Ted Lasso has undoubtedly been Apple TV’s biggest hit, and while the excitement of the upcoming fourth season of the series is growing every day, the show’s decision to move through uncharted waters officially marks the end of an era. Apple TV’s Ted Lasso premiered in 2020, and while the remarkably positive series struck a chord with audiences quickly, it seemed from the start that the show wouldn’t be able to burn bright for a long stretch of time. The show’s creative team projected a three-season arc, and seemed like they’d stick to it throughout the subsequent years.
When Ted Lasso season 3 came to an end, it felt inevitable that the series was purposefully sunsetting. Having told a full and complete story, it wasn’t expected that the series would continue, though the wording surrounding its future was consistently vague. The announcement of Ted Lasso season 4 was a shock, and while viewers have been excited about the idea of seeing Ted (Jason Sudeikis) return to AFC Richmond for a whole new challenge, the upcoming season marks the end of an era for the buzz-worthy series regardless of what comes next.
After watching Ted and his team find their way, Ted Lasso season 4 has, in many ways, hit the reset button. Despite attempting to neatly wrap up loose ends in the end moments of the previous season, mixing new stories with old may find Ted Lasso with structural issues that audiences weren’t anticipating.
Ted Lasso Season 4 Will Focus On A Whole New Team
Although Ted Lasso season 4 was unexpected, it’s an exciting development for those who have grown to love the series. As the show moves into its fourth season, however, things are going to change in a more extreme way than they have on screen before. Throughout the show’s run, AFC Richmond has been a men’s football club, but Ted Lasso season 4 will introduce a women’s team into the narrative, bringing Ted back to coach Rebecca Welton’s (Hannah Waddingham) new group. While Ted is sure to face challenges, they’ll be vastly different than what viewers saw within the previous seasons.
With an undetermined amount of time having passed in the Ted Lasso universe, it’s not entirely clear where we as viewers will drop back into the story. Ted, who left the UK at the end of Ted Lasso season 3, may be looking for a fresh start, or he may be dropping back into AFC Richmond’s world as a favor to his old friend. Regardless of the why, seeing Ted coaching a brand-new team means the men’s team won’t be front and center, ushering in new dynamics, stories, and a new group to get to know.
Ted Lasso Season 4 Won’t Feature A Fan Favorite Cast Member
With the men’s team no longer a part of Ted Lasso’s bigger picture, AFC Richmond’s finest won’t be a core part of the cast. While many are hopeful that viewers will have a chance to see glimpses of players they’ve grown to love, like Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh) and Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernandez), there’s one AFC Richmond star who decidedly won’t be a part of Ted Lasso season 4. Phil Dunster, who plays the egotistical football star Jamie Tartt in the first three seasons of the series, will not be joining the team for the new season.
Jamie’s story throughout Ted Lasso’s first three seasons was one of growth, seeing him starting as a talented, undisciplined footballer who constantly got in his own way to a more self-reflective, emotionally regulated player. While Jamie’s story felt wrapped up after Ted Lasso season 3, it will be a loss not to see what he’s up to during Ted Lasso season 4. Dunster’s departure will also see the series lose one of its foundational stars for the first time, which could prove to throw the show off balance as it moves forward with some past storylines that featured the character.
Ted Lasso Season 4 May Struggle Combining New Storylines With Unfinished Ones
While there will be a lot of new introductions to be made within Ted Lasso season 4, the show’s returning characters still have a fair bit of unfinished business to attend to. With their character’s stories having been neatly wrapped up during Ted Lasso season 3’s finale, Sudeikis, Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift are all returning to the show without loose ends. Juno Temple, who plays Keeley Jones, and Brett Goldstein, who plays Roy Kent, however, have a more difficult path back to the series.
While their characters were in a better place by Ted Lasso season 3’s end, there was still much left unsaid between Roy and Keeley, and it appears that the upcoming season will be tackling their relationship. With the unresolved pieces of Roy and Keeley’s romance still hanging in the balance, seeing their story combined with new narratives surrounding the women’s AFC Richmond team could prove difficult, as they may not mesh as organically with the storyline.
Roy and Keeley’s relationship felt natural throughout the first seasons of the show, but bringing in various new elements may make it feel stale, outdated, or cyclical as Ted Lasso attempts to move into a new era.
Ted Lasso’s Underdog Optimism May Feel Out Of Place In Season 4
One of the biggest takeaways from Ted Lasso for viewers has been its endless sense of optimism. Even as the show has tackled tough issues and faced personal tragedy head-on, the series has boundless positivity and a feel-good energy that allows viewers to look more firmly on the bright side. While that is something Ted Lasso fans are sure to be looking forward to on screen, things have shifted in the world significantly since Ted Lasso season 3’s 2023 finale.
Though Ted Lasso may be the type of positivity we as a society need, the character’s underdog story may not play as well in 2026. After three years and what often feels like a thousand lifetimes lived, Ted’s ability to grab life by the bootstraps and find a silver lining may not translate in the way the show hopes. With the team behind Ted Lasso still actively working together outside the series, there’s a level of understanding about how to proceed, but it’s possible Ted’s sense of optimism may not mix well with the realities of today.
Regardless of Ted Lasso marking the end of several eras in season 4, the show’s next chapter may still be its best yet.
- Release Date
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August 14, 2020
- Showrunner
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Bill Lawrence
