On what date was principal photography for the final season set to begin?

Principal photography for The Bear’s final season was set to begin on January 5, 2026.

The date came from production reporting before filming began. Jeremy Allen White revealed the planned start during a November 2025 interview, giving fans an early indication of when the Chicago-set production would return. “Principal photography” means the main phase of filming with the actors and crew, rather than preparation such as location scouting, rehearsals, or set construction.

The schedule placed season 5 production in the winter. Reported filming locations included Chicago’s Ukrainian Village and the Green Door Tavern near Mr. Beef, the real restaurant that helped inspire the fictional Original Beef of Chicagoland. Production later wrapped by March 28, 2026.

The other dates in the choices are easy to confuse with real milestones. July 1, 2025 was associated with reporting about the renewal, March 28 was the reported completion date, and May 5, 2026 was the release date of the surprise special episode “Gary,” not the start of principal photography.