Jason Sudeikis addressed difficult phone calls to former “Ted Lasso” actors ahead of the show’s fourth season, which premieres August 5, 2026, featuring an all-female team and returning core cast members.
The Hollywood Reporter shared details on “very difficult” conversations with former “Ted Lasso” actors as the Apple TV+ series pivoted to a fourth season centered on an all-female soccer team, according to The Independent. The show’s star and co-creator, who had initially planned to end the series after three seasons, now aims for a fifth and sixth season, with Sudeikis confirming his vision for an additional three-season arc. The new season, set to debut August 5, 2026, marks a significant shift from the original male-centric AFC Richmond team, with some actors like Phil Dunster absent due to scheduling conflicts.
A New Direction, Old Relationships
Sudeikis revealed that he personally informed former cast members about the new creative direction, emphasizing the emotional weight of the conversations. Because I didn’t want them to hear it on the internet,
he told The Hollywood Reporter, and because I love those guys and we all went through something together.
The decision to abandon the original AFC Richmond team—central to the first three seasons—required Sudeikis to contact actors including Toheeb Jimoh, whose character Sam was joked about having a “funeral” in the new episodes. Jimoh’s status, along with that of Cristo Fernández, Kola Bokinni, and Billy Harris, was noted as currently having no update, though Sudeikis confirmed he phoned every actor to discuss it.
Sudeikis’s Reluctance and Reckoning
Sudeikis had initially declared the series “done” after three seasons, despite being offered more than $1 million per episode to continue. The story was told,
he said, referencing Ted Lasso’s return to Kansas City to be with his son. However, fan feedback and his own emotional connection to the character reignited his creative drive. It is infectious to play a character who sees the best in people,
he told The Hollywood Reporter, adding, It saved me, too.
The Hollywood Reporter noted “come to Jesus” Zoom calls between the team and Apple, though the show ultimately stayed under budget due to fewer football scenes. Sudeikis also addressed the recasting of Henry, the son of Ted Lasso, with Grant Feely taking over the role. We were just kind of kicking the tires on it,
Hunt said, reflecting on the early brainstorming phase.
Season 5 and the Road Ahead
While Apple TV has not officially commissioned a fifth season, Sudeikis expressed confidence in its potential. I think it has some of that season one magic,
said writer Brett Goldstein, who also plays Roy Kent. The show’s resurgence comes amid renewed industry attention, with Apple TV securing 87 Emmy nominations in 2026, including for “Ted Lasso.” However, the fate of Season 5 remains unconfirmed, with Apple’s Head of Programming, Matt Cherniss, stating, I don’t think we’ve gotten started on it yet.
Fans, who once called the show a “life raft” during the pandemic, now face a test of whether the new direction can replicate its earlier magic. As Sudeikis prepares for the August 5 premiere, the question lingers: will the show’s “best in people” ethos endure in a story about women’s football, or will the original cast’s absence mark a definitive end to an era?
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