The Bear: Unveiling Will Poulter's Remarkable Journey, Enigmatic Tattoos, and Intriguing Casting Secrets

Summary

Will Poulter "begged" to be included in The Bear, and his persistence paid off, leading to one of his favorite professional experiences.

Poulter's character Luca shares a history with Carmy and forms a deep connection with Marcus in the course of the episode. Poulter, being involved in the design of Luca's tattoos, imbues them with profound significance derived from Poulter's own experiences and Luca's love for food.

Will Poulter's portrayal of Luca in season 2 of The Bear was remarkable. His character, a dessert chef working alongside Marcus during his pastry chef training in Copenhagen, stood out as one of the most compassionate and affable in the ensemble cast. Additionally, The Bear season 2 boasted an impressive lineup of guest stars including Olivia Colman, Bob Odenkirk, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Mulaney, and Sarah Paulson. However, Poulter's performance in episode 4, "Honeydew," showcased the depth and development of Luca's character. Initially gruff and distant, Luca eventually forms a genuine and heartfelt connection with Marcus. Notably, the story of how Poulter secured the role is just as intriguing as the episode itself.

Will Poulter "Begged" For A Role In The Bear

In order to land a role in a TV show, it is common for actors to participate in casting calls and auditions for available positions. However, established actors like Poulter may also receive offers for guest-starring roles without having to actively seek them out. Despite this, Poulter was so captivated by The Bear that he took the initiative to personally request to be part of an upcoming episode. Putting aside his reputation, he contacted the show's producers and made a heartfelt plea to be included. Season 1 had already featured notable guests such as Amy Morton and Molly Ringwald, leaving the guest roles for season 2 open for the taking.

Poulter arranged a meeting with the series creator, Christopher Storer, during which he expressed his admiration for Storer's work and conveyed how much of an honor it would be to portray a character in The Bear. Impressed by Poulter's passion, Storer offered him the role of Luca in the fourth episode of the upcoming season. This act of persistence proved worthwhile for Poulter, as it resulted in one of his most cherished professional experiences. Despite the anticipation and the plea, Poulter was immensely satisfied with the opportunity to appear on his favorite show. He believes that guest-starring in The Bear fundamentally transformed his life and may even be the pinnacle of his career thus far.

Will Poulter's Character's History With Carmy

While it’s never explicitly mentioned, Luca's past connection with Carmy is strongly suggested. Luca shares that his introduction to the restaurant industry occurred when he was caught attempting to evade a check, compelling him to repay his debt by washing dishes. Through trial and error, he acquired culinary skills, eventually finding employment as a commis in a prestigious establishment where he lived in the shadow of a vastly superior chef, strongly implied to be Carmy. Further validating this assumption, a photograph featuring Luca and Carmy together surfaces later in the season.

What Luca's Tattoos In The Bear Mean

In addition to bringing his role on The Bear to life, Poulter played a significant role in the development of Luca's tattoos. Working alongside tattoo designer Benny Shields and the show's head of makeup, Ignacia Soto-Aguilar, the actor contributed his own tattoo ideas based on meaningful aspects of his life and the character's backstory. Poulter sketched preliminary drawings, which Shields skillfully transformed into the stunning designs showcased in the series. Remarkably, these tattoos were inked onto Poulter's body roughly two weeks after he committed to the show, even before signing a contract.

Each of Luca’s tattoos has a deeper meaning:

The “A” tattooed on Luca’s hand is a tribute to Arsenal F.C., a football team that Poulter supports.

The nurse tattoo pays homage to Poulter's extensive lineage of nurses, which was the family's profession before he gained fame in the entertainment industry.

The fish and chips tattoo holds a deeper significance beyond representing Poulter's English roots. During his childhood, Poulter shared countless meals of fish and chips with his father, thus the tattoo serves as a tribute to him. Additionally, it reflects Luca's ardent enthusiasm for culinary arts on a personal level.

Poulter's tattoo of a Tabasco bottle pays homage to his food-enthusiast brother and represents Luca's love for cooking, given Tabasco's powerful flavor.

As for the rowboat with the spatula tattoo, it was simply created for amusement, but Poulter is now contemplating getting it permanently inked as a whimsical addition.

Why Will Poulter's Role In The Bear Is So Important

Despite appearing in only one episode, Luca plays a significant role in season 2 of The Bear. The series has left audiences curious about Carmy's backstory, and Luca's involvement provides a crucial piece of that puzzle. However, Luca's significance goes beyond that. He serves as a stark contrast to Carmy, particularly through his relationship with Marcus. Carmy attempted to guide Marcus but their approaches couldn't be more different. Luca's mentoring style is much kinder and compassionate, leading Marcus onto a better path than when he worked under Carmy.

Additionally, there is an emotional reason why Poulter chose to portray a chef in The Bear. Growing up with a mother who attended culinary school, he developed a deep appreciation for the art of cooking and the pleasures of food. This personal connection may explain why he harbors such a strong affinity for The Bear. To prepare for his role, Poulter collaborated with the show's culinary producer, Courtney Storer. In order to fully immerse himself in the character, Poulter worked in three distinct restaurants throughout London: Trullo, St. John, and Black Axe Mangal. This experience of embodying Luca and learning how to cook for the character allowed Poulter to establish a profound connection to his mother.

Source: Variety