Ted Lasso is expanding its fictional universe with a new focus on women’s football, bringing back core creative talent and introducing fresh characters to Richmond AFC. Co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis, alongside fellow co-creator Brendan Hunt, drew inspiration for the new chapter from witnessing the Lionesses capture victory at the 2022 UEFA European Championship in London, where the production team connected directly with players including captain Leah Williamson.
The transition follows a record-setting three-season run on Apple TV that concluded in 2023, making household names of British cast members including Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, and Nick Mohammed. While the original series focused on an American football coach taking charge of an English Premier League club, the upcoming episodes shift the spotlight to Richmond’s newly formed women’s team, the Lady Greyhounds, as they navigate their inaugural season under the guidance of returning coaches.
The return of the beloved characters to the global stage was previewed during the men’s World Cup final broadcast last month, where Sudeikis and Hunt appeared in character as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard during the half-time show. For the actors cast as the new generation of Richmond players, the surprise cameo generated immediate reactions as personal phones flooded with notifications.
“I was out with friends, and then my phone started pinging,” Rex Hayes, who portrays new football recruit Siobhan, told reporters. “Eventually I thought, ‘That’s too many messages. What’s wrong? So I checked, and I was like, ‘Wow, that is the craziest thing ever, for those two characters to be partaking in the half-time show at the final of the World Cup. That’s a lot of people watching right now.'”
Co-star Aisling Sharkey, who plays Hayes’s on-screen twin sister and teammate Niamh, admitted she had no prior knowledge of the televised appearance. “I was watching with my mates, and everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, you know him, you know him!’ I said, ‘Yeah, I do, actually!’ He texted me happy birthday. And here he is at the World Cup,” Sharkey said.
Building the Lady Greyhounds and Training for the Pitch
Bringing authenticity to the fictional women’s team involved physical preparation for the cast, many of whom participated in boot camps designed to bridge the gap between acting and professional football. Sharkey noted the steep learning curve during initial training sessions, contrasting her early performance on the pitch with the skill levels required for the production.
“Oh my God, I had the most fun ever. I was like: ‘I love football! I’ll be fine!’ Then the first day, I was dogs**t! I was really bad. Some of us are actors who play football, some of the team are footballers who can act,” Sharkey explained.
Hayes reflected on a lifelong affinity for the sport that was cut short during childhood. “I’ve supported Liverpool my whole life. I’ve also played football for most of my life. I stopped playing when I was 12 years old, because I couldn’t play with the boys any more. If I’d had a team to play for, I might have been a footballer in a different life. Now I’m living out that dream, but without having to give up doughnuts! It’s lush.”
The dynamic between the on-screen twin sisters was established early, beginning with their audition process. Hayes recalled Sharkey playfully challenging her lines during the casting session, which set a competitive tone that carried over to their first day on set.
“On the first day on set we had to beat each other up. We went, ‘Hi, nice to meet you, everyone,’ and then we were scrambling on the floor. My stud went into Rex’s leg and gave them a huge bruise. It was like, ‘straight in, no kissing!'” Sharkey said.
Exploring Real-World Differences in Women’s Football
The new episodes aim to highlight the specific structural and cultural differences between men’s and women’s professional sports. Sharkey pointed to her own upbringing in Ireland, where athletic opportunities for girls in schools were often limited compared to boys’ programs.
“This season has the same energy as season one. It’s light-hearted. It’s feel-good. But the subject matter is really important. I can’t speak for England, but growing up in Ireland we had some great footballers in our primary school, but there was no girls’ team,” Sharkey said. “The only girl who ever went on to play professionally was a girl who used to play on the boy’s team in primary school and secondary school, because there wasn’t a team for her. Now she’s a pro, which is class – but she’s probably getting paid pennies.”
Cast members believe the show’s signature optimism can help introduce broader audiences to women’s soccer, mirroring how the first three seasons brought viewers closer to football in general. Hayes noted that women’s soccer has historically enjoyed robust popularity in the United States, and anticipates the series will continue bridging cultural gaps surrounding the sport.
“It’s actually been far more popular over there for years and years compared to here in the UK,” Hayes said. “I feel like it will absolutely welcome new audiences and people to women’s soccer, in a way that season one to three of Ted taught lots of people about football in general.”
Future Outlook for Richmond AFC
As production and promotional rollouts continue, fans can anticipate further announcements regarding premiere dates and episode schedules directly through official Apple TV channels. Viewers interested in tracking updates on the Lady Greyhounds’ debut season can consult the main Apple TV streaming platform and official production announcements for release timelines.
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