Jason Sudeikis and his fellow co-creators are officially bringing back Apple TV+’s hit series Ted Lasso for a fourth season, shifting the show’s narrative focus to an all-female football team after three seasons centered on a British men’s soccer club, according to an article published Wednesday by The Hollywood Reporter.
Why the AFC Richmond Cast Had to Change for Season Four
The decision to continue the comedy beyond its 2023 finale required a major creative pivot. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series was originally intended to end after three seasons as Sudeikis’s titular character returned to the United States. Instead, the creators decided to center the upcoming episodes on an all-female team.
This new direction meant the fictional AFC Richmond team from the first three seasons would not return in the same capacity. Sudeikis, 50, personally delivered the news to the actors who played those teammates through individual phone calls, describing the conversations to The Hollywood Reporter as “very difficult.”
“Because I didn’t want them to hear it on the internet,” the Saturday Night Live alum told the outlet. “And because I love those guys and we all went through something together.”
Did you know?
Jason Sudeikis plays the title character in Ted Lasso, an American college football coach who is unexpectedly hired to manage a British professional soccer team, AFC Richmond.
Which Cast Members Are Returning and Who Is Missing?
While the original teammates are stepping aside, several key cast members are confirmed to return. According to The Hollywood Reporter, lead actors Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple, and Brett Goldstein will reprise their roles for the fourth installment.
Status updates remain unclear for supporting actors Toheeb Jimoh, Cristo Fernández, Kola Bokinni, and Billy Harris, though Jimoh joked to the outlet that he expected his character to have a funeral in the new episodes. Meanwhile, Phil Dunster, who played Jamie Tartt, will not appear in season four due to scheduling conflicts with his role in Steve Carell’s comedy Rooster, a departure announced earlier this year. Dunster told podcaster Zach Sang that leaving the show felt like “the end of school when you graduate.”
Production changes also extend behind the scenes of the family dynamic. The series has recast the child actor who plays Henry, Ted’s son, with Grant Feely taking over the role for the new episodes.
What to Expect From the Plot of Season Four
Apple TV released an official logline for the upcoming season, set for release on August 5. According to the network, the plot follows Ted’s return to Richmond as he takes on a major new professional challenge.
“Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team,” the official logline states. “Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.”
As of publication, The Independent has reached out to Apple TV for further comment regarding the upcoming season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the release date for Ted Lasso season four?
Season four is scheduled for release on August 5, according to Apple TV.
Who is returning for the fourth season?
Lead cast members Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple, and Brett Goldstein are all returning for the new episodes.
Why is Phil Dunster not returning as Jamie Tartt?
Phil Dunster will be absent from season four due to scheduling conflicts with his role in Steve Carell’s comedy Rooster.
What is the plot of season four?
The new season follows Ted Lasso as he returns to Richmond to coach a second division women’s football team.
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