Ted Lasso Wants a New Son Who’s Better at Soccer

Ted Lasso was a show that hit me at exactly the right time. The first season missed me at its time of release because I was much more focused on having to spend lockdown sober as my wife and I tried to create life (we had twins and I can smoke weed again, so things worked out). Because I was distracted, and not a big soccer fan, I didn’t watch the show. Our kids were babies when season two was released so we watched lots of TV. I had heard I would like the show, finally dove in, and was struck by this overly kind character trying to rehabilitate a rag-tag team of footballers.

Lasso was kind, supportive, and a great leader. He wasn’t afraid to admit when he made a mistake or didn’t know something. His was a version of non-toxic masculinity that I gravitated toward. I directed a short film I wrote right after watching the first season and was so inspired I brought as much Ted Lasso energy with me on set as I could muster. The show was a massive success in my mind, and I even liked the third season, something Dustin may give me grief for later in the Pajiba Slack (but he liked the finale!).

Despite the finality of the third season, it made sense to me that the show would eventually have a fourth season. Admittedly, I assumed that the fourth season would be about other characters like Roy Kent and Rebecca Welton. There are still stories to tell about them. It seemed like they had ended Ted’s story by having him return home. Still, I was pretty amped when a fourth season was announced by Apple, with Sudeikis returning as the mustachioed coach.

I don’t know what the new season will be about, though I have my guesses. All I know is that I will be there for episode one, unlike Gus Turner, who played Ted’s son Henry in the first three seasons. Deadline is reporting that Henry will possibly be recast for the new season as a 12-year-old who has become a bit of a soccer player. While Apple declined to comment, it’s said that they are looking for a new actor who is proficient in soccer. Gus will even be allowed to audition based on these new criteria, which is kind of messed up!

It’s good that the kid is getting a shot, but they clearly didn’t think he was good enough to begin with. The whole thing feels antithetical to Ted’s whole deal. But, when you’re shooting in a mostly CGI stadium, you at least need to make sure the person you’re filming can play the game. I can’t say for certain the people playing on screen in the first three seasons are good, but arguably, neither can Ted Lasso!