HAVING surprisingly taken the US by storm with its tale of a small-town English football club, TV show Ted Lasso is back for a third series – and it promises to be the most sensational yet.
The Apple TV+ sitcom — which returned tonight — stars Jason Sudeikis as eccentric American coach Ted coming to the rescue of fictional team Richmond AFC.
Ted with Coach Beard and Nate Shelley in the showAppleJuno Temple as Keeley in the Apple TV+ hitAlamyExcited fans in the third series of the show about English football that’s taken America by stormAlamy
This time out the side pursue the ultimate football fairytale — aiming to win the Premier League in a stunning upset reminiscent of when Leicester City did the same in 2016.
Coinciding with the continued rise in the popularity of “soccer” in the States, Ted Lasso is one of Apple’s biggest hits, taking home four Emmy awards last year.
Yet there are rumours this series could be the last.
Leading man Jason, 47, however, is not giving anything away.
He said: “This is the end of this story that we wanted to tell, that we were hoping to tell, that we loved to tell.
“The fact that folks will want more and are curious beyond more than what they don’t even know yet — that being season three — it’s flattering.
“Maybe by May 31 [once all 12 episodes of the season have been released] they’re like, ‘Man, you know what, we get it, we’re fine. We don’t need any more, we got it’.
“But until that time comes, I will appreciate the curiosity beyond what we’ve come up with so far.”
Mourinho-style nastiness
In series three, Ted will be seen taking on the likes of footballing giants Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp in the top tier of English football.
The show’s makers secured a licensing deal with the Premier League to use official team jerseys, stadiums and media branding, so the new season will look more realistic than ever.
Jason Sudeikis in the show set in rural Richmond
And it is bound to feature a raft of famous cameos, following in the footsteps of Gary Lineker and TV host Jeff Stelling appearing in the last series.
The global success of Ted Lasso, especially in the US, can be seen as surprising given the show is about a British football team, set in rural Richmond, with a predominantly British cast who have since gone on to become household names.
Brett Goldstein, 42, who plays grunting football hardman turned coach Roy Kent — and who is also a writer on the show — has gone on to star as Hercules in the 2022 Marvel Thor movie.
Hannah Waddingham, 48, [AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton], has just joined the cast of the new Mission: Impossible film and will also co-host the Eurovision Song Contest in May.
While Juno Temple, 33, who plays Wag turned PR expert Keeley Jones, bagged a role in Paramount+ series The Offer, depicting the production of film The Godfather.
Ted Lasso was originally a character devised for an advert for US TV network NBC Sports’ coverage of the Premier League.
But the skit went down so well, Jason was inspired to make a series out of it, with writing partner Brendan Hunt starring as his team assistant Coach Beard.
The story begins with Lasso being plucked out of the college American Football league to manage AFC Richmond by new owner Rebecca.
She believes hiring the clueless boss will turn the club into a laughing stock, exacting revenge on the team’s previous owner, her unfaithful ex-husband Rupert Mannion [Anthony Head].
But the plan backfires, as the lovable coach wins over his team, fans — and finally Rebecca.
The club’s upturn in fortunes is helped by Nate Shelley [Nick Mohammed], the former kit man and secret tactical genius who Ted promotes to his coaching staff.
However, during series two, Nate’s ego grows, as does his paranoia that Ted is taking all credit for his efforts, resulting in him leaving to join rivals West Ham, now in the hands of former owner Rupert.
The new series will see Nate take on his former club in his first managerial role, where he has developed a Jose Mourinho-style nastiness.
But Ted is simply too nice for any mind games.
However, football is always a sideshow to what the series is all about — friendship, loyalty and personal growth.
Even Ted has his own problems, including panic attacks and bouts of anxiety, sparked by the death of his father while he was a teenager, which he speaks about in regular therapy sessions.
He is also living with the guilt of being on the other side of the world to his young son, who is still based in Kansas with his estranged wife.
Like every Premier League season, the new series will be full of twists and turns.
But whatever the end result — be it a title, relegation or mid-table mediocrity — it will be well worth joining the ride.
Jason was previously coupled up with Olivia Wilde who went on to date Harry StylesRex FeaturesHe’s now together with co-star and ex-Page 3 favourite Keeley HazellRex Features
SCORING OFF PITCH
THERE’S plenty on romance on the show, but love was in the air behind the screens too
Jason began dating co-star and ex-Page 3 favourite Keeley Hazell, 36, in March 2021, as revealed in The Sun after Jason filmed his Golden Globes winning speech via Zoom from inside her house.
They split last May due to their work schedules.
Jason was previously with actress Olivia Wilde, 39, with whom he has two children.
She went on to date pop star Harry Styles, 29.
