‘Ted Lasso’ Moves Toward Season 4; What Will It Be About?
Three key stars from the series have had their options picked up, and many other cast members have said they’d welcome a return of the show.
The feelgood TV series of the decade could be back for another ride soon. “Ted Lasso” instantly became a fan-favorite when it debuted on Apple TV+ in 2020, and its popularity never waned in the years following its premiere. Fans were distressed to the point of despair when it appeared that co-creator and lead actor Jason Sudeikis wanted to stick with his original conception of the show as a three-season arc, but they got their surest sign that the series will indeed return some form for a fourth season this weekend.
Key Details:
- British-based series regulars Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, and Jeremy Swift have all had their options picked up for a fourth season of “Ted Lasso.”
- Executives at Apple and Warner Bros. Television have made it clear they would not move forward on a fourth season of the show without Sudeikis’ consent.
- There are myriad directions a new show could go, including a focus on an AFC Richmond women’s team and more.
Deadline was first to report that three key figures in the “Ted Lasso” universe have had their options picked up by Warner Bros. Television, the studio that produces the show. They are Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, and Jeremy Swift, who play AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Walton, gruff-but-loveable Roy Kent, and Richmond’s director of football operations Leslie Higgins, respectively.
The report indicates that these three actors were approached first because their British union contracts have them still attached to the show, while the studio is expected to reach out to cast members who have seen their contracts expire, including Sudeikis, Juno Temple (Keeley Jones), and Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard). Phil Dunster, who brought the talented but troubled star Jamie Tart to screen is not expected to return as a series regular, due to an overabundance of other commitments. However, the opportunity for guest appearances is still possible.
Sudeikis always envisioned “Ted Lasso” as a three-season series, though when the show concluded its third season in 2023, he made it known that he was open to ideas for the series or its characters to continue in some form. Hunt gave fans hope in June 2023 by saying that “everything’s on the table” for future “Ted Lasso” content, but the picking up of Waddingham, Goldstein, and Swifts’ contracts is the surest sign yet that a return is in the works.
What Could New ‘Ted Lasso’ Season Be About?
If a new season of “Ted Lasso” does come to pass, it feels all but certain that Ted himself won’t be the main character. The story arc that played out for Ted over the show’s three seasons seemed to conclude perfectly as he moved home to coach his son’s soccer team. In my opinion, it would feel pretty contrived to see him placed at the helm of AFC Richmond once again to rehash the same story beats from previous seasons. However, if they were able to integrate what Ted learned as a coach and a person during his time in Richmond into how he reengages with his family, and whatever type of football team he ends up coming in the States, that could prove to be a fertile option for storylines.
But that doesn’t preclude Sudeikis from making a cameo appearance here or there. If the show were to focus on the transition to a public-facing coaching job for Roy Kent, it would make plenty of sense for Ted to show up and give him a few pointers. Such a concept would also allow for more time to expand on the football genius of Nate Shelley, who returned to Richmond humbled after a disastrous stint as head coach for West Ham United.
The third season of “Ted Lasso” took viewers along as Richmond player Sam Obisanya tried to connect more deeply with his Nigerian roots. Season 4 could advance that storyline even further, perhaps allowing Sam to realize his dream of playing on the Nigerian national team.
At the end of Season 3, Keeley’s PR firm begins to take off like never before, in part thanks to an investment by Rebecca. A fourth season with an enhanced focus on this pair would make plenty of sense, especially given that Rebecca sold a good portion of her ownership stake in Richmond at the end of last season. The Season 3 finale also teased the launch of a women’s AFC Richmond team, which would open up opportunities for plenty of new stars and storylines.
There are essentially unlimited ways a fourth season of “Ted Lasso” could go, and much of the story will likely hinge on which actors are able to return. But fans can allow their excitement for the fourth season to build past the “cautious optimism” stage; it looks like the series is moving toward a much-anticipated Season 4 after all.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a subscription video streaming service for $9.99 a month that includes high-quality original shows and movies including Best Picture winner “CODA,” popular sitcom “Ted Lasso,” and dramas like “The Morning Show” and “Severance.” Apple TV+ is also home to MLB baseball games on Friday nights and MLS Season Pass.