Abby Elliott on The Bear’s Big Birth Scene
- Abby Elliott's portrayal of Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto in FX's "The Bear" reaches new heights in Season 3.In Episode 8, titled "Ice Chips," Sugar finds herself in labor while...
- The episode shifts away from the restaurant's usual intensity, spotlighting the dynamic between Sugar and Donna as they grapple with their differences. This emotionally charged and humorous interaction...
- “When I was in labor with my son, I recorded the contractions because I knew I was going to have this episode...
Abby Elliott’s performance in “The Bear” Season 3, notably in Episode 8, delivers a powerful portrayal of Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto navigating a challenging birth scene.Elliott’s dedication to realism, drawing from her own labor, elevates the emotional intensity and humor amid a strained relationship with Donna, played by Jamie lee Curtis. This standout performance, showcasing the actress’s talent and the dynamic between mother and daughter, is generating major awards buzz. Beyond the intense hospital drama,the episode underscores sugar’s resilience and the complexities of her character. News Directory 3 follows the developments of the show, understanding the nuances with precision. Discover what’s next for Sugar and her relationships with Richie and Marcus.
Abby Elliott delivers standout performance in The Bear Season 3
Updated June 09, 2025
Abby Elliott’s portrayal of Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto in FX’s “The Bear” reaches new heights in Season 3.In Episode 8, titled “Ice Chips,” Sugar finds herself in labor while stuck in traffic and turns to her mother, Donna, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, for guidance through the contractions.
The episode shifts away from the restaurant’s usual intensity, spotlighting the dynamic between Sugar and Donna as they grapple with their differences. This emotionally charged and humorous interaction provides a showcase for Elliott’s acting abilities, building Emmy buzz for her role in The Bear.
“When I was in labor with my son, I recorded the contractions because I knew I was going to have this episode… The cervical check is something you don’t really see that often in TV or film… It’s such a big part of labor and it’s excruciating,” Elliott said.
Elliott revealed that she prepared for the labor scenes by recording her own contractions during childbirth to ensure a realistic portrayal. She also noted the intensity of filming the 20-page scene with Curtis, emphasizing the importance of capturing the physical pain and emotional nuances.
“When you’re face-to-face with jamie Lee Curtis, you’re really forced to be in the moment. She’s such a fantastic scene partner, there’s no way that you can’t just lock in to her,” Elliott said.
Elliott praised Jamie Lee Curtis as a scene partner, highlighting the organic feel of their performance, which benefited from minimal rehearsal, aligning with director Chris Storer’s vision for the show.
Elliott believes Sugar’s character embodies both resilience and a hint of volatility inherited from Donna. While Sugar maintains composure as the restaurant’s finance manager, she possesses a fiery side that she actively tries to control, particularly in relation to her mother.
“[Sugar] has Donna’s resilience and strength… But there is also a fiery edge inside her where she can get angry pretty quickly… And I think that she’s worked on herself a lot and she’s constantly trying to rein that side of herself in,” Elliott said.
What’s next
Looking ahead, Elliott expressed interest in exploring the dynamic between Sugar and Richie, as well as potential collaborations with Marcus, hinting at future storylines that could further develop Sugar’s character within the evolving landscape of The Bear.