Lionel Boyce on ‘The Bear’ Season 5 and Marcus’ Candle Trick

Has “The Bear” changed your relationship to food?

It has. I’m more adventurous in my eating habits now than before the show. I have the curiosity to research like a chef, even if I don’t always put it into practice.

The final season just dropped, and people have started to binge. Are there things you think will surprise people?

Personally, I was concerned. “Concerned” might not be the right word — but it’s the risk when people have invested so much in these characters. After four seasons, everyone is familiar with them and has expectations. Chris and the writers have consistently found ways to take unexpected yet organic turns. So, with each season, I wonder about the audience’s reception.

This season, that curiosity was heightened due to Marcus’s storyline. Throughout his ups and downs, he has been a consistent source of relief for viewers — and now, he’s adding to the tension.

The season mostly plays out over the course of one night. Did you shoot chronologically?

We shot the initial few episodes in order, but Ayo [Edebiri] and Ebon [Moss-Bachrach] had Broadway commitments, so they had a strict schedule. We shuffled things around, but for a couple of later episodes, like Episode 6, we shot sequentially. The first 10 to 12 minutes of that episode are almost in real time, requiring careful choreography.

I would imagine it would be easier to build up to Marcus’ anxiety until it boils over in Episode 5.

What I love about filming this show is that it’s a fully functioning kitchen. Even elements like the rain this season were created with elaborate stage contraptions. It’s easy to immerse yourself. When action is called, all senses are engaged. There’s this natural tension, as if the walls are closing in — you hear voices, smell food, see stressed faces. It doesn’t take much to heighten that tension. This season’s tight shots and rapid movements made it the most intense shoot for me personally.

Because of how it was shot, or because of the emotion behind the final season?

I think it’s both. Emotionally, knowing it’s the end, you’re grappling with feelings you’re trying to contain. Each time on set, I thought, “This is it.”

Can you talk about Marcus lashing out at Luca? What’s going on in that moment?

Marcus is grappling with several layers of emotions, with many underlying ones. He feels abandoned as the restaurant seems to be closing and two key figures in his life are leaving. Luca and Carmy have been instrumental in shaping his craft and encouraging him. Now it feels like they’re leaving when there’s no hope left. There’s no food, no money, and it’s all falling apart — and they don’t seem to care. He has no one to lean on for comfort.

Marcus has witnessed his mother’s illness and death, dealing with it alone, without siblings. And now the people he considers family are leaving. Coupled with the pressure of a bad day and uncertainty about the future — it sets the perfect stage for lashing out. On top of that, there’s his unresolved history with his father. Harry Lennix deserves credit for portraying such a complex character with minimal scenes, delivering it powerfully. Meeting him was impactful; he reminded me of my father in many ways.

How much of a backstory did you create for Marcus’ relationship with his dad?

I consistently asked Chris about Marcus’s family background. As an actor, you draw your own conclusions. Then the writers might say, “I know you thought he had two siblings, but actually it’s just him and his mom.” Chris mentioned Marcus had only seen his father a few times, and that’s it. His dad wasn’t present for any moments with his mom. So I built on that, portraying his father as a ghost in his life. Losing one parent makes you think about the other more.

In Season 4, when his dad reaches out after his mom’s passing, it sparked more questions. I wanted Marcus to meet him — I was upset that Marcus didn’t. Chris and I discussed it, and for Marcus, it was about doing things on his terms. Marcus is usually accommodating, but in this instance, he chose to protect himself instead of placating his father, which I found powerful.

Marcus decides to reunite with his dad by serving him. It’s an interesting dynamic.

Marcus wants to do it on his own terms. Maybe his father wants to ease his conscience and guilt by meeting once. Marcus doesn’t want that. The dream is to do what you love and show people what you’ve achieved. Marcus’s journey is about expression. This season, he wins an award and thinks, “I’ll invite my dad to show him who I am.” When Marcus insists on serving his father, it’s like saying, “No, we’re doing this my way. You sit down, no words. Let me show you who I am.” You can ignore words, but not other senses.

It’s a continuation of the nonverbal communication he had with his mom.

Exactly, you’re spot on. It’s the quiet moments with Marcus that I cherish. He communicates with his dad through the sundae he serves.

The scene where he cuts the candle in half to reveal the hot caramel inside is sort of breathtaking.

It’s entertaining. It reminded me of Marcus from the show’s first episode. He’s childlike on the inside, presenting a magic trick.

In terms of Marcus’ final scene with Luca at the airport, do you feel there were things left unsaid? Or was there resolution between those characters?

I believe there was resolution. There’s a mutual understanding of “we’re brothers.” Families fight. They’ll cross paths again. It’s a bittersweet farewell. Marcus recognizes he’s not alone. He has people, things are okay. He’s ready for what’s next.

Over the course of five seasons, Marcus’ confidence has grown, and, in many ways, he’s found himself. I wondered if your experience as an actor mirrored what was going on in the show?

Absolutely, 100%. I’ve always felt it’s life imitating art or vice versa — I’m unsure which leads. Each season brought challenges I feared, and the show made me decide, “I’m just going to do it.” They believed in me, so I chose to act rather than back out. That was my mindset in the first two seasons.

As I progressed, I learned from conversations with Ebon and Liza [Colón-Zayas] and others on the show — they instilled a lot of confidence in me. Even with tasks like press, which I disliked early on, I remember initially not speaking much. Ebon once said, “Why don’t you speak more? You have valuable thoughts. Don’t overthink it.” That encouraged me to follow curiosity over fear.

This mirrors Marcus. Initially, when he worked on desserts, he was cautious — in Season 1, he’d present something to Carmy or Syd and watch them taste it, wondering if it was good. As he progressed, he stopped seeking their approval and focused on his curiosity and passion.

The beauty of a show where characters evolve is that writers explore different emotions, and I find my entry point into those feelings. Some aren’t ones I’d usually express, but acting them out on the show has allowed me to incorporate more into my life. It feels like an organic growth — each one progresses the other.

How do you say goodbye to a character like Marcus? Do you have any rituals?

I’m probably one of the worst at goodbyes. I think, “Maybe it’ll be easy if I pretend I’ll see them again tomorrow.” It still sneaks up on you, and that’s what’s happening to me with this show. The truth is, I don’t know how to say goodbye. I think I’ll just let it linger until one day I realize it’s over.

Do you feel in your heart that this is the last time you’ll play the character?

I think so. It would surprise me just as it would surprise others. Maybe it’ll come back, but I doubt it. I think this is it, and I’m okay with that. The journey felt complete. There’s nothing I wish to revisit. This is a satisfying conclusion for the character. Nothing was left unresolved.

Did you take any souvenirs from set?

I wish I took more. I took some favorite pieces from Marcus’s wardrobe, a couple of aprons, and some books. I would’ve taken more if I could fit it in my bag, but it was the last day, and I was overwhelmed. When they yell “wrap” and you’re saying goodbye, you go blank. You’re blank for the rest of the day. I felt distant from my feelings. I tried to remember everything — to capture it with my eyes for later reflection — so I wasn’t in the right state to take everything I wanted.