Could The Bear Season 4 paint Donna in a different light? Speculations explored

FX on Hulu's The Bear has consistently delivered compelling character-driven drama laced with humor. An intriguing character is Donna Berzatto, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. She is the mother of Michael, Natalie, and Carmy.

Donna first appeared in the Season 2 episode titled Fishes. She was introduced as an alcoholic with extreme mood swings. Her struggles with bipolar disorder, unpredictable tendency to flare up, and ruined relationships with her children made her a flawed but unforgettable character. Season 3, however, has focused on her motherly emotions during Natalie's labor. With Season 4 out soon, fans are curious to know if Donna's character arc takes a new turn.

A now-deleted Disney+ teaser for The Bear Season 4 shows an emotional chat between Donna and Sydney ( Ayo Edebiri). In the scene, Donna tells Sydney: "Sometimes your work family is closer to you than your family family." This could mean Donna has finally realized her mistakes and now has regrets. It would be interesting to see how the makers shape her character in The Bear Season 4.

Created by Christopher Storer, The Bear follows the story of Carmen Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a talented chef who returns to Chicago to help run his late brother's sandwich shop. The psychological comedy-drama, depicting intense kitchen drama, has won many accolades including the Primetime Emmy Awards.

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Will Donna's meeting with Sydney change perception of her in The Bear Season 4?

Donna Berzatto's previous appearances made her look unpredictable but her conversation with Sydney might offer a fresh perspective. It shows that Donna has finally realized and taken responsibility for her volatile attitude.

Donna's advice to Sydney may indicate a budding friendship between the two. Many feel her the Season 2 episode, Fishes, where she appeared for the first time, remains the best episode of the show till date. Donna got furious in the Christmas special episode. While she prepared the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a traditional Italian American dish, she felt overwhelmed and didn't ask for help. She finally has an outburst at the dining table and says that she felt unloved.

In The Bears Season 3 Episode Ice Chips, Donna is seen caring for Natalie who was in labor with nobody around her. With the emotional conversation between Sydney and Donna in Season 4, it can be expected that the makers would show a better side of Donna.

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About The Bear Season 4

In an interview with Deadline in 2024, FX content and FX production chairman John Landgraf announced Season 4 of The Bear would released in June 2025. He stated:

"We finished most of it, and it will be ready same time next year."

The final episodes of The Bear Season 3 showed an important moment when Carmy reacted to a negative review of the restaurant from the Chicago Tribunal. The review's aftermath will carry forward the plot of Season 4.

Apart from that, we saw Sydney getting an offer to run her own restaurant, from Adam (Adam Shapiro). Sydney is in a tight spot — she must decide whether she wants to take the offer that would improve her career or stay at the place where she has her 'found family.' With the principal financier Uncle Jimmy pulling out his shares of the restaurant, it would be hard for Carmy to run the restaurant.

To know what happens next in this kitchen drama, viewers will have to wait for the official release of The Bear Season 4.

Tune in to SoapCentral for more updates.