Source: Apple.

When Ted Lasso premiered in 2020 on Apple TV+ (RIP to that glyph), it quickly became the darling of Apple’s box-fresh new streaming service, subsequently winning a ton of awards, worldwide recognition, and even a presidential visit for the cast. Many attributed its success to everyone being in lockdown, but that just wasn’t true. Ted Lasso was always a comedy aimed at being thoughtful and embracing people for who they are, themes that resonate universally even outside of a global pandemic.

So here we find ourselves in 2026, with the return of Ted Lasso to a world where everything is happening. Ted might not be the hero we deserve, but can he still be the hero we need? (Tiny spoilers abound.)

The biggest question going into this fourth run of the show has to be, “Why?” Season three wrapped up every plot thread and – spoiler alert – saw Ted heading back to America to be with his son. In the intervening period, Apple presumably had many persuasive chats with co-creators Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, and Bill Lawrence that involved numbers with many zeros written on the back of napkins. Whatever the final reasons ended up being, three years later, we have a fourth season.

Here is where I think it’s worth cutting to the chase and giving the writers credit: they’ve crafted something that certainly justifies its return. It’s not always plain sailing, but it’s good to see that the team isn’t trying to rehash what they did before and have instead created something that, while familiar, also feels novel and fresh.

Getting the gang back together. Source: Apple.

In fact, the chief problem with the show’s return is the first episode. When Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley (Juno Temple), and Higgins (Jeremy Swift) arrive to ask Ted (Jason Sudeikis) to coach a nascent women’s team, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s an easy decision. Ted doesn’t seem to have any real friends (though everyone likes him, of course), hobbies, or a social life outside of his relationship with his son. Indeed, the excuse Ted finds to return strays heavily into deus ex machina territory because his backstory in America is so non-existent.

It’s a necessary step in getting Ted to return to Richmond, but the episode drags after a while and makes you realize that the charm of Ted – and, indeed, the show – hinges on the conflicts, quirky personalities, and struggles of AFC Richmond. If everyone reflects Ted’s endless positivity back at him, it gets slightly grating. Thankfully, the actual plot kicks into gear in episode two, as Ted returns to coach the Lady Greyhounds.

New Start

This change of focus jettisons all of the men’s team, including key characters like Nate (Nick Mohammed) and Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster, who is now killing it on Rooster), and brings in a completely fresh, entirely female and non-binary group. The aforementioned Rebecca, Keeley, and Higgins are returning, of course, and along with Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) and Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), the returning cast members slip back into their roles with ease.

As in previous seasons, it’s Waddingham and Temple who are the standouts. They’re both a joy to watch, and their relationship is the real love story of the show. Speaking of being a joy to watch, it’s a relief that with all the cast exits, the legendary Annette Badland is still around as foul-mouthed publican Mae.

The one person who doesn’t quite work – at least in these first four episodes provided for review – is Roy. He’s currently the head coach for the men’s team, but as we never see the men’s team, he’s reduced to pining after Keeley and providing gruff asides to Ted and the crew. Brett Goldstein is as watchable as ever, but I can’t help thinking that they’re keeping him on for the fans who still ship Keeley and Roy.

Finally, there’s Sudeikis as our favorite biscuit-making, tea-hating coach. It’s safe to say that this is the role he’ll be remembered for for years to come, and after a third season where he seemed to be tiring, he’s back with a vengeance in this latest run. His joke delivery is sharper, the sayings are more convoluted and delightful, and the mustache is stronger than ever.

New Stories

It’s great to see the original cast reunite, but the biggest strength of the opening four episodes lies with the incoming team and the way it depicts the struggles and thrills of women’s team sports. Women’s football may be going from strength to strength these days (especially here in the UK), but it frequently comes up against issues ranging from the patriarchy to funding to base sexism. Despite this, the writers intelligently avoid focusing on standard problems like catcalling and ignorance (though they do rear their heads, naturally) and instead try to find different, more interesting angles.

One great story arc early on involves Rebecca, a rich woman in a privileged position, coming to realize she might not be a genuine ally for her fellow women. I won’t spoil what happens, but its depiction of feminism requiring constant work rang true to me, a cis man who’s frequently wondering if I’m being a good enough ally.

Ted and Chilton are opposites in many ways. Source: Apple.

A glaring issue addressed from the beginning of the season is that Ted is a man, and when he takes the head coach job, the female assistant coach, Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds), is passed over. It’s not an easy start, but Ted acknowledges the hypocrisy, often stepping aside for Alice to take the lead with the team and amusingly getting into situations where he forgets his male privilege, even if his heart’s in the right place.

This results in a hilarious scene in episode four where Ted and Beard have to come up with a creative way to enter a women’s dressing room during an emergency while also respecting it as a safe space for the players. It’s goofy, fun, and typical of why we love the show.

New Team

So what of this new team? While there is a whole slew of new characters, the show focuses on five key players. There’s the Irish twins Siobhan (Rex Hayes) and Niamh (Aisling Sharkey), who bicker and fight like, well, siblings. Incoming striker Gemma (Abbie Hern) arrives a couple of episodes in, carrying animosity towards Coach Chilton while studying to be a lawyer.

My new favorite, Boots, played by Jude Mack. Source: Apple.

Then there’s my personal favorite: Boots (Jude Mack), the team’s goalkeeper. They prefer not to wear gloves so they can “feel” the game more, a line that sounds cheesy in writing but comes off pretty cool when delivered by Mack. Furthermore, their badass defense of another player in episode four elicited a gasp and an air punch out of me.

Faye Marsay as Lizzie. Source: Apple.

Finally, there’s the one well-known actor on the team: Faye Marsay, who plays single mother Lizzie. You’ll recognize Marsay from excellent turns in Andor and Adolescence, and she brings a natural assuredness to the most senior member of the team.

Every new casting decision is spot-on, and you instantly find yourself on the new team’s side – not just to watch them fight and overcome their challenges, but because they’re funny, loud, full of life and a lot of fun.

The new season of Ted Lasso was worth the wait, but it will undoubtedly attract criticism for being too “woke”, mainly for its focus on women and non-binary people. I can’t emphasize how nonsensical that is. These stories are compelling, and the characters engaging. People act with humanity and consideration but, importantly, don’t always get it right. There are lots of jokes, and you feel good after watching an episode. Honestly, what more could you want?

Episode one of Ted Lasso’s 10-episode fourth season is available to stream now on Apple TV. New episodes premiere every Wednesday.