"Ted Lasso" Season 3 on Apple TV+.
As Ted Lasso inches toward a Season 4 renewal, Deadline reported this weekend that the studio behind the show secured option pickups for three main cast members and is working to obtain more. Unfortunately, one beloved star may not return for the next installment as a series regular.
Both Deadline and Puck News’ Matthew Belloni recently reported that Phil Dunster, who portrays AFC Richmond footballer Jamie Tartt, has not been picked up by the series, likely due to scheduling conflicts. Dunster currently stars in two series, Prime Video’s The Devil’s Hour and Apple’s Surface. Apple TV+ representatives for Ted Lasso have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Phil Dunster in Ted Lasso on Apple TV.
In an interview with Esquire last year, following the premiere of Season 3, Dunster revealed what he will miss most about playing Tartt. “He has an element to him, which I just don’t, and that is a total conviction of who he is,” the actor explained. “He’s a little terror, but he’s learned to be that guy with some kindness. I’ll miss just knowing this dude intimately and all of his choices. It was a real gift.”
Even if Dunster doesn’t appear in a series regular role, there’s a chance the English actor could still appear in Season 4 as a guest star — a viable option for the Ted Lasso actors who cannot commit to another season.
Jeremy Swift and Hannah Waddingham in "Ted Lasso," now streaming on Apple TV+.
As of now, Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Walton), Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent), and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins) have reportedly all received pickups from Warner Bros. Television, according to the report.
There is no word yet on co-creators and executive producers Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) and Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard), and Juno Temple (Keeley Jones). The studio is expected to reach out to them next — and any other stars with SAG-AFTRA contracts whose options have expired, sources told Deadline.
Following the reports of Season 4, Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed (Nathan Shelley) wrote “told ya!” with a laughing emoji on X (formerly Twitter).
Co-creator Bill Lawrence told Collider in August 2024 that the decision about returning for Season 4 ultimately rests with Sudeikis.
“Not only is he the star, he’s the head writer, and he’s also the dude whose life just has to be completely overhauled and moved to a foreign country with young children,” Lawrence explained. “It’s a big deal. So, as a fan, if someone’s like, ‘Oh, it’s gonna happen again,’ I’ll go nuts. As a partner, I’m down for whatever he wants to do.”
Stay tuned to learn more about Ted Lasso Season 4.