Lionel Boyce: The Calm Center of “The Bear” on FX
DUBAI: US actor, writer, and singer Lionel Boyce has gained recognition for his role as the mild-mannered pastry chef Marcus Brooks in FX on Hulu’s “The Bear,” available for streaming in the Middle East on Disney Plus.
In a show known for its chaos and anxiety-inducing moments, Boyce’s character serves as an island of calm.
Season Three: A Touching Eulogy
Season three of the show delves into Marcus grieving the recent loss of his ailing mother, with his eulogy providing the most touching scene of the season.
In an interview with Arab News, Boyce shared his initial reaction to reading the script for the episode, joking about feeling terrified.
“I just started reading the script and there was just a lot of words. But, no, I think the first thing I felt was … you just feel for him and it pierces your heart a bit,” he said.
Preparing for Emotional Scenes
When preparing for the heart-wrenching scene, Boyce avoided reading other famous monologues but drew inspiration from a scene in the 2021 film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” featuring Daniel Kaluuya.
“I think he reminded me that, in these scenarios, people are just trying to get through the words, you know. They’re trying to do hard stuff, push and suppress these feelings, you don’t want to end up crying. And it’s a hard thing,” Boyce reflected.
Fun Moments on Set
Asked about fun moments on set, Boyce recalled two highlights. One was the final scene of season three, set at a party in an apartment, where the cast enjoyed faking a party while still having a real one.
Another memorable moment for Boyce was indulging in king crab on set, a personal favorite, making it a highlight of his life.