On May 31, 2023, perplexed AFC Richmond followers watched Jason Sudeikis’ beloved fictional soccer coach stare them down as The Flaming Lips’ early 2000s jam “Fight Test” ushered in the long run credit of Ted Lasso Season 3. In the months, weeks, days, and even hours main as much as the supersized episode, essentially the most diehard devotees of the Emmy-winning Apple TV+ dramedy had no thought if the ultimate scene in “So Long, Farewell” would mark the tip of the collection. And six months later, they nonetheless don’t!
Whether the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes delayed Ted Lasso and Apple TV+ discussions or Season 3 showrunner Jason Sudeikis and his fellow co-creators have but to resolve on a Richmond recreation plan, followers don’t have any extra readability on the way forward for the collection heading into 2024 than they did again in May.
Will the present proceed sans Ted, or will he return to his second residence overseas? Are we getting a derivative that reveals Roy (Brett Goldstein) as AFC’s new supervisor and Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) and Keeley (Juno Temple) assembling an AFC Women’s Team? Were all these flash-forwards on the finish of Season 3 a part of an elaborate dream sequence? And does Rebecca actually find yourself with that Dutch Boat Man (whose identify I nonetheless don’t know,) or will TedBecca stans finally get the rom-com ending they’ve been craving?
Unclear on all counts! But followers deserve some closure!
Despite the shortage of official updates on the way forward for Ted Lasso, a possible Season 4, or any attainable spinoff collection, there have been fairly just a few noteworthy show-related developments over the previous six months that would recommend all hope isn’t misplaced! Apple TV+ and Ted Lasso reps have but to answer Decider’s request for remark, however regardless of main combined indicators from creators repeatedly saying they noticed the collection as a three-season story however refusing to close down a Season 4, reps did emphasize again in May that “season three has not been confirmed as the ultimate season.”
On one hand, the forged and crew shared last-minute goodbye posts to social media forward of the Season 3 finale, then launched six and a half minutes of emotional bonus footage that provided an added sense of finality. On the opposite hand, Apple TV+ actively selected to incorporate “Season Finale” (not “Series Finale”) within the “So Long, Farewell” episode description. And every week after the finale aired, the streamer tweeted a photograph of AFC Richmond leaders Roy, Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), and Nate (Nick Mohammed) alongside the caption, “Smells like potential.” Understandably, followers took the publish as a tease for Richmond tales nonetheless to return.
As Decider famous in a earlier piece, each time it looks like extra Ted Lasso is out of the query, somebody says one thing to present followers a renewed sliver of hope. Over the years, these concerned with the collection have vocalized curiosity in a possible continuation of kinds, with author and star Brett Goldstein even telling Variety, “I really like taking part in Roy Kent. I’ve pitched a Season 4 thought to Jason that he’s contemplating.”
In the months since Ted Lasso Season 3 concluded, Mattel launched a line of Ted Lasso Barbie dolls; actors Brendan Hunt, Kola Bokinni, and Billy Harris accepted an award on behalf of the present’s constructive consciousness of psychological well being; Jason Sudeikis busted out his character’s signature dance at a school basketball recreation, then busted out some severe vocals with Ted Lasso co-stars at his annual Thundergong! profit live performance; and Hannah Waddingham orchestrated an enormous Ted Lasso reunion for her Apple TV+ vacation particular, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas.
The present’s continued prevalence in right this moment’s popular culture panorama emphasizes its enduring recognition, the shut relationships amongst forged members, and their robust ties to Apple. So I don’t suppose we are able to say {that a} return to Richmond is out of the query fairly but — particularly when forged members like Hannah Waddingham and Nick Mohammed are jokingly dropping “Ted Lasso Season 4” bombs proper earlier than our eyes.
In a post-finale Reddit AMA, co-creator Brendan Hunt instructed followers that he and the forged “don’t know” the destiny of the collection, however he assured everybody, “we want a break and can take one presently. Nothing has been dominated out, every little thing is feasible; however that features the likelihood that we’re carried out. We received’t know till we’ve sat with it for some time, decompressed, and so on.” Waddingham echoed that sentiment in an interview with Deadline, saying, “I genuinely do not know — none of us does (if that is the collection finale).”
As for a attainable ladies’s league spin-off (which her co-star Juno Temple expressed curiosity in,) Waddingham just lately instructed The Hollywood Reporter, “Everyone retains asking this, however no, there’s been no phrase of a derivative in any respect, and I’ve made it fairly clear that until Ted was in it… I can’t think about actually a world the place Rebecca exists with out Ted as a result of they’re one another’s inspiration.”
So six months after the Season 3 finale, it seems like the way forward for Ted Lasso is, as predicted, within the arms of Jason Sudeikis. We’ll have to attend and see if he’s keen to reprise his critically acclaimed function to some extent and discover the world he created past his unique imaginative and prescient. And then after “a break” of unknown size, the forged must discover themselves able to commit.
Until then, within the paraphrased phrases of the sort coach himself: Thank you, Ted Lasso, for all of the recollections, the laughs, the tears, the impactful storylines, the charming characters, and the renewed sense of hope. And fuck you for leaving us hanging.
Ted Lasso Seasons 1 by 3 are presently streaming on Apple TV+.
