Brie Larson Joins The Bear Cast as Francine Fak: Unpacking the Long-Awaited Cameo
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from The Bear.
The Bear is well known for its celebrity cameos, and season four is no different.
Jeremy Allen White returns as Carmy Berzatto, with all 10 fresh episodes dropping on Hulu stateside and Disney+ in the UK.
The Mystery of Francine ‘Francie’ Fak
For three seasons, there has been plenty of discussion about Neil Fak’s sister, Francine “Francie” Fak, and her epic feud with Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto (Abby Elliott), despite Francie never gracing the screen in the kitchen-centric drama. Her presence has been felt from the beginning, with family conversations revolving around her rivalry with Sugar over the years.
A Star-Studded Reveal: Brie Larson Steps into Francie’s Shoes
But fans were treated in season four’s sixth episode as they finally got to see Francine for the first time, and to everyone’s delight, it was another celebrity cameo. In the episode, everyone gathered for the wedding of Tiffany (Gillian Jacobs) and Frank (Josh Hartnett), where they finally encountered the much-talked-about Francine Fak, brought to life by none other than Brie Larson.
Larson’s Impressive Filmography
Larson, at 35, isn’t a stranger to the spotlight, having graced the silver screen in memorable blockbusters like 13 Going on 30, Captain Marvel, 21 Jump Street, and Kong: Skull Island.
The talented Larson clinched her first Oscar for Best Actress in 2016 for her riveting portrayal of Joy, a mother trapped with her son in Room’s confining walls.
Audience Reactions Erupt Online
Audiences are abuzz to see Larson’s debut on The Bear as Francie, eagerly voicing their opinions on X.
One fan enthusiastically posted: “Brie is killing it! This show always surprises me with their cameos.”
Another chimed in: “She’s so unreal! Brie Larson in The Bear”, while a third demanded: “Can someone finally please let Brie Larson star in a f*****g comedy now?”.
The Enduring Feud: Francine vs. Sugar
Her cameo wasn’t without its drama, as characters Francine and Sugar found themselves at odds once again. While the root of their rivalry wasn’t fully disclosed, there was a hint dropped about a possible cause. A cousin humorously suggested that the feud might have started because they had previously hooked up, though neither confirmed this theory.
Peter (played by Chris Witaske) questioned Sugar about her feelings for Francine, who hesitated before dismissing the idea with a raspberry sound, but could there be some truth to this idea?
The Bear can be streamed on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in the UK.