Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Bear season 4!Brie Larson has a surprise cameo inThe Bearseason 4, but that probably wouldn’t have been possible without her work on an Apple TV+ show from 2023. The actress appeared as Francie Fak, one ofThe Bearseason 4’s biggest cameos, and one of the most notable guest star roles of the year so far.
ThroughoutThe Bear’s four seasons, the Hulu series has continuously proven its skill at acquiring big-name guest stars, featuring appearances by John Cena, John Mulaney, and Bob Odenkirk. This time,The Bearmanaged to get Larson on board for a character that fans had been waiting to see since her name was mentioned.
Francie was a confirmed member of theFak family inThe Bear, and the sister of Neil, Teddy, and Sammy. Aside from that, it was clear that Natalie used to be very close to Francie before something made their friendship fall apart. The pair finally come together inThe Bearseason 4’s “Fishes” sequel, paying off the teased conflict.
Brie Larson’s Cameo In The Bear May Not Have Happened Without Apple TV+’s Lessons In Chemistry
The Actress Went From One Critically Acclaimed Show To Another
It turns out that Brie Larson’s time onLessons in Chemistrydirectly led to her guest role onThe Bear. In an interview withVanity Fair,Larson shared details about her top-secret cameo for season 4, revealing how it happened and what the process was like for her.
Larson also mentioned how she was always seated nearThe Bearcrew at awards shows when in attendance forLessons in Chemistry.She added that she “became absorbed into their family” after already becoming familiar withThe Bearshowrunner Christopher Storer following their first encounter nearly 15 years prior. When the time came to officially introduceFrancie Fak inThe Bearseason 4, Larson’s name came up, leading to Storer contacting the MCU actress.
Of course,Larson was at various awards shows for Apple TV+‘sLessons in Chemistry, which received numerous nominations following its 2023 release. Whereas the show was nominated in limited series categories at the Golden Globes and Emmys, Larson was among the cast members nominated for their performance.
Lessons In Chemistry Was A Reminder That Brie Larson Should Do More TV (Even Before The Bear)
Apple TV+’s Historical Drama Is A Highlight Within Larson’s Career
Though Larson didn’t win a Golden Globe or Emmy for her role inLessons in Chemistry, her performance was vital to the success of the Apple TV+ drama. Based on the book of the same name,Larson portrayed Elizabeth Zott, a skilled chemist who used her job as a TV host for a cooking showas an opportunity to teach women about science in the 1960s.
Lessons in Chemistrywas a miniseries, lasting only eight episodes on Apple TV+, but it certainly justified having Brie Larson do more TV projects in the future. Larson is by no means a stranger to TV, having had lead roles in shows likeRaising DadandUnited States of Tara, but since then, most of her TV roles have been recurring spots or guest roles.
Larson has leaned more into film roles as of late, which makes sense due to her prominence playing Captain Marvel in the MCU. With her Marvel future unclear, hopefully Larson’s guest spot inThe Bearis a sign that the actress will do more television projects similar toLessons in Chemistry.
Lessons In Chemistry
Cast
Based on the novel by Bonnie Garmus,Lessons in Chemistryis set in the 1960s and follows Elizabeth Zott, whose dream of being a scientist because society demands a woman remain at home and not work. When Elizabeth finds herself pregnant, alone, and fired from her lab, she accepts a job as a host on a TV cooking show. She sets out to teach a nation of overlooked homemakers — and the men suddenly listening — about food and chemistry.
