AFC Richmond may not have played its final game just yet, as a potential fourth season of “Ted Lasso” seems to be in the works at Apple TV+. Reports indicate that Warner Bros. Television has renewed options for main cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, and Jeremy Swift, suggesting the studio’s desire to retain these actors for an upcoming season. They portrayed Rebecca Welton, Roy Kent, and Leslie Higgins, respectively, alongside Jason Sudeikis, who plays an American coach hired to lead an English soccer team.
Deadline was the first outlet to share this news.
Although Apple has not officially confirmed Season 4 of “Ted Lasso,” sources indicate that Warner Bros. will soon approach the remaining cast to negotiate new contracts. Sudeikis is reportedly already involved as an executive producer, while production for the new season might commence in early 2025.
The development comes as a surprise, especially since the final episode of Season 3 was widely thought to mark the end of the series. The concluding episode aired in May 2023 and depicted Sudeikis’ character leaving AFC Richmond for the United States, seemingly wrapping up his narrative arc.
Previously, members of the “Ted Lasso” creative team stated that they envisioned the series having a three-season storyline. Producer and actor Brendan Hunt mentioned the intention to stick to that vision, despite the show’s popularity potentially swaying that decision.
Apple TV+ notably did not announce Season 3 as the concluding chapter, and Sudeikis, as well as his fellow producers, remained ambiguous concerning the show’s future leading up to the finale. When questioned at the 2022 Emmys whether Season 3 would be the last, Sudeikis said the decision rests on multiple factors beyond his control.
Recently, co-creator Bill Lawrence expressed that the show’s fate relies on Sudeikis’s choices, stating that while fans would embrace more seasons eagerly, they would fully support whatever direction he decides to take.
“Ted Lasso” premiered in 2020, shortly after the launch of Apple TV+, swiftly becoming a critically acclaimed series. The show secured two consecutive Emmys for Best Comedy Series in its first two seasons, with Sudeikis, Goldstein, and Waddingham also receiving individual accolades for their performances.
However, the third season received a more subdued critical response compared to its predecessors, with USA TODAY TV critic Kelly Lawler noting issues such as “long, tedious episodes and poor characterization.” The third season also lost the Best Comedy Series Emmy to “The Bear.”