Ted Lasso' Returns: Women’s Sports Inspire Season 4 Storyline
WHO:
Variety - Hannah Waddingham expressed confidence that "Ted Lasso" would return, stating, “I could have told him we were coming back.”
Variety - Co-showrunner Brendan Hunt explained that Phil Dunster, who played Jamie Tartt, could not return due to scheduling conflicts with his role in the show "Rooster," which is created by Bill Lawrence, the same creator as "Ted Lasso."
Variety - Jason Sudeikis is the creator and star of "Ted Lasso," while Hannah Waddingham plays AFC Richmond team owner Rebecca Welton.
Variety - Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), Willis Beard (Brendan Hunt), Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), Phil Dunster, Toheeb Jimoh, Kola Bokinni, Cristo Fernández, Nick Mohammed, Trent Crimm (James Lance).
WHAT:
CBS News Entertainment - The fourth season of "Ted Lasso" features a new storyline centered around Richmond’s Women’s Football Club, with Jason Sudeikis returning to coach the team.
The Independent - The series four premiere includes a tribute to the old cast with memorabilia, including a picture of the entire men’s team and a newspaper clipping about Jamie Tartt's departure.
Variety - Co-showrunner Brendan Hunt mentioned that it would have "strained credulity" if the old Richmond FC Men’s team were still present, given the success of the women’s team.
Variety - Hunt noted that it took Jason Sudeikis a while to decide on bringing back "Ted Lasso," stating, “There would be one sort of baby-step text message of intrigue, like every three months.”
The Independent - The fourth season of "Ted Lasso" will feature a significant role for the Kansas City Current, an NWSL team co-owned by Brittany Mahomes, Patrick Mahomes, Angie Long, and Chris Long.
The Independent - The fourth season of "Ted Lasso" will focus on Richmond’s Women’s Football Club, with Jason Sudeikis returning to lead the team.
The Independent - Phil Dunster, who played Jamie Tartt, could not return due to scheduling conflicts with his role in the show "Rooster."
Sportskeeda - Brittany Mahomes will make a surprise cameo in Season 4 of "Ted Lasso" as part of the Kansas City Current, an NWSL team co-owned by her and others.
Variety - "Ted Lasso" is returning for its fourth season.
The Independent - The fourth season focuses on Richmond’s Women’s Football Club.
The Independent - Phil Dunster and other original stars did not return for the new series.
The Independent - The series four premiere includes a tribute to the old cast with memorabilia and a newspaper clipping about Jamie Tartt's departure.
WHERE:
The Independent - The show is set in the UK, specifically focusing on AFC Richmond.
WHEN:
The Independent - The fourth season of "Ted Lasso" is set to premiere on "Apple TV+."
WHY:
The Independent - Co-showrunner Brendan Hunt explained that it would not have made narrative sense for the Richmond FC Men’s team to still be present if the women’s team is performing well, as the best players would likely be bought by bigger clubs.
The Independent - Brendan Hunt stated that it would not have made narrative sense for the Richmond FC Men’s team to still be present if the women’s team is performing well, as the best players would likely be bought by bigger clubs.
The Independent - Co-showrunner Brendan Hunt stated that it would not make narrative sense for the Richmond FC Men’s team to still be present if the women’s team is performing well.
The Independent - Jason Sudeikis took time to consider whether to bring back "Ted Lasso" after season three, which he previously stated was its final season.
The Independent - Brendan Hunt explained that it would not make narrative sense for the Richmond FC Men’s team to still be present if the women’s team is doing well.
HOW:
The Independent - Jason Sudeikis had “very difficult” individual phone calls with former cast members to inform them they would not be returning, emphasizing he didn’t want them to hear it on the internet.
Variety - Sudeikis had “very difficult” individual phone calls with former cast members to inform them they would not be returning, emphasizing he didn’t want them to hear it on the internet.
The Independent - Jason Sudeikis communicated with former cast members individually to inform them they would not be returning, stating he had "very difficult" phone calls with them to ensure they did not hear it from the internet.
The Independent - Sudeikis communicated with former cast members individually to inform them they would not be returning, stating he had "very difficult" phone calls with them to ensure they did not hear it from the internet.
The Independent - Sudeikis communicated with former cast members individually to inform them they would not be returning, stating he had "very difficult" phone calls with them.
(UPDATED August 8, 2026 11:23 UTC)
The fourth season of "Ted Lasso" introduces a new storyline focused on Richmond’s Women’s Football Club, with Jason Sudeikis returning as coach. The premiere pays tribute to the previous cast, featuring memorabilia like a picture of the entire men’s team and a newspaper clipping about Jamie Tartt's departure. Co-showrunner Brendan Hunt noted that it wouldn't make sense for the men's team to remain if the women's team is thriving, as top players would likely be recruited by larger clubs, leading Sudeikis to have difficult conversations with former cast members to inform them of their exit personally.
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(UPDATED August 8, 2026 04:07 UTC)
Hannah Waddingham has expressed confidence that "Ted Lasso" will make a return, saying, “I could have told him we were coming back.” Co-showrunner Brendan Hunt added that it would have been hard to believe if the old Richmond FC Men’s team were still around, especially with the success of the women’s team. He also revealed that Jason Sudeikis took his time deciding on the show's return, making “very difficult” phone calls to former cast members to ensure they heard the news directly from him rather than online.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 22:29 UTC)
In a recent update about "Ted Lasso," co-showrunner Brendan Hunt revealed that Phil Dunster, who played Jamie Tartt, won't be returning due to scheduling conflicts with his role in the upcoming show "Rooster," created by Bill Lawrence. The fourth season will also spotlight the Kansas City Current, an NWSL team co-owned by Brittany Mahomes and others, while Hunt explained that it wouldn't make sense for the Richmond FC Men's team to remain if the women's team is thriving, as top players would likely be poached by larger clubs. Additionally, Jason Sudeikis took the time to personally inform former cast members about their departures, describing the phone calls as "very difficult" to ensure they received the news directly rather than through social media.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 20:38 UTC)
The fourth season of "Ted Lasso" will spotlight Richmond’s Women’s Football Club, with Jason Sudeikis returning to lead the team. However, Phil Dunster, who played Jamie Tartt, will not be back due to scheduling conflicts with his role in "Rooster." Sudeikis personally reached out to former cast members to inform them of their status, describing those conversations as "very difficult" to ensure they didn't learn the news online.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 19:50 UTC)
Brittany Mahomes is set to make a surprise cameo in Season 4 of "Ted Lasso," joining the cast as part of the Kansas City Current, a team in the National Women's Soccer League that she co-owns. This unexpected appearance is sure to excite fans of both the show and the sport. With her involvement, viewers can look forward to a unique blend of entertainment and athletics.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 18:41 UTC)
"Ted Lasso" is making a comeback for its fourth season, which will focus on Richmond’s Women’s Football Club and is set to premiere on Apple TV+. While original stars like Phil Dunster will not be returning, the premiere will pay tribute to the old cast with memorabilia and a newspaper clipping about Jamie Tartt's departure. Jason Sudeikis had some tough conversations with former cast members to let them know they wouldn't be part of the new series, as he felt it wouldn't make sense for the men's team to still be around if the women's team is thriving.