Edwin Lee Gibson Unpacks The Bear’s ‘Great Articulation of Gentrification’

by

Warning: This discussion contains plot details from the fourth season of The Bear, which was released in its entirety on Hulu on June 25th.

The Beef is going to save the Bear, and you can thank Ebraheim for that.

Originally a long-term cook at a former sandwich shop, portrayed by Edwin Lee Gibson, navigated the different phases of the eatery, leaving culinary school temporarily before resuming service to local working-class patrons through the Bear’s lunchtime window. While most other cast members were drawn into the “upscale” environment of the Bear (with hints that they benefited from it), Ebra maintained and improved the establishment, eventually demonstrating significant profitability in season four. This season, Carmy grapples with financial difficulties, but the Beef’s success encourages Ebra to brainstorm ways to expand the business. These thoughts lead him to seek guidance from a local entrepreneur played by TV legend Rob Reiner, consider expanding the Beef into multiple locations across Chicago, and embark on a character arc that underscores Ebra’s vital role in both the series’ and restaurant’s prosperity.

Gibson compares Ebraheim to himself in many aspects, both being nomads who move towards what benefits them. After completing the second season of ‘Fallout’ and wrapping up his directorial debut short film titled ‘a pink and red dress made of satin … adorned with flowers, mostly roses’, Gibson discusses a profound interpretation of gentrification on this project. In case the strategy to upgrade the area fails, the small, family-owned businesses remain. He ponders about what happens when everything returns to its original state, leaving only these mom-and-pop shops standing.

In the show, Ebra’s proficiency with spreadsheets and graphs is one of his defining traits. It’s fascinating to see him present these to Carmy. This suggests that he has fully embraced the responsibility of running Beef, as hinted at earlier in season one when his military background in East Africa was mentioned. You may wonder, What exactly was his role there? Ebra is more intelligent than people realize, and his journey mirrors that of many immigrants – someone who could be a doctor in their home country but ends up working in a kitchen here. Now, let’s delve into the details of how we discovered Rob Reiner would join the cast, and the collaboration between us two.

In my interactions with Rob, there was an instant connection. I’ve been a fan of his work since he portrayed Michael Stivic on the classic series All in the Family, which holds a special place in my childhood memories. Our first encounter was when we started shooting, and it seemed as though we could continue our conversation endlessly. We engaged in fascinating discussions, and it appears that we spent quite a bit of time together. I jokingly remarked to him, “We’re the comedy duo people didn’t realize they needed.” While many may recognize me primarily as a serious dramatic actor, this opportunity allowed me to showcase my comedic side.

Were you considering a particular role for Ebra in your storyline? Just as a writer’s exercise, I write a scene every season involving Ebra and another character to keep him engaged and better grasp the narrative. Admittedly, I do have an idea for his part in the fifth season. Interestingly enough, if you rearrange “Ebra” into letters, it spells “Bear,” which is intriguing because no one else seems to have noticed this connection except me. [Laughs.] I mentioned this, and Christopher Storer responded with something like, “Dude.” If Ebra is aware of this, it provides a fascinating glimpse into his mental faculties. Upon reflection, you can see how much Ebra and Carmy share in common: their deep affection, though they struggle to express it. Since the second season, I’ve been mulling over their similarities.

I adore the fact that Ebra is among the first individuals Carmy apologizes to this season, since he’s genuinely embracing his mistakes. Shooting those scenes with Jeremy Allen White was a delight. It was one of those instances where you want to replay it not because you’re striving for perfection, but because you don’t wish for the moment to conclude. In a play, I would have eight chances every week for that scene. Here, I might only get four opportunities in a lifetime. Fingers crossed we can capture more of those special moments.

If Carmy needs someone who will truly listen without judgment and allow him the freedom to express himself and apologize sincerely, it’s Ebra. Since season three, Ebra has felt compelled to play a more significant role, driven by his affection for Mikey and Carmy, and that motivation fuels his actions.

Ebra often spends his time alongside Chi-Chi and Chuckie managing the Beef. These characters can be boastful and over-the-top, yet excel at their roles. Could you share some insights about working with Christopher Zucchero and Paulie James?

Christopher Zucchero’s father founded Mr. Beef. He’s such a warm individual. Since the very first season, he refers to me as his acting coach. He tends to get quite anxious. During his initial scene with Rob, he wasn’t able to say a word. As for Paulie, well, he’s just Paulie. Some actors prefer working only with other actors, but I think differently. My role is to subtly guide the ship. That’s what my acting intuition tells me is best when working with someone less experienced in the field.

When the three of you aren’t shooting scenes, are you often discussing food topics?

Not exactly. It’s more like me telling Paulie, “Hey dude, when I drop by your place in West Hollywood, I don’t want to pay for anything.” [Laughs.]

Are you really eating the food shown on the show or is it just for show? How much of it do you actually consume?

Is the food displayed on the program genuine or is it merely a prop? Exactly how much of it do you end up consuming?

Additionally, there have been instances where I’ve eaten things that weren’t meant to be consumed at that time. I thought we had finished filming, but that was early on. Now, I make sure not to eat anything before the cameras are rolling. There are no stand-ins; we all participate in consuming the food. This was a clear preference from Christopher and Joanna Calo from the very beginning. As we’ve improved over time, the camera pulls back more so that viewers can see us preparing and eating the food. Courtney Storer, the culinary producer, and Matty Matheson have such an infectious enthusiasm about the food they discuss, that just listening to them talk can make you gain weight! I always return home from work a few pounds heavier every season. I have to diet afterwards, it’s quite crazy.

One amusing scene this season is when the franchising concept is introduced to Ebra, who then proceeds to recite various restaurant slogans such as “I’m lovin’ it,” “Eat fresh,” and a clever twist on Arby’s with “We have the beefs.” During filming, did they come up with any other slogans?

In this particular instance, we had everyone in stitches. Fortunately, the recording didn’t capture the laughter. Christopher would offer different takes on the spot, and as I see it, the essence of our job is to be an attentive listener. You take in what you hear, and then you respond. The principle of comedy is the rule of threes, and we managed to get four or five variations. There were a few that didn’t make the final cut, but the ones that did were the right ones. It’s important not to prolong it any longer than necessary.

In your extensive theater background, you’ve been part of over 100 productions. You mentioned that being on this show feels like performing for an invisible audience behind the camera. Was there a scene from the fourth season that felt particularly theatrical to you? Well, a memorable instance was when Carmy entered the office and found Ebra still working. In such moments, the set becomes incredibly quiet, and I try to create a space that feels like a stage for me as an actor. When the scene is over, it’s as if the audience is applauding, thanking me for my performance. During outdoor shots, you can feel the crew becoming more silent than usual. They pause and watch, almost like a theater audience. I take my cues from them, just as I would from an actual audience during a live performance. If I miss a mark, they’ll let me know, much like a theater audience would in real-time.

As a follower, I’m eager to delve deeper into Ebra’s character in season five. So far, we’ve witnessed the struggles of others, their ticking clocks, but Ebra’s backstory remains unexplored. I’d like to see him navigating through his daily life, only for his past trauma to resurface unexpectedly. This would provide a stark contrast to the grandeur we’ve come to expect from the show, and offer an opportunity to explore the human heartache that lies beneath the surface.

Read More

2025-07-03 15:55