Lionel Boyce Dishes on Thrilling Filming Experience in Copenhagen for The Bear Season 2

In The Bear, a young chef steps into his brother's restaurant after his unexpected death. While the first season focused on maintaining the business, the finale reveals his decision to elevate the establishment and establish a new popular spot in Chicago. As season 2 unfolds, the employees are challenged to enhance their skills and through this journey, they discover profound insights about themselves.

In the series, Lionel Boyce portrays Marcus, initially perceiving his role at the shop as merely a job. However, as time progresses, he develops a deep passion for his career. Throughout The Bear season 2, Marcus wholeheartedly dedicates himself to every task, allowing the audience to delve deeper into his character and learn more about his personal life. All ten episodes of The Bear season 2 are now available for streaming on Hulu.

Screen Rant had the opportunity to interview Lionel Boyce, where he delved into his initial attraction to The Bear series and the overwhelming reception it received during its first season. Additionally, Lionel shared insights on filming in Copenhagen for the upcoming second season, his anticipation for fans to witness certain aspects of the show, and the gratifying experience of collaborating with Will Poulter. Lastly, he expressed the profound bond that has formed among the cast members of The Bear beyond the confines of the show.

Lionel Boyce on The Bear Season 2

Screen Rant: How did it feel to get all that recognition for The Bear season 1?

Being in the spotlight was a surreal experience for me. Coming from a background where only a handful of people would watch my creations, it felt strange yet exhilarating. Attending award shows and being surrounded by extraordinary individuals felt like stepping into a whole new world. It was like a heightened version of a high school cafeteria, with all these remarkable people gathered in one place, simply enjoying a meal and being themselves.

Simultaneously, there was a sense of awe and admiration. This show holds immense significance for its audience, and they genuinely connect with it. The recognition and respect we receive for our work is truly humbling. It serves as a guiding star for me, a constant reminder of what I strive to achieve. If my creations can evoke such profound emotions in people, then I know I am on the right path.

From the moment I first laid eyes on the script, I knew I wanted to be a part of the show. The pilot had a unique and captivating feel to it. I'm naturally drawn to stories that are different and specific, and this one fit the bill. Having some familiarity with Chris Storer's work as a producer also piqued my interest. As I read through the script, I was blown away by its quality. The tempo, pace, speed, and urgency of the story were palpable, and it was undeniably a well-crafted narrative. Marcus, the character I would be playing, resonated with me on a personal level. I felt a strong connection to him, and I was genuinely excited about the opportunity to bring him to life on screen, knowing the taste level and work ethic of the team involved.

When I first read the script for The Bear season 2, episode 4, I was initially skeptical that my character would be cut. However, as I continued reading, I realized that my role was significant. The producers, Josh Senior and Cooper Wehde, had been eagerly anticipating my reaction and kept asking if I had read the episode yet. After confirming that I had indeed read it, they called me to discuss how amazing it was. I was surprised to learn that instead of faking Chicago to be Copenhagen, we would actually be going there. The whole experience felt surreal, and I couldn't help but think about how fortunate I am to find myself in such extraordinary situations.

Yeah, we went out to film. I was accompanied by Rami, the director of the episode, and Adam Newport Barrett, who was the DP. We wanted to give it a unique vibe compared to the other episodes. During our time there, we enjoyed dining at some fantastic restaurants. I stayed close to an amusement park where I couldn't resist going on a few rides. It was truly incredible and an experience I'll never forget.

Lionel Boyce expressed his initial interest in living on a houseboat, but upon further consideration, he realized it wouldn't be suitable due to its size. Being taller, he found it inconvenient as his head would touch the ceiling while walking, and he couldn't comfortably use the stairs. Despite this, he acknowledged the appeal of the concept, wondering what it would be like to actually reside on a houseboat. He compared the experience to living in a permanent hotel room, where everything feels temporary except for the lack of daily housekeeping. While unsure if he personally would choose this lifestyle, he appreciated the unique aspect of being gently rocked to sleep each night.

During this episode, I had the opportunity to indulge in a plethora of delicious food options from various establishments throughout the city. It felt like a dream come true, reminiscent of Guy Fieri's culinary adventures, where I savored mouthwatering dishes and meticulously used three adjectives to describe each one. One particular standout was Poulette's chicken sandwich, which easily ranks as one of the best I have ever tasted. I had the pleasure of devouring three of them, thanks to multiple takes, but I didn't mind at all because they were simply that good. Our culinary journey also led us to an array of incredible restaurants, such as Sanchez, a fantastic Mexican eatery, and POPL, renowned for its delectable burgers. It became evident that Copenhagen is truly a city dedicated to gastronomic delights, much like how people flock to Los Angeles for the entertainment industry, New York for music, and Copenhagen for its exceptional food scene.

Lionel Boyce has seen great improvement in his cooking skills since working on the show. Despite not having any prior experience, he has made significant progress. Although he doesn't cook as much anymore due to his busy schedule, he dedicated a lot of time to baking in preparation for the show. He excelled in learning how to make various types of doughs. Additionally, he regularly visits the culinary producer's house where they collaborate on making different rolls, breads, and desserts. When he meets up with his friends, he brings the delicious creations he made, making him look like a culinary hero. However, he humbly acknowledges that it is 15% the culinary producer's guidance and 85% his own effort, but he gladly gives her credit for her contribution.

Screen Rant: You got to work closely with Will Poulter this season. With Adam Warlock! What was he like?

No, I didn't try to get spoilers out of him when we were working together.

What aspect of this season are you most eager for people to experience?

Lionel Boyce: I believe viewers will be thrilled to witness the final episodes as this entire season revolves around the pursuit of opening a restaurant. It's like walking a tightrope, constantly striving to reach that goal. The way everything unfolds towards the end is truly captivating, and I personally adore it. I genuinely hope people get the chance to experience it because it's truly remarkable.

Screen Rant: In your opinion, how has Marcus evolved since his initial appearance? It seems like he's gradually growing more self-assured.

Lionel Boyce: Absolutely. I believe that was one of the toughest decisions he had to make. In the beginning, it was simply a job for him. But as time went on, it transformed into something more meaningful - a career, and eventually, a passion. As we enter season 2, we witness the unfolding of this passion, as well as his dedication to refining it. It's like observing a person's growth and transformation in real time, witnessing his mindset evolve and his ambitions soar. Along this journey, he begins to explore new possibilities, becoming more creative and confident in the process. I find it to be an incredible journey, one that resonates with everyone on their own personal level of experience.

Screen Rant: Was it challenging for him to leave his mom and move to Copenhagen?

Lionel Boyce: Filming that particular scene was quite an experience.

Lionel Boyce: Definitely. The bond between us is strong and it really does feel like a family. It's amazing how close we've become throughout this experience.

Lionel Boyce: Fun, camaraderie, and authenticity.

Lionel Boyce: Different but same. Not same but different. Different but same.

About The Bear Season 2

In the second season of FX's The Bear, the highly regarded original series, we witness the efforts of Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), and Richard "Richie" Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they strive to elevate their run-down sandwich joint to new heights. Alongside their journey to renovate the restaurant from scratch, each member of the team embarks on a personal transformation, facing their past and contemplating their aspirations for the future.

Be sure to explore our additional interviews for season 2 of The Bear here:

Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Liza Colón-Zayas

The Bear season 2 is now streaming in its entirety on Hulu.