Jason Sudeikis will resume his role as beloved title character “Ted Lasso” as the series returns for a surprise fourth season, but it turns out not everyone in the original cast is coming back.
Apple TV + announced the return of the beloved series last week.
But according to “Deadline,” 11-year-old Gus Turner, who played Ted Lasso’s son Henry, is not returning to the show. Instead, the show is looking for a new actor to fill that role.
Turner appeared in all three original seasons of “Ted Lasso,” though a lot of that time, the scenes involved Ted and Henry speaking on the phone by FaceTime.
Still, some of the show’s most poignant moments involved Henry visiting his soccer coach dad in London.
Fans Thought ‘Ted Lasso’ Was Over After Season Three
It was widely believed that the end of season three was the series finale. In fact, that episode was titled “So Long, Farewell” and involved not only Ted Lasso quitting his job as head coach of AFC Richmond, but the team offering their coach an emotional and musical goodbye.
That episode debuted on Apple TV May 31, 2023, nearly two years ago.
But it turns out Jason Sudeikis had more of Ted Lasso’s story to tell.
In a press release titled “Believe” after Ted’s iconic message to his team, Sudeikis said, “âAs we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to âlook before we leap, in season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to LEAP BEFORE THEY LOOK, discovering that wherever they land, itâs exactly where theyâre meant to be.â
Changes For Season Four of ‘Ted Lasso’
What that means and when fans will see it is still up in the air. But we do know that the show’s creative team has added several new members, including new executive producer Jack Burditt. Burditt’s credits include “Modern Family” and “Nobody Wants This.”
Sudeikis, who is not only the star but also the creator of the Emmy-winning series, has let a few things slip about season four.
Sudeikis appeared on the March 14 episode of Travis and Jason Kelce’s podcast “New Heights,” where he revealed that Ted will be “coaching a women’s team,” and hinted that fans should expect to see a new side of the character.
Plot Point Believed to Be Reason for Casting Change
According to “Deadline,” Season 4 of “Ted Lasso” will start in Kansas. Season three ended with Lasso walking away from his head coaching job in England to return to Kansas to be closer to his son.
“Deadline” reports that the new “Henry” will be required to show off soccer skills, which the magazine says is believed to be the reason for re-casting the role.
Beloved Characters Return to ‘Ted Lasso’ for Season Four
According to “People,” Brett Goldstein will reprise his beloved curmudgeon character “Roy Kent” and will also serve as a writer and executive producer on the show.Â
“Deadline” also reports that Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca) and Jeremy Swift (Leslie) will return, with Juno Temple (Keeley) in negotiations to come back as well. The magazine writes that “Ted Lasso” co-creator Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard) doesnât have an acting deal as yet but has been working as writer/executive producer alongside Sudeikis and Goldsetin on scripts for the new season.
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