By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Ayo Edebiri, celebrated for her acting and comedy, has now proven her skills behind the camera. , Edebiri shared her experience directing the sixth episode of the latest season of "The Bear."
"I had a total blast and I learnt so much from it," said Edebiri, who portrays sous chef Sydney. "I love our cast, but collaborating from a different perspective gave me a deeper appreciation for them and the immense effort it takes to create television. It truly is a powerful and beautiful machine," the 28 year old actress reflected.
Edebiri, who recently starred in "Inside Out 2," has already garnered a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild award, and an Emmy for her role in "The Bear."
The episode Edebiri directed, titled "Napkins," focuses on Tina , one of the chefs at the Chicago restaurant. Colón Zayas humorously described Edebiri’s directing as "just OK," while co star Lionel Boyce, who plays pastry chef Marcus, praised the episode as his favorite of the season. "It's amazing to see someone you know directing and influencing the episode. Ayo had her own vision, and I really want to see her direct more," Boyce said.
Edebiri also praised Colon Zayas's acting prowess. "Directing Liza was incredible. I asked her to do insane things, and she executed them perfectly. I can see why she is everyone’s favorite actor," Edebiri explained.
"The Bear" chronicles Carmy, a young chef from the fine dining world, as he returns to run his family’s sandwich shop in Chicago following his brother’s suicide. In season two, Carmy and his team transform the shop into a new restaurant, The Bear. Season three follows their quest for a Michelin star, amidst the high stakes pressure of the culinary world.
Abby Elliott, who plays Carmy’s sister Sugar, likened the filming pressures to those in high stake kitchens. "There are always first day of school nerves when starting a new series," she said. The show has garnered significant acclaim, winning six awards, including three for acting, at the 2024 Emmy Awards.
In her acceptance speech, Edebiri highlighted the show’s themes of family, both found and real, and expressed gratitude for her parent's support. The show also won Best TV Series at the Golden Globes earlier this year.
Jeremy Allen White, the lead actor, expressed gratitude for the show's success. "There's this beautiful noise around the show that we are really grateful for," he said. The cast, including Boyce and Edebiri, emphasized that the filming environment mirrors the intense pace of a kitchen, creating inherent pressure.
"The Bear" has built a dedicated following due to its mix of intense, beautiful, and ridiculous moments, which Edebiri believes resonates with audiences. The show, filmed post pandemic, explores themes of work, passion, and relationships in a relatable manner. According to Allen White, it’s about striving for greatness, a universally familiar pursuit.
The cast collectively emphasized that "The Bear" is fundamentally about family both biological and chosen. Colón Zayas noted, "Everyone can relate to how being with your family can be both beautiful and insane at the same time." Season three promises to deliver more of these poignant and chaotic moments.