The Bear season 3 spoilers follow.
The Bear star Liza Colón-Zayas has addressed the show's future beyond season 4.
The series has just returned for its third season, with a fourth run confirmed earlier this year.
While there has been no official word on The Bear beyond that, Colón-Zayas – who plays line cook Tina Marrero in the show – has expressed optimism for the series to go for many more years yet.
Related: The Bear's third season debuts with strong Rotten Tomatoes score
"I would love to see the show potentially continue for at least another five years!" she told the Radio Times.
"But only if that's… there's that line that Richie had in the beginning, like: 'It is a delicate ecosystem'," she added. "And I think that as long as that is inspired and nurtured then we'll have the magic that we have. So that's more important. Five more seasons, please!"
The actor also teased what could be coming in the future for the show's characters, suggesting that "the future is very fragile".
Related: The Bear star shuts down major fan theory for season 3
"You know, we're white knuckling it, but that's also very real, right? Especially now, the state of everything, but especially the restaurant industry. It's not a walk in the park. I'm nervous too."
Following its debut last week, The Bear season 3's premiere has broken a huge record for streaming service Hulu, becoming the most-watched scripted premiere on the service ever after drawing in 5.4 million viewers in its first four days.
In other news, star Ayo Edebiri has opened up about directing an episode of the show for the first time, with the star helming 'Napkins', focusing on the character of Tina.
"It was really a blast and an honour to get to helm an episode that showcases everything that Liza can do," she told Variety. "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.
