The internet’s favorite mustachioed football coach is heading back across the pond.
Apple TV+ just confirmed that Ted Lasso will return for a fourth season this summer, bringing Jason Sudeikis back to the role that won hearts worldwide.
But this time around, there’s a major twist that’s already sparking conversation among fans.
Ted won’t be coaching A.F.C. Richmond—he’s taking on a second-division women’s soccer team instead, marking a dramatic shift for the series that concluded its third season with Ted returning to Kansas.
A New Chapter, A Different Pitch
Season four finds Ted Lasso back in England, but the familiar AFC Richmond locker room won’t be his daily destination. Instead, he’s stepping into the world of women’s football, coaching a second-division team that promises to bring fresh energy and perspectives to the beloved series.
Apple TV+ released a first-look image showing Ted sharing meaningful glances with Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), and Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift). The chemistry between these characters remains palpable, suggesting that while Ted’s professional focus has shifted, the core relationships that made the show special haven’t disappeared.
Who’s In and Who’s Out
The confirmed returning cast includes some fan favorites alongside Sudeikis. Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift will all reprise their roles as executive producers and stars.
However, the announcement conspicuously leaves out several key players from previous seasons. Former Emmy nominees Nick Mohammed (Nate), Sarah Niles (Dr. Sharon), and Phil Dunster (Jamie Tartt) weren’t mentioned in the initial casting announcement, raising questions about their involvement in this new chapter.
Their absence could signal a significant departure from the Richmond-centric storylines that dominated the first three seasons.
Fresh Faces Join the Squad
The pivot to women’s football brings an exciting wave of new talent to the series. Seven young actresses have been added to the cast, presumably as members of Ted’s new team:
- Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education)
- Jude Mack (Such Brave Girls)
- Faye Marsay (Andor)
- Rex Hayes (newcomer)
- Aisling Sharkey (Jurassic World: Dominion)
- Abbie Hern (My Lady Jane)
- Grant Feely (Five Nights at Freddy’s)
This roster brings together performers from across the streaming landscape, mixing established talent with fresh voices. Reynolds, in particular, gained recognition for her quirky comedic timing in Netflix’s Sex Education, while Marsay demonstrated dramatic chops in the Star Wars series Andor.
What This Means for Ted’s Journey
Season three ended with Ted making the difficult decision to return to Kansas to be closer to his son. His reappearance in England suggests either a change of circumstances or a temporary arrangement that allows him to balance his personal and professional lives differently.
The shift to women’s football also positions the show to explore new territory. Women’s soccer has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with increased viewership, investment, and cultural relevance. Ted Lasso tackling this world could bring important conversations about equity, opportunity, and representation in sports to mainstream audiences.
Ted’s coaching philosophy—built on kindness, vulnerability, and belief—may resonate differently with a women’s team navigating the unique challenges of their sport. The series has always excelled at examining masculinity and emotional intelligence through the lens of football; adding female perspectives could deepen those explorations considerably.
The Return Apple TV Needed
Ted Lasso remains Apple TV+’s most successful series to date, earning critical acclaim and cultural phenomenon status during its initial run. The show collected numerous Emmy Awards and became synonymous with feel-good television during particularly challenging times.
For Apple TV+, which continues building its content library against streaming giants, bringing back its flagship series represents both a safe bet and a statement of confidence. The platform needs proven hits as it competes for subscribers’ attention and dollars.
Whether audiences will embrace this new direction remains to be seen. The show’s decision to return after what felt like a definitive ending carries inherent risks. Can lightning strike twice? Will the magic that made the first three seasons special translate to this different setting?
Believe Again
Apple TV’s tagline for the announcement—”Get ready to BELIEVE again”—invokes the show’s core message while acknowledging the leap of faith required from viewers. After all, Ted Lasso built its reputation on defying expectations and finding depth in unexpected places.
A fish-out-of-water American coach transforming a struggling men’s team became appointment television. Now that same coach taking on women’s football in a lower division could either feel like retreading familiar ground or discovering entirely new emotional territory.
The summer release window gives fans just enough time to rewatch previous seasons and prepare for whatever Ted Lasso’s latest adventure brings. If the show maintains the heart, humor, and humanity that defined its earlier run while authentically representing women’s football, it could score another major goal.
Ted Lasso Season 4 arrives on Apple TV+ this summer.