The beloved Apple TV+ comedy "Ted Lasso" returns for its fourth season, shifting its focus to AFC Richmond's newly formed women's team. After a divisive Season 3 finale in 2023 left the future of the series uncertain, the new season, which premiered Wednesday, August 5, aims to build on the show's established themes while introducing new narratives and characters.
Season 4 finds Ted Lasso, portrayed by Jason Sudeikis, back in Kansas City. Having given up his dream job coaching his son Henry's soccer team, Ted is working in a grocery store, seemingly lacking professional passion. This changes when Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley (Juno Temple), and Higgins (Jeremy Swift) arrive with an offer to coach the women's team. Though initially hesitant to leave his family again, Ted's son and ex-wife, Michelle (Andrea Anders), decide to move to London with him, and he embraces the new challenge.
The new season introduces a cast of fresh faces on the women's team, including Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds), a talented assistant coach who is initially skeptical of Ted's appointment. Other key players include Gemma (Abbie Hern), a skilled striker who left professional football for law; Lizzie (Faye Marsay), a single mother balancing her career and family; Boots (Jude Mack), the team's confident goalie; and twin defenders Niamh (Aisling Sharkey) and Siobhan (Rex Hayes). The series also brings back familiar faces like Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), who continue to manage the men's team.
A central theme of Season 4 is the exploration of women's sports and the challenges female athletes face. The show addresses issues such as underfunding, lack of resources, pay disparities, and low media attention, highlighting the cultural biases that often marginalize women in athletics. Ted's unwavering belief in the capabilities and worth of female players, combined with his characteristic positivity and empathy, positions him as an ally to the underdog team.
While the season aims to develop new characters and storylines, some critics note that the new players feel less developed than their male counterparts did in the early seasons. The show also grapples with unresolved romantic entanglements, including the continued "just friends" status of Roy and Keeley, Rebecca's long-distance relationship, and the possibility of a new love interest for Ted. The writing aims for tighter storytelling compared to Season 3, with episode runtimes ranging from 42 to 48 minutes.
Despite some narrative challenges and unanswered questions, the core humor and heart of "Ted Lasso" remain intact. The performances from Sudeikis, Waddingham, Temple, and Goldstein continue to be a strong point, with each actor embodying their characters' complexities. The show's ability to blend comedy with emotional depth and offer a hopeful perspective on life's challenges is a significant draw for its audience.
New episodes of "Ted Lasso" Season 4 are available Wednesdays on Apple TV+.