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''Ted Lasso'' ( ) is an American
sports Sport is a physical activity or game, often competitive and organized, that maintains or improves physical ability and skills. Sport may provide enjoyment to participants and entertainment to spectators. The number of participants in ...
comedy-drama Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and Drama (film and television), drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, il ...
television series developed by
Jason Sudeikis Daniel Jason Sudeikis ( ; born September 18, 1975) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. In the 1990s, he began his career in improv comedy and performed with ComedySportz, iO Chicago (Improv Olympic), and The Second City. I ...
, Bill Lawrence,
Brendan Hunt Brendan Hunt is an American actor and writer known for roles in the films ''We're the Millers'' (2013) and ''Horrible Bosses 2'' (2014) as well as voicing two characters in the video game ''Fallout 4'' (2015). He is a co-creator of the Apple TV ...
, and Joe Kelly. It is based on a character Sudeikis portrayed in a series of promotional media for
NBC Sports NBC Sports is an American programming division for NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, that is responsible for sports broadcasts on their broadcast network NBC, the Cable television, cable channels NBC owns, and on Peacock (streaming service) ...
's
coverage Coverage may refer to: Filmmaking * Coverage (lens), the size of the image a lens can produce * Camera coverage, the amount of footage shot and different camera setups used in filming a scene * Script coverage, a short summary of a script, writ ...
of England's
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
. The show follows Ted Lasso, an American
college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
coach who is hired to coach an English
soccer Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
team whose owner secretly hopes his inexperience will lead it to failure; instead, Lasso's folksy, optimistic leadership proves unexpectedly successful. The first season of 10 episodes premiered on
Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is an American subscription over-the-top streaming service owned by Apple. The service launched on November 1, 2019, and it offers a selection of original production film and television series called Apple Originals. The service w ...
on August 14, 2020, with the first three episodes were released at the same time. A second season of 12 episodes followed on July 23, 2021, with the third season released on March 15, 2023. It was announced in March 2025 that the series has been renewed for a fourth season. The series has received critical acclaim, with particular praise for its performances (notably Sudeikis,
Hannah Waddingham Hannah Waddingham (born 28 July 1974) is an English actress, singer, and television presenter. She is known for playing businesswoman Rebecca Welton in ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–present), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award and two Critics' Ch ...
,
Phil Dunster Philip James Dunster is an English actor. He is known for his roles in the Sky One drama '' Strike Back'' (2017–2018), the Channel 4 science fiction series ''Humans'' (2018), the ITV comedy-drama '' The Trouble with Maggie Cole'' (2020), the ...
,
Brett Goldstein Brett Goldstein (born July 17th, 1980) is an English actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcaster. Known for his role as Roy Kent in the Apple TV+ sports comedy series ''Ted Lasso'', he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Suppo ...
,
Nick Mohammed Nicholas George Mohammed is a British actor, comedian and writer. He has portrayed the character Mr. Swallow across both stage and television for over a decade. He is the creator of the Sky One comedy series ''Intelligence (British TV series), ...
, and
Juno Temple Juno Temple (born 21 July 1989) is an English actress. She is known for her roles in the comedy series ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–2023) and in the fifth season of the crime drama series '' Fargo'' (2023–2024). She earned Primetime Emmy Award nomi ...
), humor, writing, themes, and uplifting tone. Among other accolades, its first season was nominated for 20
Primetime Emmy Awards The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Owned and operated by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the P ...
, becoming the most nominated first-season comedy in Emmy history. Sudeikis, Waddingham, and Goldstein won for their performances, and the series won the 2021
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series Prime time, or peak time, is the block of broadcast programming taking place during the middle of the evening for television shows. It is mostly targeted towards adults (and sometimes families). It is used by the major television networks to ...
. Sudeikis also won the
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Golden means made of, or relating to gold. Golden may also refer to: Places United Kingdom *Golden, in the parish of Probus, Cornwall * Golden Cap, Dorset * Golden Square, Soho, London *Golden Valley, a valley on the River Frome in Gloucesters ...
and the
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series The Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series is an award given by the Screen Actors Guild to honor the finest acting achievements by a male actor on a comedy television series. The award is for both ...
. The series repeated all three of those awards the next year.


Premise

Ted Lasso, an American
college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
coach, is unexpectedly recruited to coach a fictional English
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
soccer team, AFC Richmond, despite having no experience coaching
soccer Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
. The team's owner, Rebecca Welton, gained ownership of the team in a divorce from her unfaithful ex-husband, Rupert. She has hired Lasso, secretly hoping he will cause the team's downfall and devastate Rupert, who cared more about AFC Richmond than anything else. Ted's charm, personality, and humor begin to win over Rebecca, the team, and those who had been skeptical about his appointment.


Cast and characters


Main

*
Jason Sudeikis Daniel Jason Sudeikis ( ; born September 18, 1975) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. In the 1990s, he began his career in improv comedy and performed with ComedySportz, iO Chicago (Improv Olympic), and The Second City. I ...
as Ted Lasso, an American college football coach from
Wichita, Kansas Wichita ( ) is the List of cities in Kansas, most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, Sedgwick County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 397, ...
, who is hired to coach AFC Richmond, an English soccer team. He is frequently ridiculed for his folksy optimism and inexperience with the sport, but gradually wins people over through his kind and compassionate approach to coaching. *
Hannah Waddingham Hannah Waddingham (born 28 July 1974) is an English actress, singer, and television presenter. She is known for playing businesswoman Rebecca Welton in ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–present), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award and two Critics' Ch ...
as Rebecca Welton, the new owner of AFC Richmond. She initially hires Lasso as a ploy to sabotage the team, but eventually comes to appreciate him and becomes a mentor and friend to Keeley Jones. *
Jeremy Swift Jeremy Paul Swift (born 27 June 1960) is an English actor. He studied drama at Guildford School of Acting from 1978 to 1981 and worked almost exclusively in theatre throughout the 1980s, working with companies such as Deborah Warner's Kick Thea ...
as Leslie Higgins, the timid but playful Director of Football Operations. He has a large family with five sons. *
Phil Dunster Philip James Dunster is an English actor. He is known for his roles in the Sky One drama '' Strike Back'' (2017–2018), the Channel 4 science fiction series ''Humans'' (2018), the ITV comedy-drama '' The Trouble with Maggie Cole'' (2020), the ...
as Jamie Tartt, a talented but egotistical young up-and-coming striker. *
Brett Goldstein Brett Goldstein (born July 17th, 1980) is an English actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcaster. Known for his role as Roy Kent in the Apple TV+ sports comedy series ''Ted Lasso'', he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Suppo ...
as Roy Kent, a veteran
box-to-box midfielder In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...
, captain and later assistant coach of AFC Richmond. Kent is primarily based on hot-headed Irish former footballer
Roy Keane Roy Maurice Keane (born 10 August 1971) is an Irish football pundit, former coach, and former professional player. He is best known for his career in the Premier League, in particular his captaincy of Manchester United. He is the joint most ...
. *
Brendan Hunt Brendan Hunt is an American actor and writer known for roles in the films ''We're the Millers'' (2013) and ''Horrible Bosses 2'' (2014) as well as voicing two characters in the video game ''Fallout 4'' (2015). He is a co-creator of the Apple TV ...
as Coach Beard, Lasso's grounded, laconic longtime assistant coach and friend, from
Peoria, Illinois Peoria ( ) is a city in Peoria County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. Located on the Illinois River, the city had a population of 113,150 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of municipalities in Ill ...
. His first name is revealed to be Willis in the season three finale. *
Nick Mohammed Nicholas George Mohammed is a British actor, comedian and writer. He has portrayed the character Mr. Swallow across both stage and television for over a decade. He is the creator of the Sky One comedy series ''Intelligence (British TV series), ...
as Nathan "Nate" Shelley, AFC Richmond's former
kit man An equipment manager is responsible for the procurement, maintenance, repair, inventory, transportation, storage, cleaning, and disposal of equipment used by a business or organization. They ensure that appropriate equipment is available and func ...
turned assistant coach who became publicly known as "The Wonder Kid". He becomes the head coach at
West Ham United West Ham United Football Club is a professional Association football, football club based in Stratford, London, Stratford, East London, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football league system, English f ...
until he quits mid-season and returns to Richmond as an assistant kitman/coach. *
Juno Temple Juno Temple (born 21 July 1989) is an English actress. She is known for her roles in the comedy series ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–2023) and in the fifth season of the crime drama series '' Fargo'' (2023–2024). She earned Primetime Emmy Award nomi ...
as Keeley Jones, a model who becomes the club's manager of marketing and public relations, before starting her own firm. *
Sarah Niles Sarah Niles is an English actress. She became widely known for her performance as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone in the Apple+ series ''Ted Lasso'', for which she received two Emmy Award nominations. She has also appeared in '' Beautiful People'' (2009) ...
as Dr. Sharon M. Fieldstone (season 2; recurring season 3), a no-nonsense sports psychologist. *
Anthony Head Anthony Stewart Head (born 20 February 1954) is an English actor and singer. Primarily a performer in musical theatre, he rose to fame in the UK in the 1980s following his role in the Gold Blend couple television advertisements for Nescafé, ...
as Rupert Mannion (season 3; recurring season 1; guest season 2), Rebecca's vindictive, philandering ex-husband, the former owner of AFC Richmond, and later the owner of West Ham United. *
Toheeb Jimoh Toheeb Gbolabo O. Jimoh is an English actor. He earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance as Sam Obisanya in the Apple TV+ series ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–2023). He is also known for his roles in the BBC One biographical film ''An ...
as Samuel "Sam" Obisanya (season 3; recurring seasons 1–2), a young Nigerian right back, later converted to a right winger. * Cristo Fernández as Dani Rojas (season 3; recurring seasons 1–2), an enthusiastic young forward from Mexico who joins midway through the first season, after recovering from an injury. * Kola Bokinni as Isaac McAdoo (season 3; recurring seasons 1–2), a center-back who is the vice-captain, later promoted to captain. * Billy Harris (actor), Billy Harris as Colin Hughes (season 3; recurring seasons 1–2), a young Welsh left winger who is initially closeted. * James Lance as Trent Crimm (season 3; recurring seasons 1–2), a skeptical reporter formerly working for ''The Independent'' before being fired in the second season after revealing who was the anonymous source that leaked Ted's panic attack; in the third season, he is writing a book about the club, ultimately titled ''The Richmond Way''.


Recurring


AFC Richmond personnel

* Stephen Manas as Richard Montlaur, a young, womanizing French midfielder. * Moe Jeudy-Lamour as Thierry Zoreaux / "Van Damme", a French Canadian goalkeeper and a close friend of Isaac's. In the third season, Zoreaux changes his name to "Van Damme" after Jean-Claude Van Damme. * Charlie Hiscock as Will Kitman (seasons 2–3; guest season 1), the new equipment manager after Nate's promotion. * David Elsendoorn as Jan Maas (seasons 2–3), a Dutch center back known for his blunt personality, who transferred to Richmond from AFC Ajax, Ajax. * Moe Hashim as Moe Bumbercatch, a Swiss midfielder who is close friends with Richard. * Ash Bayliss as Arlo Dixon, Richmond's English right back. He is named after Arlo White and Lee Dixon. * Flaurese as Gareth Canterbury (seasons 1–2), Richmond's reserve left back, who is from Slough. His name and hometown are a reference to The Office (British TV series), the British version of ''The Office'', namely its characters Gareth Keenan and Tim Canterbury. * Maximilian Osinski as Zava (season 3), a talented but eccentric striker. Zava is based on Swedish Forward (association football)#Striker, striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, one of the most decorated footballers of all time, while Osinski says that he is a "mix between Ibrahimović and French forward Eric Cantona."


Other characters

* Annette Badland as Mae Green, the local pub's Landlord#Licensed victualler, landlady * Gus Turner (actor), Gus Turner as Henry Lasso, Ted's son * Adam Colborne, Bronson Webb and Kevin Garry as Baz, Jeremy and Paul, a trio of die-hard AFC Richmond fans and regulars at Mae's pub. * Mary Roscoe as Julie Higgins, Leslie's wife. Mary Roscoe is married to actor,
Jeremy Swift Jeremy Paul Swift (born 27 June 1960) is an English actor. He studied drama at Guildford School of Acting from 1978 to 1981 and worked almost exclusively in theatre throughout the 1980s, working with companies such as Deborah Warner's Kick Thea ...
, who plays her husband on the show. * Keeley Hazell as Bex (season 1; guest seasons 2–3), Rupert's new girlfriend and eventual third wife. * Ellie Taylor as Flo "Sassy" Collins, Rebecca's best friend who becomes attracted to Ted. * Tom Cotcher as Mr. Mann, an elderly AFC Richmond supporter who frequently subjects Ted to well-meaning abuse. * Phoebe Walsh as Jane Payne (season 2; guest season 1, 3), Coach Beard's on-and-off girlfriend * Elodie Blomfield as Phoebe (seasons 2–3; guest season 1), Roy's niece. * Bill Fellows as George Cartrick (season 2; guest season 1, 3), the former Richmond coach whom Ted replaced; later a panelist on ''Soccer Saturday'', and Nate's replacement after he quits West Ham United. * Ruth Bradley as Ms. Bowen (season 2; guest season 3), Phoebe's teacher. * Andrea Anders as Michelle (Keller) Lasso (season 3; guest season 1–2), Ted's ex-wife. * Edyta Budnik as Jade (season 3; guest season 2), a hostess at Nate's favorite restaurant, eventually Nate's girlfriend * Katy Wix as Barbara (season 3), CFO of KJPR, whose practical, no-nonsense personality often clashes with Keeley's sunny personality. * Ambreen Razia as Shandy Fine (season 3), a modelling friend of Keeley who joins KJPR * Jodi Balfour as Jack Danvers (season 3), a venture capitalist who wants to invest in Keeley's PR firm. * Rosie Lou as Ms. Kakes (season 3), Rupert's assistant at West Ham * Spencer Jones (comedian), Spencer Jones as Deryck (season 3), the owner of Nate's favorite restaurant * Shannon Hayes as Shannon, the recurring "Soccer Girl" who occasionally bumps into Ted around Richmond * Precious Mustapha as Simi (season 3), chef at Sam's restaurant


Guests

* Kieran O'Brien as James Tartt, Jamie's abusive father * Jimmy Akingbola as Ollie (season 1), Ted's driver when he arrives in England, who also works at a local Indian restaurant * Kiki May as Nora (season 2), Sassy's teenage daughter and Rebecca's goddaughter * Harriet Walter as Deborah (seasons 2–3), Rebecca's mother * Sofia Barclay as Dr. O'Sullivan (seasons 2–3), an ER doctor and surgeon who treated Sharon after her bike accident, later confirmed to be Roy's sister and Phoebe's mother * Sam Richardson (actor), Sam Richardson as Edwin Akufo (seasons 2–3), a petty Ghanaian billionaire who buys Raja CA, Raja Casablanca and tries to convince Sam to sign with the team * Edwin De La Renta as Francis, Edwin Akufo's handshake obsessed assistant * Scott Van Pelt as himself, a ''SportsCenter'' anchor who breaks the news regarding Ted's hiring at AFC Richmond * Karen Johal as Nicole Shelley (season 3), Nate's sister * Sam Liu as Michael (season 3), Colin's boyfriend. * Matteo van der Grijn as Matthijs, a Dutchman who lives on a house boat in Amsterdam and spends the night with Rebecca. His name is never spoken on screen but seen in the credits * Nonso Anozie as Ola Obisanya, Sam's father * Becky Ann Baker as Dottie Lasso, Ted's mother (season 3) * Leanne Best as Georgie, Jamie's mother * Steve Edge as Simon, Jamie's stepfather


Notable cameos

Many sports and television entertainment personalities appeared on the show, often appearing as themselves in cameo roles throughout the series: * Lloyd Griffith as Lloyd, one of the regular reporters at the AFC Richmond press conferences * Arlo White and Chris Powell as themselves, providing commentary for AFC Richmond's matches * Jeff Stelling (seasons 1–3), Chris Kamara (seasons 1–2), Paul Merson and Clinton Morrison (season 3) as themselves, as presenter and pundits on Sky Sports ''Soccer Saturday'', the show in which Roy briefly appears * Thierry Henry and Gary Lineker as themselves, playing soccer pundits throughout the show * Seema Jaswal and Ian Wright (season 2) as themselves, as a soccer TV show presenter and pundit * Fleur East as herself (season 2), the host of ''Lust Conquers All'', the reality dating show that Jamie appears on * Mike Dean (referee), Mike Dean as himself (seasons 2–3), the referee who officiates several of AFC Richmond's games * Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, as themselves (season 2), presenters of ITV (TV network), ITV's ''This Morning (TV programme), This Morning'' who interview Jamie about his appearance on ''Lust Conquers All''. * Eni Aluko appears as Georgia (season 2), a member of the street soccer team in the second season. * Peter Crouch, Tom Fordyce, and Chris Stark (season 2–3), who are members of ''That Peter Crouch Podcast'' are heard in a radio show clips describing current events at Richmond. * Rebecca Lowe and Jermaine Jenas as themselves (season 3), presenter and pundit on the Premier League Round-up show. * Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles (season 3), who are heard (but not seen) as Canadian TV soccer commentators Lanny and Bruce in season 3's "International Break". * Pep Guardiola as himself (season 3), manager of Manchester City F.C., Manchester City. * Kasali Yinka Casal, Kasali Casal, Lee Hendrie, Jermaine Pennant, George Elokobi and Jay Bothroyd as opposition players.


Episodes


Season 1 (2020)


Season 2 (2021)


Season 3 (2023)


Production


Development

Jason Sudeikis Daniel Jason Sudeikis ( ; born September 18, 1975) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. In the 1990s, he began his career in improv comedy and performed with ComedySportz, iO Chicago (Improv Olympic), and The Second City. I ...
originally portrayed the title character in 2013 as part of a series of television commercials for
NBC Sports NBC Sports is an American programming division for NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, that is responsible for sports broadcasts on their broadcast network NBC, the Cable television, cable channels NBC owns, and on Peacock (streaming service) ...
promoting their coverage of the
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
, in which Lasso is depicted as the new head coach of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. In about 2015, Sudeikis's then-girlfriend Olivia Wilde suggested that he revisit the character, perhaps in a story in which Lasso found his career direction change. Whereas the original Lasso was more broadly comic and, as Sudeikis described him, "belligerent", he decided to make Lasso more sympathetic for the television series, explaining his reason for doing so in a May 2023 interview with ''The Guardian'': The series was commissioned in October 2019 by
Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is an American subscription over-the-top streaming service owned by Apple. The service launched on November 1, 2019, and it offers a selection of original production film and television series called Apple Originals. The service w ...
, with Sudeikis reprising the role. Television producer and ''Scrubs (TV series), Scrubs'' creator Bill Lawrence was brought in to work on a television series based around the character in 2017. The series is co-owned by Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence's production company Doozer (company), Doozer is based, and which controls linear distribution rights to the series, and NBC subsidiary Universal Television, which is a "passive partner". On August 19, 2020, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a 10-episode second season. It was later confirmed that the second season had been expanded to 12 episodes. On October 28, 2020, the series was renewed for a third season. On an episode of the ''Scrubs'' rewatch podcast ''Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach Braff, Zach + Donald Faison, Donald'', Lawrence indicated that ''Ted Lasso'' would likely be a "three-season show" due to Sudeikis's limited availability beyond the third season, and that the story had a planned resolution within those three seasons. In June 2022,
Brett Goldstein Brett Goldstein (born July 17th, 1980) is an English actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcaster. Known for his role as Roy Kent in the Apple TV+ sports comedy series ''Ted Lasso'', he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Suppo ...
also commented that the series would end after three seasons—"We are writing it like that." In March 2023, Sudeikis said that the third season "is the end of this story that we wanted to tell", and that there are possibilities for spin-offs. In an interview published in August 2023, Declan Lowney, who directed multiple episodes of the series, reiterated that the third season was "the end ''for now''" and that it would be "two or three years [from filming the season] before anything happens — if anything happens". In October 2021, Apple TV+ reached a licensing deal with the Premier League worth as much as £500,000 (around $682,000) for the series to feature the league's logos, Kit (association football), kits, and Premier League#Trophy, trophy starting from the third season. On March 6, 2022, a day before filming for season 3 began, Nike, Inc. posted on its official Twitter account a photo of Swoosh, its trademark Swoosh logo incorporated onto an AFC Richmond kit, implying that the show's production had reached a deal with the company to act as the fictional club's "official" kit manufacturer on future episodes. Some sources have noted the many similarities between the character of Ted Lasso and Terry Smith (American football, born 1959), Terry Smith, an American football head coach who became the first American to be the manager/head coach of a professional English soccer club. ''AppleMagazine.com'' (which is not affiliated with Apple Inc.) writes that the series "was actually inspired by the story of Terry Smith, an American gridiron football coach who took over the English association football team Chester City F.C., Chester City and subsequently installed himself as the first-team coach". On March 14, 2025, Sudeikis confirmed that a fourth season was in the early stages of production, and Apple subsequently released a press release confirming this news.


Writing

Actors in the series
Brett Goldstein Brett Goldstein (born July 17th, 1980) is an English actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcaster. Known for his role as Roy Kent in the Apple TV+ sports comedy series ''Ted Lasso'', he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Suppo ...
and
Brendan Hunt Brendan Hunt is an American actor and writer known for roles in the films ''We're the Millers'' (2013) and ''Horrible Bosses 2'' (2014) as well as voicing two characters in the video game ''Fallout 4'' (2015). He is a co-creator of the Apple TV ...
also joined the writing team along with Sudeikis as the second and third members of the main cast to do so. While Hunt and Sudeikis were part of both the cast and writing team from the start, Goldstein was initially a writer and story editor. It was only after a video audition of some Roy Kent scenes was sent to the showrunner, Bill Lawrence, that Goldstein was added to the cast. The episodes "Carol of the Bells" and "Beard After Hours" were the two episodes developed when the second season was expanded by two episodes, fitting in to the continuity of the second season without affecting storylines of the written episodes. In March 2025, Sudeikis said that scripts for a fourth season were being written and that "Ted’s coaching a women’s team."


Casting

Theo Park is the series's casting director. Nick Mohammed, who portrays Nate Shelley, originally auditioned for the role of Leslie Higgins, which in the end went to
Jeremy Swift Jeremy Paul Swift (born 27 June 1960) is an English actor. He studied drama at Guildford School of Acting from 1978 to 1981 and worked almost exclusively in theatre throughout the 1980s, working with companies such as Deborah Warner's Kick Thea ...
. Park pushed for
Phil Dunster Philip James Dunster is an English actor. He is known for his roles in the Sky One drama '' Strike Back'' (2017–2018), the Channel 4 science fiction series ''Humans'' (2018), the ITV comedy-drama '' The Trouble with Maggie Cole'' (2020), the ...
to play the role of Jamie Tartt, even though the character was originally supposed to be from Latin America and portrayed by Cristo Fernández. The character of Sam Obisanya was originally going to have been of Ghanaian heritage, but the character was changed after
Toheeb Jimoh Toheeb Gbolabo O. Jimoh is an English actor. He earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance as Sam Obisanya in the Apple TV+ series ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–2023). He is also known for his roles in the BBC One biographical film ''An ...
's casting. In March 2021,
Sarah Niles Sarah Niles is an English actress. She became widely known for her performance as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone in the Apple+ series ''Ted Lasso'', for which she received two Emmy Award nominations. She has also appeared in '' Beautiful People'' (2009) ...
was cast as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone, a sports psychologist for AFC Richmond in a main capacity for the second season. About Niles' casting, Park said that "It was really important with that role that [Niles] had a real sense of security and almost completely unflappable." Kiki May portrayed Nora, Sassy's teenaged daughter, in a recurring capacity during the second season. Casting for season three was set to begin near the end of 2021. Jodi Balfour was cast as Jack, a venture capitalist, in a recurring capacity for the third season in April 2022.


Filming

Production began on the second season in January 2021. In March 2021, Jason Sudeikis and
Hannah Waddingham Hannah Waddingham (born 28 July 1974) is an English actress, singer, and television presenter. She is known for playing businesswoman Rebecca Welton in ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–present), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award and two Critics' Ch ...
were spotted filming outside a pub in London. Filming wrapped for the second season on June 4, 2021. Filming for the third season was set to take place between January and June 2022. Most of the pub and street scenes have been shot in the actual London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, London Borough of Richmond. AFC Richmond's training field and complex in which Rebecca's office is based is filmed at the SkyEX Community Stadium which is the home ground of Hayes & Yeading United F.C. who are a semi-professional club playing in England's seventh level of competitive football, whereas Nelson Road, the home stadium of Richmond, is actually Selhurst Park, a real-life
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
stadium used by London club Crystal Palace F.C. Exterior shots of Craven Cottage, the home stadium of Fulham F.C. were used in season 1 to pass off as fellow Premier League ground Goodison Park when AFC Richmond played away at Everton F.C., Everton. Wembley Stadium was used in season 2 to portray the FA Cup semi-finals, FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City F.C., Manchester City. The show incorporates many real-life members of the British football and television entertainment community. This also includes using a number of genuine television shows which feature the actual presenters, sets and theme songs, including the Sky Sports programme ''Soccer Saturday''. The daytime ITV (TV network), ITV show ''This Morning (TV programme), This Morning'' also features in season 2. For the second season, assistant director Sophie Worger hired former professional player Kasali Yinka Casal, Kasali Casal to manage the football choreography. Casal enlisted a team of former professional players to play for the opposition teams facing AFC Richmond during game scenes, these included former
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
and England national football team, England internationals Lee Hendrie and Jay Bothroyd, as well as former Liverpool F.C., Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant and Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers defender George Elokobi. Filming for the third season began on March 7, 2022. The series filmed on location in Amsterdam for the third season. With the emergence of Nate becoming
West Ham United West Ham United Football Club is a professional Association football, football club based in Stratford, London, Stratford, East London, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football league system, English f ...
's head coach during season 3, the club's London Stadium was used for filming. Stamford Bridge (stadium), Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea F.C., Chelsea, was used for filming in the third season episode "4-5-1 (Ted Lasso), 4–5–1". The appearance sparked controversy amongst Chelsea supporters after the show's editing team modified a memorial banner for the late Chelsea player Ray Wilkins that was paid for by the club's supporters. The banner which reads "They don't make them like Ray anymore" was changed to read "Roy" to tie in with the storyline of Richmond coach Roy Kent returning to his old club. Owner Todd Boehly released a statement apologizing to fans and to Wilkins' family, claiming the deal with Apple was agreed before he had purchased the club. During the third season, further Premier League stadiums including Manchester United F.C., Manchester United's Old Trafford and Burnley F.C., Burnley's Turf Moor were briefly filmed for on-field action, while Dutch Eredivisie side AFC Ajax's Johan Cruyff Arena was used for on and off the field scenes at the beginning of the episode "Sunflowers (Ted Lasso), Sunflowers". Later episodes in Season 3 also filmed at Arsenal F.C., Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and Manchester City F.C., Manchester City's City of Manchester Stadium.


Merchandising

In March 2021, Bill Lawrence revealed that official ''Ted Lasso'' merchandise would be for sale ahead of the season two premiere. The merchandise, including football jerseys, became available in June 2021. In 2023, to coincide with the release of season 3, Nike, Inc., Nike released a full range of AFC Richmond merchandise including jerseys, hoodies, tracksuits, and practice shirts.


Release

The first season of 10 episodes premiered on
Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is an American subscription over-the-top streaming service owned by Apple. The service launched on November 1, 2019, and it offers a selection of original production film and television series called Apple Originals. The service w ...
on August 14, 2020. The first three episodes were released at once, followed by weekly installments of the remaining seven. A second season of 12 episodes premiered July 23, 2021. In October 2020, it was renewed for a third season of 12 episodes, which premiered March 15, 2023. In March 2025, it was announced that the series was renewed for a fourth season.


Reception


Critical response


Season 1

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 92% based on 74 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Warm and winsome, if not particularly hilarious, ''Ted Lasso'' fleshes out its promo premise with unrelenting optimism and a charming turn from Jason Sudeikis." Metacritic gave the first season a weighted average score of 71 out of 100 based on 21 reviews. Kristen Baldwin of ''Entertainment Weekly'' gave the series an A− and wrote, "There's nothing groundbreaking about the way ''Ted Lasso'' story beats play out, but the show—a mix of workplace antics, sentimental sports inspo, and soapy romance—is undeniably winning." Reviewing the series for ''Rolling Stone'', Alan Sepinwall described the series as "extremely likable throughout, but it's more a hypothetical comedy than an actual one. There are long stretches where Juno Temple is the only actor even trying to sell what few jokes are in the scripts." and gave a rating of three out of five. Writing for ''The Guardian'', Benjamin Lee gave it two out of five, describing it as "a show that isn't unwatchably bad but isn't really much of anything", and suggesting that some of its humor was "rooted in some questionable and uneasy stereotypes". As the season went on, critical appreciation increased. After the eighth episode, Caroline Framke of ''Variety (magazine), Variety'' published a review with the headline "For Your Reconsideration: Ted Lasso". She went on to say, "Above all odds, ''Ted Lasso'' chipped away at my skepticism until there was none left—just like the character himself does to everyone he meets", adding, "At a time when just about everything feels catastrophic, there's something undeniably satisfying about spending some time with good people who are just trying to be the best they can, on and off the field." Keri Lumm of ''Paste (magazine), Paste'' said, after the airing of the penultimate episode, "''Ted Lasso'' is the wholesome American hero we need", going on to say "... the landscape of television has felt kind of gloomy, so imagine my surprise when I turned on the TV to ''Ted Lasso'' and felt a swelling of a now unfamiliar emotion—hope". And after the finale aired, Lea Palmieri from ''Decider (website), Decider'' said: "Every step of the way, ''Ted Lasso'' proves to be comforting and entertaining and somehow both a distraction and a reminder that kindness is out there, not just on this fictional show, not just across the pond, but deep in the heart of America too."


Season 2

The second season was met with critical acclaim. Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 98% based on 124 reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "As comforting as a buttery biscuit from a friend, ''Ted Lasso''s sophomore season is a feel-good triumph that plays into the show's strengths while giving its supporting team more time on the pitch." Metacritic gave the second season a weighted average score of 85 out of 100 based on 35 reviews.


Season 3

On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 81% based on 201 reviews, with an average rating of 7.45/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "''Ted Lasso''s third and possibly final season takes time to find its footing, but patient viewers who believe will find that they appreciate Coach as much as ever." Metacritic gave the third season a weighted average score of 73 out of 100 based on 31 reviews. Reception for the third season became progressively more mixed as it went on, with reviewers criticizing the extended episode runtimes, pacing, and characterization. A joint review published in ''Vulture (website), Vulture'' described the third season as "bumbling", "tedious" and "discombobulated" compared to the first two, noting "a last-gap quality to these episodes and a hastiness to the storytelling that makes the show's internal world feel inexplicably small." The reviewers noted a decline across the season's various character arcs, which were said to "range from merely muddled to downright inexplicable", with particular criticism directed at Keeley and Nate's subplots. David Sims of ''The Atlantic'' felt the series had "devolv[ed] into ham-fisted, novelistic nonsense" in its pivot from its sitcom roots to a "prestige drama" in the third season. Sims lamented the hourlong episode runtimes, which he described as "a pure example of the excesses that can flourish on streaming television", and characterized the season overall as unfocused and lacking in conflict. Like Sims, Linda Holmes of NPR identified the season's separation of the cast as its primary weakness, suggesting that the series should "refocus on relationships" rather than give each character their own storyline. Jack King of ''GQ'' conversely felt the series had "markedly improved" in the third season, but found Sudeikis's "saccharine" lead character to be the "least interesting" part of the series.


Awards and nominations

The first season received 20 nominations at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most nominated freshman comedy in Emmy Award history. It won 7 awards, including Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Comedy Series and acting awards for
Jason Sudeikis Daniel Jason Sudeikis ( ; born September 18, 1975) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. In the 1990s, he began his career in improv comedy and performed with ComedySportz, iO Chicago (Improv Olympic), and The Second City. I ...
,
Brett Goldstein Brett Goldstein (born July 17th, 1980) is an English actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcaster. Known for his role as Roy Kent in the Apple TV+ sports comedy series ''Ted Lasso'', he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Suppo ...
and
Hannah Waddingham Hannah Waddingham (born 28 July 1974) is an English actress, singer, and television presenter. She is known for playing businesswoman Rebecca Welton in ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–present), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award and two Critics' Ch ...
; while
Brendan Hunt Brendan Hunt is an American actor and writer known for roles in the films ''We're the Millers'' (2013) and ''Horrible Bosses 2'' (2014) as well as voicing two characters in the video game ''Fallout 4'' (2015). He is a co-creator of the Apple TV ...
,
Nick Mohammed Nicholas George Mohammed is a British actor, comedian and writer. He has portrayed the character Mr. Swallow across both stage and television for over a decade. He is the creator of the Sky One comedy series ''Intelligence (British TV series), ...
,
Jeremy Swift Jeremy Paul Swift (born 27 June 1960) is an English actor. He studied drama at Guildford School of Acting from 1978 to 1981 and worked almost exclusively in theatre throughout the 1980s, working with companies such as Deborah Warner's Kick Thea ...
and
Juno Temple Juno Temple (born 21 July 1989) is an English actress. She is known for her roles in the comedy series ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–2023) and in the fifth season of the crime drama series '' Fargo'' (2023–2024). She earned Primetime Emmy Award nomi ...
received nominations. Sudeikis also won the
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Golden means made of, or relating to gold. Golden may also refer to: Places United Kingdom *Golden, in the parish of Probus, Cornwall * Golden Cap, Dorset * Golden Square, Soho, London *Golden Valley, a valley on the River Frome in Gloucesters ...
and the
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series The Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series is an award given by the Screen Actors Guild to honor the finest acting achievements by a male actor on a comedy television series. The award is for both ...
for 2020 and 2021. The series won in the categories for TCA Award for Outstanding New Program, Outstanding New Program, TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy, Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and TCA Award for Program of the Year, Program of the Year at the 37th TCA Awards and also won for best Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series, Comedy Series and Writers Guild of America Award for Television: New Series, New Series at the 73rd Writers Guild of America Awards. The second season received 20 nominations at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. It won four awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, acting awards for Sudeikis and Goldstein, and a directing award for MJ Delaney. Several actors received nominations, including
Toheeb Jimoh Toheeb Gbolabo O. Jimoh is an English actor. He earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance as Sam Obisanya in the Apple TV+ series ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–2023). He is also known for his roles in the BBC One biographical film ''An ...
, Mohammed, Temple, Waddingham,
Sarah Niles Sarah Niles is an English actress. She became widely known for her performance as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone in the Apple+ series ''Ted Lasso'', for which she received two Emmy Award nominations. She has also appeared in '' Beautiful People'' (2009) ...
, James Lance, Sam Richardson (actor), Sam Richardson and Harriet Walter. The third season received 21 nominations at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. It was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, Sudeikis for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series,
Phil Dunster Philip James Dunster is an English actor. He is known for his roles in the Sky One drama '' Strike Back'' (2017–2018), the Channel 4 science fiction series ''Humans'' (2018), the ITV comedy-drama '' The Trouble with Maggie Cole'' (2020), the ...
and Goldstein for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Temple and Waddingham for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Becky Ann Baker,
Sarah Niles Sarah Niles is an English actress. She became widely known for her performance as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone in the Apple+ series ''Ted Lasso'', for which she received two Emmy Award nominations. She has also appeared in '' Beautiful People'' (2009) ...
and Harriet Walter for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, and the finale episode was nominated for both outstanding writing and directing. At the 75th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Sam Richardson (actor), Sam Richardson won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. Following the debut of the third season, the cast of ''Ted Lasso'' were invited by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to the White House to promote mental health and well-being, a theme that was featured in storylines during the second and third seasons of the show.


Audience viewership

''Ted Lasso'' became the most watched television series on
Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is an American subscription over-the-top streaming service owned by Apple. The service launched on November 1, 2019, and it offers a selection of original production film and television series called Apple Originals. The service w ...
. The first-season premiere episode became Apple TV+'s most watched premiere and it ranked 89th overall among other television series or shows measured across streaming platforms from November 1, 2019, to July 18, 2021. According to TV analytics provider TVision, ''Ted Lasso'' has been viewed by panel members 8.4 times as much as the average Apple TV+ original series or shows TVision has measured since Apple TV+ launched in November 2019. Over the second-season premiere weekend, Apple TV+ expanded its number of new viewers by 50% week over week. Apple also announced the second season of ''Ted Lasso'' "increased its viewership by six times over season one". In 2021, the final episode of the second season ranked ninth place among all Subscription video on demand, SVOD programs and fifth place in the SVOD originals category with 507 million minutes (MM) viewed.


Other media

In December 2021, Apple TV+ released ''Ted Lasso: The Missing Christmas Mustache'', a four-minute claymation special. In September 2022, it was announced that AFC Richmond and Nelson Road would appear in the video game ''FIFA 23''. The team would be available in multiple online and offline modes, with players also able to select Ted Lasso to manage any team in the game, as well as have someone else manage the team. ''Ted Lasso: The Richmond Way'', a box-set containing seasons 1–3, was released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 30, 2024.


See also

* ''L'allenatore nel pallone'', 1984 Italian comedy film about Oronzo Canà, a down-on-his-luck manager with a far from stellar résumé, who is surprisingly hired as the coach of a small football team in northern Italy that was recently promoted to Serie A. * ''The First Team (TV series), The First Team'', British sitcom featuring an American player who joins a
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
club. * ''Home Team (2022 film), Home Team'', 2022 film about a suspended NFL coach coaching his son's high-school American football team. * ''Hot Stove League (TV series), Hot Stove League'', Korean drama series about a general manager with no experience in baseball hired to lead a struggling baseball team. * ''Major League (film), Major League'', 1989 film featuring misfit baseball players and a meddling new team owner. * ''Mike Bassett: England Manager'', 2001 British mockumentary comedy film about a coach who is hired from the English Football League, lower leagues to manage the England national football team, England team at the FIFA World Cup, World Cup. * ''Mike Bassett: Manager'', 2005 British comedy series, a follow-up to the film which sees an unsuccessful coach on a bad run of form taking over as the new manager of his deceased father's former team. * ''Dream Team (TV series), Dream Team'', British TV series featuring the on and off the field affairs of fictional Premier League club Harchester United. * ''Welcome to Wrexham'', 2022 American documentary series chronicling the purchase and stewardship of Wrexham AFC, one of professional football's oldest clubs, by two Hollywood actors, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. * ''Club de Cuervos'', a Mexican comedy drama series about two siblings that fight over the ownership and direction of their family's treasured football squad, Cuervos F.C. * ''Tackle!,'' a British novel about soccer that has been compared to both ''Ted Lasso'' and ''Welcome to Wrexham''.


References


External links

* * {{Apple TV+ 2020 American television series debuts 2020s American comedy-drama television series 2020s American single-camera sitcoms 2020s American sports television series Apple TV+ original programming American English-language television shows American sports comedy television series American sports drama television series Fictional association football television series GLAAD Media Award–winning shows Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners Peabody Award–winning television programs Premier League on television Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series winners Primetime Emmy Award–winning television series Television series by Universal Television Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios Television series created by Bill Lawrence (TV producer) Television shows set in England Television shows shot in London Works based on advertisements