AfterThe Bearseason 4, its two main stars both haveOscarcontenders releasing in just three months. FX’s acclaimed culinary drama features multiple actors who have won Emmys for their performances, including Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Liza Colón-Zayas, Jon Bernthal, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The show has also served as a springboard for some of its younger stars.
White, in addition to starring in the devastating A24 dramaThe Iron Claw, has been cast as the voice of Rotta the Hutt in theStar Wars: Mandalorian and Grogumovie, set for release in May 2026. Edebiri, on the other hand, has opted more for indie films, such as the comediesBottomsandTheater Camp,and the A24 horror movieOpus.
Now thatThe Bearseason 4has been released,White and Edebiri have new movies coming outin just three months, and they both could be contenders at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026.
Jeremy Allen White & Ayo Edebiri’s Oscars 2026 Contenders Explained
They Star In Deliver Me From Nowhere & After The Hunt
Jeremy Allen White stars as Bruce SpringsteeninDeliver Me from Nowhere. The upcomingmusical biopicchronicles the creation of Springsteen’s 1982 album,Nebraska, and captures a pivotal moment in the young artist’s life when he stood on the brink of superstardom and was grappling with the weight of success and the lingering shadows of his past.
TheDeliver Me from Nowheretrailerwas released this past June and immediately launched White into the awards season conversation.The actor performs his own vocals in the movie, and they sound eerily similar to Springsteen himself. At the end of the trailer, White perfectly captures Springsteen’s energetic stage presence during a live performance of “Born to Run.”
Edebiri, on the other hand, stars inLuca Guadagnino’sAfter the Hunt, which follows a college professor grappling with her secretive past when a colleague faces a serious allegation. Its star-studded cast also includes Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.Deliver Me from NowhereandAfter the Huntare both releasing this Octoberduring awards season.
Which The Bear Star Has A Better Chance Of Oscars Glory?
White Has The Clear Advantage
Jeremy Allen White has the clear advantage in the Oscar race, given his transformative turn asBruce Springsteen inDeliver Me from Nowhere.Musical biopics often resonate with Academy voters, as Rami Malek won an Oscar for playing Freddie Mercury inBohemian Rhapsody, especially when the actor performs their own vocals and immerses themselves physically in the role.
However,Edebiri shouldn’t be underestimated, especially sinceGuadagnino has a history of directing critically-acclaimed performances, such as Timothée Chalamet inCall Me By Your Name, which earned him his first Oscar nomination. Similarly, Guadagnino could bring a career-defining performance out of Edebiri inAfter the Hunt.
The Oscars Contention Highlights A Problem For The Bear
The Cast Will Be Busy
White and Edebiri’s Oscar contention highlights a problem forThe Bear.The cast will not only be busy with production on other projects, but their award season campaigns for said projects. Additionally, Moss-Bachrach is playing Ben Grimm/The Thing in theMCU’sFantastic Four: First Steps, and will return inAvengers: Doomsday(2026) andAvengers: Secret Wars(2027).
This is why, whileThe Bearseason 5has been renewed, it may not begin production for a while. It’s exciting to see the cast competing forOscars, but it could create scheduling conflicts that delay future seasons.
After the Huntreleases in theaters on October 17, followed bySpringsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhereon October 24.
