Ted Lasso has saved its leading man Jason Sudeikis during difficult moments in his life. The unwavering optimism of the TV sports comedy has helped millions of fans around the world thanks to the way it promotes themes of kindness, mental health and emotional wellbeing. The show is set to return next month for an unexpected fourth season.
Jason Sudeikis on how Ted Lasso helped him
Ted Lasso has been just as important for its creator Sudeikis who said: “It saved me, too.”
“It is infectious to play a character who sees the best in people and isn’t mad at the world for all its foibles and bullies and shadows.”
Sudeikis went through a highly publicised split from actress Olivia Wilde in late 2020, just as Ted Lasso was taking off. It led to a long and complicated legal battle over their two children, which has since been resolved.
Playing Ted Lasso brought joy and comfort
Playing the relentlessly positive Ted Lasso has been a joy and comfort for the US star. He told The Hollywood Reporter: “It’s not like I’m Daniel Day-Lewis, but it was good to live in that - to have that coursing through your brain and your body all day...It still is.”
The series originally reached its conclusion at the end of season 3 and despite being paid a rumoured $1million per episode Sudeikis thought it was over: “The story was told. Ted went home [to Kansas City] to be with his son. I wasn’t going to have Ted uproot their life to justify the money truck. It made no sense to me.”
Season 4 plot and future plans
However, now the team are back as Ted coaches a second-division women's football team for season 4. Fans will be delighted to learn that Sudeikis has a 'three-season story arc' in mind and is already plotting the next series. “I know I needed this,” he said about bringing back Lasso. “I needed it as much as other people do.”
Season 4 of Ted Lasso premieres August 5 on Apple TV.
