Get your biscuits ready and start practiced your “diamond” formations—the most wholesome coach in sports history is officially returning to the pitch. After months of speculation, “will-they-won’t-they” rumors, and a finale that left us all reaching for the tissues, we finally have a window for our return to Nelson Road.
The Ted Lasso Season 4 release date has been the subject of intense fan debate since Apple TV+ first hinted at a continuation of the Richmond saga. Now, thanks to a very charming “slip of the tongue” on a London red carpet, we know exactly when to clear our calendars.
The BAFTA Leak: An August Premiere?
While attending the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday, Hannah Waddingham—the incomparable Rebecca Welton herself—became the bearer of great news. Speaking with Deadline, Waddingham was asked about the status of the fourth season. While Apple TV+ has been notoriously tight-lipped, Waddingham couldn’t contain her excitement.
“It’s a whole different deal,” she teased regarding the upcoming episodes. When pressed on the timing of the premiere, she dropped the bombshell: “August, I think.”
Realizing she might have jumped the gun on the official marketing rollout, she playfully asked the surrounding press, “Am I allowed to say August?” before jokingly adding, “What if I’m wrong?” But for fans who have been waiting since 2023 for a whiff of new content, the “August” confirmation feels like a win in stoppage time.
Introducing the “Lady Greyhounds”
The most intriguing part of Waddingham’s update wasn’t just the date, but the focus of the new season. She referred to the upcoming cast as “our Lady Greyhounds.” This confirms the long-running theory that Season 4 will pivot toward the AFC Richmond women’s team. At the end of Season 3, we saw Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) present Rebecca with a proposal for a Richmond women’s squad. It appears that the “Greyhound” brand is expanding, and Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is returning from Kansas to lead this new frontier.
The move to a second-division women’s football team presents a perfect “Ted” challenge. It allows the show to tackle fresh themes—like the massive growth of women’s sports in the UK—while maintaining the fish-out-of-water charm that made the first season a global phenomenon.
A New Three-Season Arc?
If you were worried that Season 4 was just a one-off “special event,” think again. Reports indicate that Jason Sudeikis has mapped out another three-season arc for this new story. Just as the original run was designed as a trilogy of Ted’s journey with the men’s team, this new era is being treated with the same long-term narrative care.
While Season 4 is currently the only one officially greenlit by Apple, the enthusiasm from the cast suggests they are in it for the long haul. Waddingham herself noted that she’d play Rebecca Welton “until I’m walking on a Zimmer frame when I’m 80.”
“I love it,” she said. “I love Rebecca… and the writing is so magnificent. Jason Sudeikis and the writers’ room, it’s like a finely tuned machine. The life lessons that you realize they’re just tipping in here and there—it’s brilliant.”
Who is Returning (and Who is New)?
Production is currently underway in London, and the call sheet is a beautiful blend of familiar faces and fresh talent. Alongside Waddingham, fans can expect the return of:
- Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso
- Juno Temple as Keeley Jones
- Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent
- Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard
- Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins
But a new team needs new players. Joining the Ted Lasso Season 4 cast is a wave of young talent likely making up the core of the Lady Greyhounds, including Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsey, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern, and Grant Feely.
The dynamic between the “Old Guard” of Richmond and this new generation of athletes is sure to provide the emotional friction that the show excels at. Will Roy Kent be coaching the defense? Will Keeley be handling the PR for a whole new set of stars? The possibilities for character growth are endless.
Why We Still Need Ted Lasso in 2026
In a television landscape that often leans into cynicism and “prestige” grit, Ted Lasso remains a beacon of radical empathy. Waddingham touched on this during her BAFTA interview, highlighting the importance of seeing a “boss lady” who is also allowed to be vulnerable.
“That’s what it’s given me that I had never had in anything else,” she explained. “The chance, even if you’re a six-foot-two woman in heels, to show the soft side… the vulnerability. They are as easily shatterable. I’ll be forever grateful.”
As we approach the August 2026 premiere, the anticipation is higher than ever. Whether Ted is coaching the Premier League or the second-division women’s league, the “Lasso Way” remains the same: it’s not about the wins or losses, it’s about making these players the best versions of themselves on and off the pitch.
Are You Ready to Believe Again?
The return of Ted Lasso feels like a warm hug we didn’t know we needed. With the focus shifting to the Lady Greyhounds and a potential three-year plan in place, the future of AFC Richmond looks brighter than ever. August can’t come soon enough!
What do you think about the shift to a women’s team focus for Season 4? Are you excited to see Ted back in the UK, or do you think his story should have stayed in Kansas? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
