Netflix’s acclaimed dark dramedy Beef has never shied away from tackling the messiest corners of human emotion, but Season 2 ups the ante with a new cast, more chaotic confrontations, and—most heartbreakingly—a canine character who steals the spotlight and then breaks hearts. Released in April 2026, the second season introduces viewers to a fresh ensemble of heavy hitters, including Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Charles Melton, Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho, and Cailee Spaeny. Yet, as reported by The Wrap, it’s Burberry, the sweater-clad Dachshund, who becomes one of the show’s most memorable figures, adored by the spouses played by Mulligan and Isaac.
From the outset, Beef Season 2 signals that viewers should buckle up for another wild, emotionally charged ride. The first ten minutes alone deliver a scene that’s already being compared to the infamous argument in “Marriage Story”—but cranked up several notches. According to The Wrap, a fight between Mulligan’s Lindsay and Isaac’s Josh spirals into a destructive, acid-soaked brawl, setting the tone for a season that’s not afraid to go to some very dark places.
But while the human cast is formidable, it’s Burberry the Dachshund who often steals the limelight. Both Lindsay and Josh, despite their marital strife, dote on the little dog, whose presence offers rare moments of tenderness in an otherwise turbulent household. As The Wrap notes, “nearly all of the season’s human stars are overshadowed at points by Burberry.” For animal lovers, this prominence is a double-edged sword: the more screen time Burberry gets, the more viewers worry for his fate—especially given the show’s willingness to shock.
This anxiety comes to a head at the end of Episode 4. Cailee Spaeny’s Ashley, reeling from personal loss and a stinging text from Josh, impulsively sneaks into Josh and Lindsay’s house while they’re away. Her actions are reckless and fueled by grief: she scratches up one of Josh’s trophies, photographs evidence of his fraudulent club invoices, and spikes his orange juice with her own period blood—a move as bizarre as it is visceral. But it’s what happens next that proves fateful. Ashley flees when she hears Josh arriving, but in her haste, she fails to close the swinging screen door. Burberry, ever curious, slips out into the night.
Episode 5 is a frantic search. Lindsay and Josh, already on the rocks, are pushed to the brink as they desperately comb the neighborhood for their beloved dog. Their panic quickly morphs into another heated argument about who’s responsible for leaving the door open. As The Wrap recounts, Lindsay refuses to give up hope, searching the hills until, miraculously, she hears Burberry’s wounded yips. In a moment that’s both heroic and harrowing, she finds Burberry in the jaws of a coyote. Displaying what can only be described as supreme motherly love, Lindsay kills the coyote and rushes Burberry to the vet.
Tragically, the rescue comes too late. The veterinarian delivers the news: Burberry cannot be saved. The loss devastates both Lindsay and Josh, and it becomes the emotional fulcrum of the season. Their shared grief forces them to confront the reality of their fractured marriage. As The Wrap explains, “His death is what makes both Josh and Lindsay tearfully realize that their marriage is not working and they should get divorced.”
Yet, even in the aftermath of heartbreak, Beef finds room for dark comedy and the absurdities of life. At the animal shelter, the guilt-ridden pair are talked into adopting another Dachshund—a near twin of Burberry. In a move that’s both touching and slightly surreal, Josh names the new dog “Burberry” as well, much to Lindsay’s annoyance. This second Burberry becomes a symbol of the couple’s unresolved issues and their attempts to move on.
By Episode 6, as Josh and Lindsay negotiate their divorce, the fate of the new Burberry becomes a sticking point. Josh insists on keeping the dog, and, in the season finale, he leaves the Dachshund with his sister before flying off to South Korea. Lindsay, meanwhile, uncovers the truth behind Burberry’s disappearance: it was Ashley who left the door open. This revelation stirs fresh tension but also, in a strange way, brings Lindsay and Josh closer—if only temporarily—as they reassess their relationship and the chain of events that led them here.
For viewers, the death of Burberry isn’t just a gut punch; it’s a narrative turning point that encapsulates Beef’s ongoing exploration of the collateral damage wrought by selfishness, grief, and unchecked rage. As the season unfolds, the characters’ actions ripple outward, affecting not just themselves but those—human and animal—caught in their orbit. The show’s willingness to “go there,” as The Wrap puts it, is precisely what gives it its bite and emotional heft.
Of course, for many fans, the loss of Burberry is the season’s most devastating moment. As The Wrap notes, “Burberry the Dog does not make it out of ‘Beef’ Season 2 alive. But his death does serve a major dramatic purpose in the season and continues the Netflix series’ ongoing exploration of the collateral damage caused by our own acts of selfishness, grief and rage.” It’s a tough pill to swallow for animal lovers, but it’s also a testament to the show’s refusal to pull punches or offer easy resolutions.
There’s a certain symmetry, too, in how the show handles the aftermath. The adoption of a new Dachshund—another Burberry—serves as both a coping mechanism and a bittersweet reminder of what’s been lost. The cycle of attachment, loss, and renewal plays out in miniature, echoing the larger themes of the series. And while the new dog survives the chaos of Season 2, the scars left by Burberry’s death linger, shaping the characters’ choices and relationships in subtle, sometimes surprising ways.
For those just tuning in, both seasons of Beef are now streaming on Netflix. The show remains as unpredictable and compelling as ever, blending pitch-black humor with moments of raw vulnerability. Whether you’re drawn in by the powerhouse cast, the razor-sharp writing, or the emotional rollercoaster of Burberry’s journey, there’s little doubt that Beef Season 2 leaves a mark—and maybe, just maybe, a tear or two.
Sometimes, it’s the smallest characters who leave the biggest impact. For fans of Beef, Burberry the Dachshund will not soon be forgotten.