The Bear Season 3 had a lot on its plate, but it also found a way to add some famous guest stars. Josh Hartnett was one of them, and the actor explained how his cameo came to be.

The Bear Season 2 introduced several high-profile cameos from actors like Jamie Lee Curtis, Bob Odenkirk, and Olivia Colman, and Season 3 continued the tradition. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Josh Hartnett explained the cameo wasn't a last-minute decision, but it was something years in the making. In Season 3, Josh Hartnett plays Frank, a character that has been hinted at in past seasons, but never made an appearance. He plays Tiffany's fiancé and Richie's worst nightmare.

Hartnett explained that he met The Bear creator Chris Storer several years ago. “I remember him mentioning that he was trying to make this other film about chefs, because his sister [The Bear producer Courtney Storer] was a chef, and then years went by and I started hearing all this hype about The Bear,” Hartnett recalled. “It sounded really familiar, so I checked it out and saw Chris’ name and was amazed. I called him immediately to say congratulations and tell him the show was incredible.”

I said yes right away, before I even read the script.

As for his cameo, the Trap actor explains the move was "organic," but there were some organizational things at play before they got to work together. "He was like, thanks man, we have to work together at some point, let’s make this happen. And then maybe a year goes by and he called my agent and said we’ve got a role for Josh. I said yes right away, before I even read the script, because I wanted to work with him."

Hartnett continued, "Our business can be cruel at times, and sometimes you get really lucky and meet people you really admire. Chris and I always got along, so I was just delighted that he asked. And I have to say that they have so much fun making that show. It shouldn’t be called work. Actors just come to set and hang out even on their days off. It feels like a group of friends making a show at University or something. Yet it’s this phenomenal success."

The Bear Season 3 Was Filled With Cameos

Delivering an episode like Season 2's "Fishes" came with a lot of pressure for the following seasons, in terms of storytelling, cameos, and character development. Season 3 delivered on all three, adding even more familiar faces aside from Josh Hartnett. The series, which has already been renewed for Season 4, had many exciting faces.

The new season brought DC's John Cena on board, who played Sammy Fak, one of Neil (Matty Matheson)'s brothers. Bradley Cooper had a small appearance, as well as new Taylor Swift mentions (this time, with Swift's "Long Live (Taylor's Version)" from Speak Now (Taylor's Version). The singer also had several mentions in Season 2. Olivia Colman, Joel McHale, Will Poulter, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jon Bernthal all returned as guest stars.

Of course, The Bear being a show about the hospitality industry, it wouldn't have been complete with some real-life chef stars. Aside from Matty Matheson, who is part of the cast, The Bear Season 3 also featured Daniel Boulud of New York City’s Daniel, René Redzepi of Noma, Nobu Matsuhisa from the restaurant empire Nobu (in a brief photo), Thomas Keller of California’s the French Laundry, among many others.