Apple TV’s “Ted Lasso” returns for a fourth season three years after its third installment received mixed critical reception, though it maintained a substantial viewership. The streaming service’s decision to continue the sports comedy reflects the commercial value of one of its flagship programs, though this alone doesn’t guarantee entertainment quality.
The new season introduces a fresh premise in which Ted, played by Jason Sudeikis, returns to London to coach a newly established women’s soccer team for AFC Richmond. This setup creates narrative tension between serving as a reunion for previous characters and establishing a genuine fresh start for the series. New cast member Tanya Reynolds joins as Alice Chilton, a no-nonsense coach who provides an effective counterpoint to Ted’s relentless optimism, though she remains one of the few fully developed newcomers among the reviewed episodes.
The season benefits from tighter episode lengths compared to its predecessor, with early installments staying under an hour. However, the show struggles with overcrowding, maintaining substantial screen time for legacy characters like Roy Kent and Beard rather than prioritizing the stories of women’s team members. While the series introduces intriguing new faces—including a single-mother player and a goalie with unconventional equipment choices—these characters lack the development they deserve due to narrative space constraints occupied by established cast members.
“Ted Lasso” Season 4 functions more effectively as a reboot than as a continuation, offering opportunities for renewal while simultaneously clinging to familiar storylines that have lost their impact.
Originally reported by Variety →
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