Phil Dunster, known for his portrayal of cocky soccer player Jamie Tartt in the first three seasons of "Ted Lasso," has made an unexpected return to Season 4 of the Apple TV+ comedy. His reappearance occurred in the sixth episode of the current season, which follows Ted Lasso coaching a women's team.

A New Year's Eve Encounter

The episode sees characters Keely (Juno Temple) and Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) attending a New Year's Eve party. There, they encounter Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), who is present to witness Jamie "make an absolute tit of himself." The event is revealed to be the launch of Jamie's new vodka line, "Apple Tartt Vodka." Dunster's character makes a dramatic entrance to a cheering crowd, sporting bleached hair and surrounded by peculiar artwork of himself.

Jamie expresses dismay at the distorted artwork depicting his face, likening himself to a "two-eyed cyclops." He is shown to be playing for Barcelona and interacts with Roy, Keely, and Rebecca. During their time together, Jamie refers to Roy as "the brother I never had."

Dancing Disaster

As the group prepares to leave, the DJ plays House of Pain's "Jump Around." Jamie and Roy begin jumping along to the music, which leads to Roy collapsing with a knee injury. Jamie assists Roy, who expresses embarrassment as he is carried away.

The New Year's Eve celebration concludes with Jamie, Keely, and Rebecca at the hospital, by Roy's bedside as he experiences a reaction to pain medication for his injured knee.

Cast Changes and Character Arcs

In the first three seasons, Jamie and Roy were often rivals, both romantically for Keely's affection, but they developed a close friendship by the end of Season 3. The shift in focus to a women's team in Season 4 has led to the departure of several male soccer player characters, including Dani Rojas, portrayed by Cristo Fernandez.

Dunster, 34, had not been initially announced as part of the returning cast for Season 4. He had previously spoken vaguely about a potential return, telling People in March that it was "maybe" and that he believed Season 4 would be "brilliant." He also attended the Season 4 premiere.

Dunster's wife, filmmaker Ellie Heydon, directed episodes four and five of Season 4. He mentioned in an April interview on "The Rich Eisen Show" that he was "riding shotgun on [his wife’s] experience of it" and that the show had "changed my life."

"Ted Lasso" Season 4 is currently available on Apple TV+, with new episodes released on Wednesdays.