Ramy Youssef: A Fan-Turned-Director’s Journey with ‘The Bear’

While many are fans of the FX series ‘The Bear’ from day one, Ramy Youssef stands out. As a close friend of Christopher Storer, the show’s creator, and an executive producer of his Hulu comedy drama ‘Ramy,’ Youssef has been a fan from the very beginning. He recalls, “Chris sent me the pilot, and it kind of blew me away.”

Emmy Nomination and Stepping Behind the Camera

Youssef’s association with the FX series goes beyond fandom. He stepped behind the camera for the second season’s “Honeydew” episode, earning him an Emmy nomination for outstanding directing. This episode takes Marcus, played by Lionel Boyce (who is also nominated for outstanding supporting actor), to Copenhagen, where he crafts unique pastries with Will Poulter’s stern chef Luca. Poulter too has been nominated for his guest actor role.

Directing: A Necessity, Not a Preference

Youssef humorously points out that his opportunity to direct was more out of necessity than preference. “Chris called me and was like, ‘Listen, man, I can’t be in two places at once. I trust you to do your thing,’ and he let me go do that,” he says.

Scouting in Denmark’s Capital

What was supposed to be a few days of scouting in Denmark’s capital turned into weeks of exploration for Youssef. He likens this process to the roaming around that eventually made it into the episode, calling it a “love letter to the city.”

Working with Lionel Boyce

Youssef shares his experience of walking through Copenhagen with Lionel Boyce. They staged at Noma, a legendary kitchen, discussing Boyce’s character’s first overseas trip. Youssef praises Boyce’s onscreen presence and empathy, attributing much of the character Marcus’s essence to him. He also talks about shaping the dynamic between Marcus and Luca, Will Poulter’s character.

Will Poulter’s Return

Youssef expresses his surprise and delight at seeing Will Poulter return for the episode. He discusses the conversations he had with Poulter about Marcus leaving a chaotic Chicago kitchen to focus on his craft in Copenhagen. They also talked about finding a grounded way to portray prayer onscreen, which they felt was missing in contemporary film and TV.

The Final Shot

Youssef talks about the final shot, where Marcus is seen meticulously crafting his dessert and then taking a satisfying bite. He reveals that this wasn’t originally the end of the episode but was discovered during the edit. He describes this as the most significant achievement of the episode, a moment of expansion and growth.

The Little Things

Youssef highlights the importance of the little things, referring to a scene where Marcus helps a man who’s had a bike accident. He talks about the importance of service and how this scene, ultimately about a hug, was full of meaning despite its seeming insignificance.

This story was first featured in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To subscribe to the magazine, click here.

FAQs

Who is Ramy Youssef?

Ramy Youssef is a longtime friend of Christopher Storer, the creator of the FX series ‘The Bear.’ He also served as an executive producer of Storer’s Hulu comedy drama ‘Ramy.’

What role did Ramy Youssef play in ‘The Bear’?

Youssef stepped behind the camera to direct the second season’s “Honeydew” episode of ‘The Bear.’ His work earned him an Emmy nomination for outstanding directing.

Who are the main characters in the “Honeydew” episode?

The “Honeydew” episode focuses on Marcus, played by Lionel Boyce, and Luca, played by Will Poulter. Both actors received Emmy nominations for their roles.

What is the “Honeydew” episode about?

The “Honeydew” episode sees Marcus leaving a chaotic Chicago kitchen to focus on his craft in Copenhagen, where he crafts unique pastries with Luca.

Credit: www.hollywoodreporter.com