Apple Announced Ted Lasso Season 4

Friday was an emotional day, not just because I was the embodiment of the 10th song from the White Album. The last several months (/years) have been hard on many of us, yet after deciding on a whim to watch a small show on Apple TV+ last year called Ted Lasso, I think I might have just found that one grain of hope left. Announced on Friday to the relief of many people, Apple TV+ (specifically Jason Sudeikis) announced that there will be a fourth season of the critically acclaimed and heavily adored show, with a little bit of a twist.

Speaking on the New Heights podcast alongside NFL star hosts (to copy from the official website) Jason “Fat Batman” & Travis “Big Yeti” Kelce, Sudeikis revealed that he and the production team are writing a fourth season. After being asked plainly about the future of the show less than 20 minutes into the episode released on Friday, Sudeikis said, “Yeah, I think you can ask it. That’s what we’re writing, we’re writing season four now.” Cue my sobbing for the next 20 minutes, and that’s before he went on to mention that Ted is coaching a women’s team.

Of course, the podcast went into a discussion where questions were raised that can’t be answered while the show is in pre-production. Nothing is really said; in fact, more is said about Films To Be Buried With host and just maybe a small part of the show as writer and actor behind Roy Kent, Brett Goldstein, is spoken about too. The big news is that season four is coming; it is in production, and Apple itself put out a post on various social channels. On Twitter, it was “Season 4” with a rendering of a Nelson Road Stadium seat with the number 4.

In a press release put out by Apple TV+, yes, I’m better because I’ll link to it, unlike the (shut up, I’m old) Radio Times and by Deadline. Nonetheless, Sudeikis gave a rather specific statement: “As we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to ‘look before we leap,’ in season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to LEAP BEFORE THEY LOOK, discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be.” Interesting, especially if you know the season three finale.

Sticking with quotes and statements, the head of programming at Apple TV+, Matt Cherniss, said: “Ted Lasso has been nothing short of a juggernaut, inspiring a passionate fanbase all over the world, and delivering endless joy and laughter, all while spreading kindness, compassion[,] and unwavering belief. Everyone at Apple is thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Jason and the brilliant creative minds behind this show.” To borrow a phrase from Rebecca, that and the rest of the press release is caked in PR ick.

Deadline reported on rather specific details of season four and its production, stating the season is set to start filming in July in Kansas before moving back to London alongside AFC Richmond, one would assume. Further going into a few details about returning cast members, Deadline suggests Bret Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, and Jeremy Swift had already signed up for a fourth season, with reports of Phil Dunster’s possible reprisal and Nick Mohammed’s return. The production studio had yet to sign SAG-AFTRA contracts with Sudeikis, Juno Temple, and Brendan Hunt last August.

There will, however, be an addition on the production side, one that isn’t too exciting in the form of Jack Burditt. Burditt previously worked on Frasier during that 1996 dip, the “This would be funny if I were American” 30 Rock, Tim Allen-lead mediocrity Last Man Standing, very latter-day Modern Family, and most recently, Kristen Bell as “a sex & relationships podcaster” in Nobody Wants This. Indeed, no one wants Veronica Mars’ sex tips, but I’ll take Eleanor Shellstrop’s.

I’ll admit, after season three’s ending, I’m a little skeptical of how the show keeps up with those first three seasons. I’m glad to see Bill Lawrence is still involved, with Apple stating that Hunt and Goldstein continue as producers too, Dylan Marron serving as story editor, and season three writer’s assistant Julia Lindon joining as a writer for season four. There are a couple more names also noted, but for the most part, there is a good amount of consistency.

Given the current sentiment toward women’s sports and even women’s football (the proper one), it’s difficult to discern who’s got genuine skepticism and who’s upset at hearing that Coach Lasso is managing a women’s team. That is very much not my concern. I’m one of about three people who can tell you who Hasegawa Yui or Kirsten Reilly are without Google, so I’m clearly not going to complain about this change to women’s football. Nonetheless, I’m cautiously optimistic and very excited that we’re getting Ted Lasso season 4. It’s so good to finally say it.