If you’ve binged every episode of FX’s ‘The Bear’ and are now left with a Carmy-sized hole in your heart, you’re not alone. This acclaimed series masterfully combines the high-stakes chaos of a professional kitchen with deeply personal character drama, all served with a side of raw, unfiltered emotion and lightning-fast dialogue. It’s a pressure cooker of brilliant storytelling that leaves you breathless and craving more.
But what do you watch when you’ve devoured all of ‘The Bear’? We’ve cooked up a list of 10 incredible shows that capture that same unique blend of intense character studies, high-pressure environments, dysfunctional family dynamics, and a healthy dose of raw realism. Get ready to add your next obsession to the watchlist!
1. Succession (HBO)
While trading aprons for power suits, ‘Succession’ offers a masterclass in dysfunctional family dynamics and high-stakes environments. The Roys, much like the Berzattos, are a family business, albeit a media empire instead of a sandwich shop. Expect razor-sharp dialogue, intense power struggles, and characters you love to hate (and sometimes just love). The pressure is constant, the stakes are astronomical, and the family drama is deliciously toxic.
2. Shameless (US) (Showtime/Netflix)
For a deep dive into urban grit, struggling families, and dark humor, ‘Shameless’ is an absolute must. Follow the Gallagher family as they navigate poverty, addiction, and their own chaotic lives on the South Side of Chicago. It mirrors ‘The Bear’s’ portrayal of people trying to survive and improve their lot against overwhelming odds, with a similar blend of humor, heartbreak, and resilience.
3. Boiling Point (TV Series) (BBC One/Prime Video)
If it’s the sheer kitchen chaos and pressure you’re after, look no further than the TV series sequel to the critically acclaimed film ‘Boiling Point.’ Set in a high-end restaurant on the busiest night of the year, this series amplifies the stress, the stakes, and the personal drama of a kitchen crew under immense pressure. It’s as authentic and nerve-wracking as it gets, offering a direct parallel to ‘The Bear’s’ culinary intensity.
4. Barry (HBO)
A dark comedy-drama, ‘Barry’ follows a hitman who finds a new passion in acting, leading to an identity crisis and a trail of increasingly complex problems. Like ‘The Bear,’ it masterfully blends humor with profound drama, explores character transformation under pressure, and features intense, unexpected bursts of chaos. Bill Hader’s performance is as captivating as Jeremy Allen White’s.
5. Better Call Saul (AMC/Netflix)
While a prequel to ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Better Call Saul’ stands on its own as an incredible character study. It meticulously chronicles the transformation of Jimmy McGill into the morally compromised lawyer Saul Goodman. The show shares ‘The Bear’s’ attention to detail, slow-burn tension, high stakes (legal and criminal), and a deep exploration of complex relationships and personal decline.
6. Ozark (Netflix)
The Byrde family’s desperate struggle to launder money for a drug cartel puts them under constant, suffocating pressure, much like Carmy trying to keep his family business afloat. ‘Ozark’ is a masterclass in high-stakes family drama, moral compromises, and relentless tension. If you like the feeling of watching characters on the edge, this is your next binge.
7. Fleabag (Prime Video)
For a raw, witty, and deeply emotional character study, ‘Fleabag’ delivers in spades. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s groundbreaking series explores grief, desire, and self-destruction with unparalleled honesty and dark humor. While not a workplace drama, it shares ‘The Bear’s’ ability to draw you into the complex inner world of its protagonist, often breaking the fourth wall to do so.
8. The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)
If the dysfunctional family business aspect of ‘The Bear’ resonated with you, but you crave more dark comedy and outrageous characters, ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ is perfect. It follows a famous, but deeply flawed, televangelist family as they navigate their empire, personal demons, and various criminal enterprises. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt at times.
9. Animal Kingdom (TNT/Prime Video)
Centered on a Southern California crime family, ‘Animal Kingdom’ offers intense family drama, high stakes, and a constant battle for survival and power. The Cody family, much like the Berzattos, is a tight-knit unit bound by loyalty and dysfunction, constantly dealing with external threats and internal betrayals. It’s gritty, intense, and pulls no punches.
10. Reservation Dogs (FX/Hulu)
This critically acclaimed series offers a unique and authentic look at four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who dream of moving to California. While different in setting and pace, ‘Reservation Dogs’ captures the essence of found family, navigating difficult circumstances, and the poignant humor found in everyday struggles. It’s character-driven, heartfelt, and beautifully real.
From high-pressure kitchens to crime syndicates and everything in between, these shows offer the emotional depth, intense character dynamics, and gripping storytelling that made ‘The Bear’ a breakout hit. So, grab your comfort food (maybe not an Italian beef, for a change!) and settle in for your next thrilling ride. Which one will you start with?