Summary

• Olivia Colman s The Bear season 3 as Chef Terry, expanding her role in season 4.
• Colman's performance in The Bear is critically acclaimed, potentially earning her Emmy nominations.
• The Bear serves as a successful replacement for The Crown, showcasing Colman's versatility.

Olivia Colman's latest appearance in a critically acclaimed television series could be her replacement for outstanding actors in The Crown, which won an impressive 21 Emmy Awards during its six-season run. The Crown was created by Peter Morgan, the acclaimed writer of Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Rush (2013), Frost/Nixon (2008), and The Queen (2006).

Colman is an Oscar, Emmy, and BAFTA-winning actress celebrated for her roles in Yorgos Lanthimos' The Favourite (2018), The Lost Daughter (2021), and The Father (2020). She gained prominence from starring in the very popular British comedy series Peep Show, which first aired in 2003. She recently appeared in the 2023 box office hit Wonka alongside Timothy Chalamet and is set to star as The Reverend Mother in the Paddington in Peru expected to be released in January 2025.

The Bear Is Proving To Be Olivia Colman's New TV Replacement For The Crown

Colman's season 2 guest appearance was expanded on in season 3

Olivia Colman first appeared in The Bear season 2, episode 7 "Forks" as Chef Terry. "Forks" is often considered one of the best episodes of The Bear because of its focus on fan-favorite character Richie's development, which is where Chef Terry enters the fold. Colman's guest appearance started as a cameo but is growing into a recurring and more narratively meaningful role in The Bear season 3. It looks like she's set up to return for season 4 as well in some capacity.

Colman's performance as Chef Andrea Terry is also arguably her most popular and acclaimed TV role since leaving The Crown. Some of the guest appearances in The Bear season 2, such as the ones by Bob Odenkirk and Sarah Paulson, were not revised in season 3, but Colman was one of several guest actors who returned to make a big impact in The Bear's third season. She ends up playing a critical role in Carmy's early development as a world-class chef and is one of the few people Carmy can seek professional advice from.

Olivia Colman's Queen Elizabeth & Chef Terry Are Completely Different (But Could Both Win Her Emmys)

Colman appears in 3 of The Bear's greatest episodes

While it may seem like a surprise for Colman to appear in both The Bear and The Crown, which are thematically opposite series, it makes sense considering her awards history and both of the shows' critical acclaim. Since Colman has been done with The Crown for several years, she was bound to find another exceptional series to attach herself to, which ended up being 10-time Emmy winner The Bear. At this point, it would be pretty shocking if Colman did not get an Emmy nomination for her role in The Bear, which would hopefully inspire a more consistent role in future seasons.