The culinary chaos of The Bear is heating up once again, and fans are buzzing with excitement as Jamie Lee Curtis makes her highly anticipated return for Season 4. The acclaimed FX on Hulu series, known for its intense kitchen drama and stellar guest stars, welcomed back the Oscar-winning actress as Donna Berzatto, the volatile matriarch of the Berzatto family, in the latest batch of episodes released on June 26, 2025. With Curtis’s Emmy-winning portrayal already a standout from Seasons 2 and 3, her comeback has ignited a wave of enthusiasm among viewers, who are eager to see how her character’s emotional journey unfolds. As of 09:36 AM +07 on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the anticipation is palpable, with fans sharing their excitement across social media and eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this gripping dramedy.

The Bear, created by Christopher Storer, follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) as he transforms his family’s Chicago sandwich shop into a fine-dining restaurant while grappling with personal and familial turmoil. Curtis first joined the cast in Season 2’s iconic “Fishes” episode, a flashback to a disastrous Christmas dinner that showcased her as the alcoholic, manic Donna. Her performance, marked by frenetic energy and heartbreaking vulnerability, earned her a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2024. She returned in Season 3’s “Ice Chips,” where Donna supported her daughter Natalie “Sugar” (Abby Elliott) during childbirth, hinting at a path toward redemption. Now, in Season 4, Curtis’s presence promises to deepen the family dynamics, a prospect that has fans on edge.

The announcement of her return came with the Season 4 trailer, teasing a significant moment between Donna and Carmy. Episode 9, “Tonnato,” delivers a pivotal scene where the two confront their strained relationship. Set in Donna’s home, the episode features them revisiting old family photos, with Donna revealing a year of sobriety and reading an apology letter to Carmy. This raw exchange, marked by Curtis’s nuanced performance, shows Donna seeking amends, while Carmy begins to reciprocate, acknowledging his own guilt. Fans have hailed this as a highlight, with many calling it “devastating” and a “watershed moment” for her character. The episode’s emotional weight, combined with Curtis’s ability to balance chaos and tenderness, has only heightened the buzz.

Curtis’s journey with The Bear began with a personal connection. She has shared that she envisioned playing Donna after watching Season 1, particularly a scene where Sugar urges Carmy to call their mother. Her intuition paid off when Storer cast her, and she approached the role with a deep understanding drawn from her own experiences as the child of alcoholics and her 25 years of sobriety. In a recent interview, she reflected on the redemptive arc, noting, “If we’re not healing, we’re dying,” a sentiment that resonates with Donna’s evolution from a destructive force to a figure seeking reconciliation. This authenticity has struck a chord, with viewers relating to the portrayal of family dysfunction and recovery.

Season 4, comprising 10 episodes, continues the show’s tradition of blending kitchen stress with personal growth. The premiere on June 26, 2025, saw all episodes drop on Hulu, a move that has sparked mixed reviews—Rotten Tomatoes currently lists an 85% critics score and a 69% audience score, the lowest in the series’ history. Yet, Curtis’s return stands out as a bright spot. Her scenes, particularly with Carmy and Sugar, offer a counterbalance to the season’s focus on the restaurant’s challenges, including a critical review and Sydney’s (Ayo Edebiri) job offer dilemma. The wedding episode, “The Bears,” further showcases her, alongside guest stars like Brie Larson and Josh Hartnett, reinforcing the family theme that fans adore.

Fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive regarding Curtis. Posts found on social media platforms praise her ability to embody Donna’s complexity, with comments like “She killed it” and “Her scene with Carmy was absolutely heartbreaking.” Many appreciate the unfiltered portrayal of an aging woman, with one fan noting, “Seeing her with all her expressions, unaltered, was so refreshing.” This resonates with Curtis’s own stance on embracing natural aging, a choice that enhances Donna’s relatability. Others have drawn personal connections, with some calling the “Fishes” episode “too hard to watch” due to its depiction of chaotic family gatherings, a testament to Curtis’s immersive performance.

The Season 4 narrative builds on Donna’s prior appearances. In “Fishes,” her meltdown—culminating in crashing her car into the house—left a lasting scar on the family, particularly Carmy, who hadn’t spoken to her since. Season 3’s “Ice Chips,” loosely based on Elliott’s real-life birth, showed Donna stepping up during Sugar’s labor, a moment of service that Curtis highlighted as a turning point. Season 4 extends this arc, with Donna’s sobriety and apology suggesting a fragile hope for healing. Fans are eager to see if this progress holds, especially as Carmy’s own mental health struggles persist, creating a parallel redemption story.

Curtis’s return also benefits from the show’s ensemble strength. Alongside White, Edebiri, and Elliott, Season 4 features returning guest stars like Jon Bernthal, Sarah Paulson, and John Mulaney, plus newcomers like Will Poulter. The wedding episode, with its 69-minute runtime, allows for extended character moments, including Donna’s interactions with Natalie, who sends updates about her grandchild, signaling a softening relationship. This ensemble approach, praised for its prestige-level storytelling, amplifies Curtis’s impact, making her scenes a focal point amid the season’s mixed reception.

Behind the scenes, Curtis’s involvement reflects her admiration for The Bear. She has described the set as a place where actors “let it rip,” crediting Storer’s direction and the cast’s chemistry. Her secrecy during Season 2’s filming—using coded call sheets and staying under the radar—added to the surprise of her debut, a tactic she repeated for later seasons. This dedication, combined with her recent Emmy nomination for Season 3, underscores her commitment, even as she juggles projects like Freakier Friday and Ella McCay.

The excitement isn’t just about Curtis but what her return signifies. The Bear’s focus on family—biological, cultural, and chosen—resonates deeply, and Donna’s arc offers a lens into that theme. Fans hope Season 4’s emotional breakthroughs pave the way for Season 5, already renewed and slated for 2026. Some speculate on a broader Berzatto family exploration, though Curtis has ruled out a Donna spin-off, preferring to support the main narrative. This stance aligns with her love for the show’s collective storytelling, a sentiment echoed by viewers who see her as a catalyst for its heart.

As the season unfolds, Curtis’s performance continues to dominate discussions. Her ability to shift from unhinged to hopeful has redefined Donna, making her a character fans can’t wait to revisit. With The Bear streaming now on Hulu, the anticipation for how her story intertwines with Carmy’s and Sugar’s keeps the community engaged. For many, Curtis’s return is more than a cameo—it’s a promise of the raw, relatable drama that keeps The Bear sizzling.