Exciting news for 'Ted Lasso' enthusiasts: The much-anticipated fourth season of Apple TV+’s beloved soccer comedy is inching closer to reality. Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind the hit series, has renewed the options for the three original cast members who were under contract with the UK acting union Equity, sources confirm. This trio includes Hannah Waddingham, who portrays AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Walton; Brett Goldstein, known for his role as the tough Roy Kent; and Jeremy Swift, who plays Director of Football Operations Leslie Higgins.
With these key cast members secured, the studio is now expected to reach out to other 'Ted Lasso' stars with SAG-AFTRA contracts whose options have expired. This group likely includes co-creators and executive producers Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) and Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard), as well as Juno Temple (Keeley Jones). Notably, Phil Dunster (Jamie Tart), another original cast member, has not yet had his option renewed, possibly due to scheduling conflicts with other projects like Prime Video’s The Devil’s Hour and Apple’s Surface.
The cast’s return is a crucial step toward a greenlight for Season 4, though the final go-ahead will depend on budget approvals and scheduling, particularly as some actors with lapsed options may have committed to other series.
As casting talks proceed, preliminary plans are also underway to establish a writers’ room. If all goes according to plan, production for the fourth season could commence in early 2025. Representatives for Warner Bros. Television and Apple TV+ declined to comment on the developments.
This move towards a Season 4 greenlight indicates that Jason Sudeikis, a central driving force behind the show, is on board for the new season. The studio would not have advanced this far without his approval.
Sudeikis, who co-created Ted Lasso with Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, and Bill Lawrence, initially envisioned the series as a three-season arc. Despite the show’s immense success, he remained committed to this plan, though he left the possibility open for further episodes if the right concept emerged. It appears that, after more than a year since the Season 3 finale, the perfect idea may have been found, much to the delight of fans.
Since its debut in August 2020 at the peak of the pandemic, Ted Lasso has been a global phenomenon and Apple’s most-watched original series. Its charm and optimism resonated with viewers, earning it 13 Emmy Awards over its original three seasons, including back-to-back Outstanding Comedy Series awards and acting wins for Sudeikis, Goldstein, and Waddingham.
The Season 3 finale, which aired in May 2023, left fans with hopeful developments: Keeley and Rebecca considering a new venture with AFC Richmond Women’s Team, and Ted Lasso seen coaching his son on a soccer field in Kansas, bringing a satisfying conclusion to the main storylines.
