The Bear season 3 has broken a record for streaming service Hulu.
The third season of the hit FX show premiered last week, and has already drawn in a huge amount of viewers – 5.4 million in its first four days, in fact.
As such, the season premiere has become the most-watched scripted premiere on Hulu ever, as well as achieving the best performance for an FX premiere on the streamer (via Variety).
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It also ranks as Hulu's third-biggest premiere ever when unscripted shows are taken into account.
Additionally, the show has increased its viewership by 24% from season 2's premiere last year in the same time period.
The numbers also account for international views on Disney+ as well as Hulu on Disney+ in the US.
The Bear season 3 has largely drawn acclaim from critics – currently sitting at 94% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes – with continued praise for the show's slow-build formula, although some more negative reviews have suggested it offers more of the same.
Related: The Bear star shuts down major fan theory for season 3
The season also marks star Ayo Edebiri's first time behind the camera, with the actor directing the episode 'Napkins'.
Opening up about the directing experience, Edebiri told Variety: "I feel like I got a master class in acting from Liza [Colón-Zayas] and from the other actors who got to grace the screen. I feel like I learned so much from our crew, from our camera department… just from everybody.
"It was really a blast and an honour to get to helm an episode that showcases everything that Liza can do. I mean, not even everything, like a fraction of the things that she can do. She's such a powerhouse."
The Bear seasons 1-3 are available to stream on Disney+ now in the UK, and Hulu in the US.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
