Ted Lasso was a popular show when it premiered on Apple TV in 2020. The first season received 20 Emmy nominations and won seven, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and acting awards for Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, and Hannah Waddingham. It continued to win nominations for the second and third season, but somehow, Sudeikis may have thought the series had run its course. What else was there to say?
As it turns out, a lot.
The World Cup may be over, but the growing enthusiasm for soccer continues. While most Americans continue to worship American football as the real football, more are thinking of soccer when they hear the word.
Women’s soccer, while still not enjoying the larger fan base either in the U.S. or abroad, is indeed catching up. Ted Lasso’s focus on women’s soccer makes this fourth season one reason to watch. Another? Boy, do we need a feel good show to enjoy right now.
Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca
After handing off AFC Richmond men’s team to Roy Kent (Goldstein), who was once a soccer star, Ted goes back to Kansas City to be with his son, Henry (Gus Turner), and ex-wife, Michelle (Andrea Anderson). But being back home is not going well. Henry is graduating from elementary school, Michelle is having a stressful time at work, and Ted’s mom, Dottie (Becky Ann Baker), is selling the family home. Ted is surprised to see his co-workers in London, Rebecca (Waddingham), Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), and Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift) arrive in Kansas City. They want him to return and manage Richmond’s women’s team. What Ted does’t know is that the team is having financial problems.
The Brits are enthralled with their visit to Kansas City. Rebecca becomes a fan of Kansas City barbecue, ruining several outfits while consuming the hot, dripping meat. Higgins can’t visit the American Jazz Museum because of a private event and instead goes to the Negro League Baseball Museum and learns about the star, Satchel Paige. Keeley watches the women’s soccer team, the Kansas City Current, and is inspired to see the Richmond team succeed. All they need is Ted.
Annette Badland as Mae Green, Gus Turner as Henry Lasso, and Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso
After his guests leave, Ted reflects on his time in London and admits he misses the team and the people. When Henry and Michelle come on board the decision is made. Ted will return and manage the team and Henry will enroll in a British school. Roy generously allows Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) to leave the men’s team to work with Ted.
Right out of the gate, Ted has his hands full. Besides being in the red, there’s little support among the locals for a women’s soccer team. The biggest fan is Mae Green (Annette Badland) who runs the local pub. At a press conference to announce Ted’s return, the focus instead is on the men’s team. The women’s team’s assistant coach, Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds), who has an abrasive personality and doesn’t try to create rapport with the players, is upset that Ted will be the coach. Although then two are like chalk and cheese, Ted wins her over and she agrees to stay.
Tanya Reynolds as Alice Chilton, Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, and Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard
Next challenge: finding a striker to replace the current duo, one to an injury, the other to pregnancy. Ted decides to hold an open tryout which produces two good players, but not a striker. Alice mentions a former teammate, Gemma Jay (Abbie Hern), who might be available. Gemma, however, vowed never to work with Alice again because of her hard-nosed attitude. Ted, however, says that Gemma’s name was the only one Alice produced when asked for a replacement. She agrees to come aboard, but will continue her law school studies.
The women’s team receives a lift when they see the refurbished visitor’s locker room that is now their home, thanks to Keeley. Even thought Keeley and Roy are no longer a couple, there’s obviously still a strong attraction between the two. And Rebecca enjoys what time she can find with her boyfriend.
The Lady Greyhounds win their first game with Gemma scoring the only goal. Whether the team has what it will take to go the distance will play out in following episodes. And we’re happy to tag along.
Photo Credit: AppleTV
Top: Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift), Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), and Jason Sudeikis
