The promise of even a little screen time was enough to entice big names into The Bear’s fold for season two, from Oscar winners, to leading names in Chicago’s restaurant world, and even show insiders.

Brit star Will Poulter, last seen in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, told Variety, “I literally begged to be in the show.” Poulter worked with show creator Christopher Storer to shape Luca, a Copenhagen-based chef who takes pastry chef Marcus under his wing as he skills up in the city. Tatted and with a backstory to tell, Poulter is convincing. Could we see a return of Luca in future seasons?

We learn that Carmy and Luca have history, working together at fictional World’s Best Restaurant, Ever under “Chef Terry”. Played by Oscar winner Olivia Colman it’s a genius-level flex.

Colman isn’t just an Oscar winner, having had three nominations over recent years, as well as bagging a sack load of awards from BAFTA to the Golden Globes. While she has just one scene, peeling mushrooms with Cousin Richie, it’s pivotal in Richie’s arc and holds meaning that’s recalled in the final scenes of season two. No spoilers, you just have to watch.

Nothing could quite top Colman, right? Well, it’s another Oscar winner who does just that. Jamie Lee Curtis as Diane Berzatto, mother to Carmy, Natalie and Michael is on what could be tipped as award-winning form. Like Poulter, Curtis was drawn to the role. Writing on Instagram she said “when I saw the first episode last summer and Sugar asks Carmen if he had spoken to their mother, in that second, I knew that I would play her. Don’t ask me how. I just knew. A year later, after the wild success of the brilliant first season, Chris Storer offered me the role of a lifetime.”

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In the volatile flashback episode where we first meet Diane, there’s the return of Jon Bernthal as Mikey, and Bob Odenkirk of Better Call Saul as Uncle Lee. Sparks fly, as do forks. We meet Cousin Richie’s ex, Tiffany played by former star of Community Gillian Jacobs. Incidentally, Jacobs’ co-star from that hit sitcom Joel McHale returns in the final episode for a blink-and-you-miss-it moment as Carmy’s abusive former boss.

Beyond wondering, who’ll return in season three, the question is who else is in the wings?

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