The idea of a Season 4 of Ted Lasso was in the air well before the Season 3 finale dropped in 2023. Star/executive producer Brendan Hunt confirmed that the story could continue after the show’s original three-season arc was completed, and Apple TV managed to drag back some of the original cast for the next chapter. The new season focuses on Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) returning to England to coach for AFC Richmond, this time coaching the relatively new women’s team. The Lady Greyhounds are weighed down by many of the issues facing women’s sports today, from a lack of resources compared to the men’s team to the general public assumption that women’s sports aren’t important.
Season 4 Overview
The world today may feel very different than it did in 2023, but Ted Lasso remains in many ways tonally identical to what came before, aided and abetted by the returning characters. Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) still happily manages the Richmond organization with the help of loyal Higgins (Jeremy Swift), and remains best friends with Keeley (Juno Temple), who has adopted the women’s team as her primary focus. The men’s team itself largely remains off-screen in the first five episodes, so no familiar faces pop up there, but Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) is around as their coach, as is Ted’s BFF Coach Beard (Hunt).
New Characters and Storylines
The season also features some new characters, including Tanya Reynolds as less-than-perky assistant coach Alice, and Faye Marsay as one of Richmond’s new star players. Reynolds is one of those performers who’s proven to be a true chameleon while also delivering distinctive characters in projects like Sex Education and Emma. Her commitment to Alice’s surly demeanor is absolute, though it’s unclear how the show intends to evolve her at this stage in the season. Marsay’s character is largely defined by being a mum, and most of the team is defined by quick shorthand and/or their relationship to others.
Episode Structure and Pacing
The show’s episodes are also nearly as long as they were in Season 3, stretching out comfortably into the 45-47 minute range. By comparison, Law and Order: SVU episodes clock in at 41-42 minutes these days, which means it takes Ted longer to solve a squad issue than it does for Olivia Benson to solve a sex crime. The season opens not in England but in Kansas City, with a full episode spent catching up with Ted as his former Richmond colleagues convince him to return to London.
Conclusion
Ted Lasso Season 4 premieres August 5th on Apple TV. New episodes debut weekly. While the show remains tonally identical to what came before, it feels overly familiar as opposed to fresh — more of the same, without enough evolution on the past. Coach Lasso would be the first to encourage one of his players to try something new, challenge themselves. Hopefully the back half of the season takes that same advice.
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Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
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