The mustache is back, the barbecue is flowing, and Richmond’s favorite American coach is ready for his biggest challenge yet.
Apple TV+ just dropped the feel-good bomb we’ve all been waiting for: Ted Lasso Season 4 is officially rolling, and the first-look photo is pure comfort food for the soul. Jason Sudeikis and his beloved Richmond family have reunited, and honestly, we’re not crying—you’re crying.
Home Sweet Home: The Gang’s All Here in Kansas City
The newly released photo captures everything we love about this show in one perfect frame. There’s Ted (Sudeikis) looking characteristically optimistic, flanked by the powerhouse trio of Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton), Juno Temple (Keeley Jones), and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins). They’re gathered around a classic Kansas City barbecue joint, and the warm, golden lighting practically radiates the same cozy energy that made us fall in love with this show in the first place.
It’s a homecoming in every sense of the word—not just for Ted returning to his Missouri roots, but for fans who’ve been desperately missing this found family dynamic. The image perfectly sets up what promises to be an emotional journey as our favorite fish-out-of-water coach tackles his most ambitious project yet.
Plot Twist Alert: Women’s Football Takes Center Stage
Apple TV+ has finally spilled the tea on what Ted’s been up to, and it’s exactly the kind of heartwarming challenge we’d expect from our favorite optimist. The official logline reveals that Ted returns to Richmond to coach a second division women’s football team—a move that feels both surprising and absolutely perfect for his character arc.
“Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would,” teases the synopsis. If that doesn’t sound like classic Ted Lasso wisdom wrapped in a new package, we don’t know what does. The man who taught us to “believe” is clearly ready to practice what he preaches on an entirely new playing field.” [Apple TV+ release]
The Richmond Reunion: Who’s Back and Who We’ll Miss
The Core Four Are Golden The heart of Richmond FC remains intact with the return of series regulars Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent), Brendan Hunt (Willis Beard), and Jeremy Swift. Seeing Roy Kent’s grumpy brilliance clash with women’s football dynamics? We’re already here for it.
New Faces, Familiar Energy The casting department has been busy bringing fresh talent to the pitch. Grant Feely, who charmed audiences as young Luke Skywalker in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, steps into the role of Henry Lasso, taking over from Gus Turner. It’s a smart recast that acknowledges the show’s timeline while keeping the family dynamics authentic.
The new ensemble also welcomes some impressive talent: Tanya Reynolds from Sex Education, Jude Mack (I Hate Suzie), Faye Marsay (Andor), Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey (Heirs of the Night), and Abbie Hern (My Lady Jane). Each addition promises to bring their own flavor to the Richmond universe we know and love.
The Bittersweet Goodbye: Missing Faces from the Pitch
Here’s where things get a little emotional. Some of our favorite Richmond players won’t be returning for this new chapter. Phil Dunster’s Jamie Tartt, Nick Mohammed’s Nathan “Nate” Shelley, and the beloved Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh) are notably absent from the Season 4 roster.
We’ll also be missing Cristo Fernández’s eternally optimistic Dani Rojas (whose “Football is life!” became our personal mantra), along with Kola Bokinni (Isaac McAdoo), Billy Harris (Colin Hughes), and James Lance’s journalist Trent Crimm. Even Dr. Sharon Fieldstone (Sarah Niles) and the deliciously villainous Rupert Mannion (Anthony Head) won’t be making the journey into Season 4.
While their absence stings, it also signals that this season is charting bold new territory—exactly what we’d expect from a show that’s never been afraid to subvert expectations.
From London to Kansas City: A Global Production
The season kicks off with filming in Ted’s hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, before heading back to the familiar streets of London. This bicontinental approach mirrors Ted’s own journey—rooted in American optimism but forever changed by his British adventure.
What This All Means: A New Chapter, Same Heart
Season 4 feels like the show’s most ambitious reinvention yet. Moving from men’s to women’s football isn’t just a plot device—it’s a statement about growth, change, and the universal power of believing in people. Ted’s journey from American football coach to Premier League miracle-worker to women’s football advocate feels like a natural evolution for a character who’s always been about seeing potential where others see problems.
The barbecue joint setting of that first photo isn’t just nostalgic—it’s symbolic. Ted’s taking everything he’s learned about leadership, community, and the beautiful game back to his roots, ready to apply those lessons to an entirely new challenge.
As production continues, one thing’s crystal clear: Ted Lasso Season 4 isn’t just coming back—it’s coming back with purpose, heart, and that same infectious optimism that made us believe in the power of kindness in the first place.
Now excuse us while we go rewatch every “believe” speech and practice our barbecue sauce rankings. Kansas City, here we come!
