear has become one of the most celebrated ensembles in recent television history. The show has won a staggering 21 Primetime Emmy Awards across its run, including multiple wins for White, Ayo Edebiri (Sydney), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie) . Curtis herself is part of that Emmy-winning legacy.
For many viewers, the idea of the show ending after five seasons makes sense. The series started as a story about a fine-dining chef returning to run his late brother’s grimy sandwich shop. Over time, it evolved into a meditation on grief, family trauma, the pressure of the restaurant industry, and the pursuit of excellence. After the opening of the new restaurant at the end of Season 2 and the struggles to keep it afloat in Seasons 3 and 4, some fans feel the story has naturally run its course .
Fan Reactions: Mixed Feelings About Saying Goodbye
As expected, the news from Curtis sparked a wave of reactions online. On social media and fan forums, opinions were split. Some fans are sad to see the show potentially end, while others believe it is the right time.
One fan on Reddit commented on the show’s recent direction, saying the series sometimes “lacks material” and falls back on “aggressively aggressive character interactions and confrontations” to fill time. Another viewer was blunter, posting, “Should have ended two seasons ago” .
But there are also plenty of fans who will miss the show deeply. The series has a devoted following, particularly among people who have worked in restaurants and relate to its chaotic, high-pressure depiction of kitchen life. One commenter on Curtis’s Instagram post praised the idea of ending the show on a high note, writing, “Finishing strong protects the legacy of its greatness” .
What to Expect From The Bear Season 5
Whether it is the final season or not, The Bear Season 5 is coming, and it will arrive in 2026. While no exact release date has been set, previous seasons have followed a pattern. Seasons 1 through 4 all premiered in June. If that trend continues, fans can likely expect the new episodes to drop in June 2026 .
The season will stream on Hulu in the United States. For viewers in other regions, the show is available on Disney+ through the Star brand. This includes viewers in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and India . As with past seasons, it is expected that all episodes will be released at once for binge-watching.
The plot details are being kept under wraps, but the show will continue to follow Carmy, Sydney, Richie, and the rest of the team at The Bear restaurant. Season 4 ended with the crew still facing financial pressure and personal conflicts, so those storylines are sure to carry over.
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The Bottom Line on The Bear’s Future
For now, the fate of The Bear beyond Season 5 remains unknown. Jamie Lee Curtis posted a message that certainly sounds like a goodbye, but until FX or series creator Christopher Storer makes an official announcement, fans will have to wait and see.
If this does turn out to be the final season, the show will be ending as one of the most awarded and talked-about series of the decade. It changed how people view food on television, launched its lead actors into even bigger stardom, and gave audiences some of the most stressful, beautiful, and emotionally raw episodes of the 2020s.
Whether you are ready to say goodbye or hoping for more, all eyes are now on the official announcement. Until then, the Instagram post from Jamie Lee Curtis remains the strongest clue yet that the kitchen at The Bear might soon be closing for good .
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Thank you for reading this article on the future of The Bear. Be sure to check back with VvipTimes for the latest updates on the show, including the official release date announcement and any news on whether Season 5 will indeed be the last. We bring you the most accurate and up-to-date entertainment news from around the world.
