Apple TV+
Beloved TV show “Ted Lasso” is set to make a triumphant return to the U.S. for a fourth season—with first photos from the set of the latest installment revealing its stars are in the process of filming new episodes in Kansas City, the title character’s hometown.
Jason Sudeikis, the hit sitcom’s star and creator, left fans in an uproar in March when he revealed that “Ted Lasso” would be returning for another season—having left viewers on the edge of their seats after the finale episode of the show, which showed Ted quitting the U.K. to return home to the U.S.
Several details have since emerged about the path that Ted and his closest pals will take, with reports confirming that a number of the show’s beloved stars would be returning to join Sudeikis—including Juno Temple, Hannah Waddingham, and Jeremy Swift.
It was also revealed that the new season will center around Ted’s return to the U.S. and his management of a women’s soccer team, with Apple TV+ releasing one image from the Kansas City, MO, set, which showed those four stars seated together in a diner booth, with Temple, Waddingham, and Swift all gazing lovingly at Sudeikis as Ted.
However, one major character will not be reprising his role: Phil Dunster, a British actor who shot to fame while playing cocky soccer player Jamie Tartt in the first three seasons of “Ted Lasso.”
(Apple TV+)
As first reported by Deadline, Dunster is unable to reprise his role as a series regular, having already signed on to another project in the form of Steve Carell‘s untitled HBO comedy.
His role in the Carell-led project means that his schedule conflicts with filming for “Ted Lasso,” leaving him unable to return to the recurring role that fans have come to know and love.
It’s understood that Dunster might appear in a “limited capacity,” but viewers should not expect to see him in all of the episodes.
Luckily for fans, many of the other stars are returning to the cast lineup, in addition to those featured in the first on-set image.
Brett Goldstein, who plays Roy Kent, and Brendan Hunt, who plays Ted’s sidekick Coach Beard, both signed on for Season 4. They will be joined by newcomers Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern, and Grant Feely.
Feely will play the part of Ted’s son, Henry, who was previously portrayed by actor Gus Turner.
The cast has already begun production of Season 4 in Kansas City, which is starkly different from their former U.K. filming grounds. They will reportedly return to London to shoot some content for their new episodes.
(Apple TV+)
(Apple TV+)
“Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team,” Apple TV+ said in a statement.
“Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.”
In honor of his character’s return to his hometown, Sudeikis chose to share the news about the show’s fourth season while appearing on the podcast of one of Kansas City’s most famous residents: Travis Kelce.
The actor revealed to Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, during an appearance on their podcast, “New Heights,” that he was in the process of writing a fourth season of the show, much to fans’ delight.
While further details about the upcoming episodes are being kept under wraps, awards buzz is already being circulated about the series.
After its release, the show quickly soared in viewership and was eventually nominated for 61 Emmy Awards. It garnered a total of 13 wins.
It won awards in the best comedy series category, while Sudeikis and Goldstein snapped up individual wins.
Although filming has kicked off, a premiere date of the highly anticipated season has yet to be announced.