WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for The Bear season 2!Molly Gordon stars in cast of The Bear season 2 has added plenty of rising stars for recurring roles and veteran actors for major cameos, including Molly Gordon as Claire, Will Poulter as Chef Luca, and Jamie Lee Curtis as Carmy and Sugar’s mother Donna. Surprisingly, a large portion of The Bear season 2’s new characters are unrelated to the restaurant’s renovations, as much of the story is told as the established chefs train for new roles, focus on their family lives, and, in Carmy’s case, embark on romantic storylines.
Far more than the first outing, The Bear season 2 gives significant focus to the personal lives of the chefs at the title restaurant. In addition to showcasing Carmy’s love life for the first time, the sophomore season of FX/Hulu’s hit series highlights Sydney’s relationship with her father, Marcus being a caregiver for his mother, and Carmy’s “cousin” Richie’s dynamic with his daughter and ex-wife Tiff. The most prominently featured new character in The Bear season 2, however, is Molly Gordon’s Claire, who reconnects and forms a relationship with Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy amid the chaos of the new restaurant opening.
What Movies & TV Shows Molly Gordon Has Been In Before The Bear
Before ing The Bear season 2, Molly Gordon came to notoriety for her prominent role in the TV show Animal Kingdom as Nicky Belmont. The actress also notably starred in Olivia Wilde’s acclaimed 2019 comedy movie Booksmart as Annabelle “Triple A,” a popular student who bonds with Beanie Feldstein’s character Molly. Gordon’s other comedy movie credits include roles in Love the Coopers (opposite young Timothée Chalamet), Good Boys, Life of the Party, Shiva Baby, and Netflix’s You People.
Molly Gordon also directed and starred in the 2023 movie Theater Camp, which features The Bear’s Sydney actress Ayo Edebiri in its cast. Additionally, The Bear season 2’s new cast member is recognized for her main role in HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty as Linda Zafrani and her recurring role as Sarah in the Hulu series Ramy. Gordon’s parents are filmmakers Bryan Gordon and Jessie Nelson, who have directed TV shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and movies like 2023’s Waitress, respectively.
Claire's Role In The Bear Season 2 & History With Carmy Explained
Claire is introduced in The Bear season 2, episode 2 when Carmy runs to the store late at night, with the two seeing one another for the first time in years. Since they last spoke, Claire became a doctor and Carmy finally opened up the restaurant he always dreamed about, with Claire even ing that it would be named The Bear. It’s clear from the start that the duo shares a romantic past, but – in an act of self-sabotage – Carmy gives her a fake phone number because he’s always worried something will go wrong if he’s happy. Claire still gets Carmy’s number from Fak, and the two spent more time together before starting a romance in The Bear season 2, episode 5.
The history between Carmy and Claire, who grew up and went to high school together, is explored further in The Bear season 2’s Christmas flashback episode. Richie and Mikey mention that they saw Claire, who they aptly refer to as “Claire Bear,” and state that she was the love of Carmy’s life. The two characters implore Carmy to seek her out after the chaos of Christmas, but Carmy is ready to leave home again. With Claire being someone who knows about Carmy’s family, past, and how he operates, she largely serves as a hopeful source of happiness and comfort outside the restaurant for Carmy in The Bear season 2.