In the halftime show of the World Cup final - which felt like a fever dream to some soccer fans - Ted Lasso casually subbed in Justin Bieber (32). Nearly a week later, Jason Sudeikis (50), in the role of the relentlessly optimistic soccer coach, is making headlines again. On Monday evening in Los Angeles, the premiere party for the fourth season of the series took place, which will be available on Apple TV starting August 5, with new episodes released weekly.
Along with the title hero, numerous stars from previous seasons returned for the event. However, not all beloved characters will appear in the new episodes - instead, there's a whole bunch of new characters with favorite potential. Which old veterans made it onto Ted's team for Season 4, and who will definitely be absent?
New team, same coaching staff
In the first three seasons, Ted Lasso famously took over the chaotic British soccer club AFC Richmond, instilled his almost annoying American optimism into the men's team, and ultimately led them into the Champions League.
In the new episodes, he wants to repeat this feat with a newly founded women's team at the same location in Richmond. Only in the Season 3 finale did PR consultant Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) pitch her idea for a women's team to club owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) - thereby maintaining the option for a fourth season.
The premise for the new episodes makes it clear that Ted's previous protégés, including Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernández), and Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh), will only appear in small guest roles at most.
At the coaching and club level, however, there will be many reunions: Actor Brendan Hunt returns as Ted's right-hand man Coach Beard. Alongside Waddingham and Temple, Brett Goldstein also returns as grumpy club legend Roy Kent.
Fans will have to do without the series' previous antagonist, however. Actor Anthony Head, who played Rupert Mannion and took diabolical pleasure in sabotaging the success of his ex-wife Rebecca Welton, passed away on June 1 of this year at the age of 72. According to reports, he had not filmed any scenes for the new season.
Eleven friends you shall be
A completely newly created women's team naturally means numerous brand-new characters. As in previous seasons, the series will focus particularly on some of the players.
The ambitious Gemma (Abbie Hern) is one of them, as are the fierce Lizzie (Faye Marsay) and the level-headed goalkeeper Boots (Jude Mack). Actresses Aisling Sharkey and Rex Hayes have a special assignment: they play the twins Niamh and Siobhan, who both play as defenders on the field.
Another newcomer is Tanya Reynolds. She portrays Alice Chilton in Season 4, who joins the coaching team around Ted Lasso and Coach Beard as female reinforcement and must first get accustomed to the duo's unusual methods.
The ten new episodes will be available domestically starting August 5, with a new episode appearing on Apple TV each week.
