Chicago‑based series The Bear premiered its fifth and final season on FX on Hulu on June 25. Two weeks later the show secured eight Emmy nominations for its fourth season, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Ayo Edebiri, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for creator Christopher Storer, and Outstanding Comedy Series.

At the televised Emmy ceremony on Monday, however, the show was left out of the final winners list. Apple TV’s new comedy Widow’s Bay took home the top honors, winning Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Betty Gilpin), Outstanding Cinematography for a Half‑Hour Series, and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Half‑Hour Comedy or Drama Series. The network also secured Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series for Stephen Root and Kate O’Flynn.

Record‑breaking night for Apple TV

With 14 wins, Widow’s Bay set a new record for the most Emmy victories by a comedy series in a single year, surpassing the previous record of 11 wins held by The Bear in 2024. That earlier record was itself broken by Apple TV’s The Studio, which earned 13 wins in 2025.

Although The Bear was shut out at the main ceremony, the series did receive a Creative Arts Emmy on Sept. 6, when late‑stage director Rob Reiner won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his turn as restaurant consultant Albert Schnurr.

Series history and local significance

Since its debut in June 2022, the show—centered on a Chicago chef and his team renovating a classic Italian beef restaurant—has amassed 57 Emmy nominations and 22 wins across four seasons. The cast, featuring Jeremy Allen White (Carmy), Ebon Moss‑Bachrach (Richie) and Liza Colón‑Zayas (Tina), has earned multiple nominations and awards over the years. White, a three‑time nominee, was not in contention for Best Actor this cycle; that award went to Matthew Rhys for Widow’s Bay.

Last year, the series earned 13 nominations for its third season but walked away without a win. It also made history when Ayo Edebiri became the first woman nominated for both acting and directing in a comedy series in the same year.

With its final season now on the air, The Bear will have one more opportunity to add to its Emmy tally at next year’s awards ceremony.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.