Why Are Some Fan-Favorite Characters Not Returning to ‘Ted Lasso’?

Ted Lasso fans continued to “Believe” — and now the feel-good football series is coming back for a fourth season.

The Emmy-winning Apple TV+ phenomenon was originally planned as a three-season story, but on July 21, it was announced that Ted Lasso season 4 is officially in production. Filming kicked off in Kansas City, Mo., the hometown of series star Jason Sudeikis.

Leads Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins), Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton) and Juno Temple (Keeley Jones) all appeared in a first-look video and photo released by Apple in July, confirming their returns to the beloved series. However, quite a few other Ted Lasso stars — including Phil Dunster, who played Jamie Tartt — are not expected to appear in the upcoming season.

Season 4 will follow Ted as he takes on his “biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team,” according to the series’ synopsis.

So, who will and won’t be returning to AFC Richmond? Here’s everything to know about the cast of Ted Lasso season 4, so far.

Which stars are returning for Ted Lasso season 4?

The following actors have been confirmed for Ted Lasso season 4.

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso

The Emmy-winning actor will keep coaching as the titular Ted Lasso.

In a March 2025 press release announcing Ted Lasso season 4, Sudeikis said, “As we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to ‘look before we leap.’ In season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to ‘leap before they look,’ discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be.”

Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent

Brett Goldstein will be back as the gruff but lovable Roy Kent.

Since Ted Lasso season 3, Goldstein has been part of another Apple TV+ series, Shrinking.

Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton

Hannah Waddingham will reprise her role as Rebecca Welton, owner of AFC Richmond.

In a May 2023 Deadline interview, when asked about Ted Lasso season 3 concluding with her character getting a deserved happy ending, Waddingham said Rebecca is “a very good egg, and I treated her with great love.”

Juno Temple as Keeley Jones

Juno Temple will return as Keeley Jones.

During a March 2023 interview with Town & Country, the Fargo actress said returning for Ted Lasso season 3, “felt like coming home.”

“It’s like a safe place, seeing all these incredible faces that have guided you through this extraordinary experience,” Temple continued, adding, “All getting back together feels cozy, feels safe. There’s a safety net around it, which is really awesome.”

Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard

Brendan Hunt will be back as Ted’s right-hand man, Coach Beard.

In June 2025, Hunt told Entertainment Tonight that he “can’t wait” to return for season 4. “We’re getting going on that. We start shooting pretty soon,” he teased.

Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins

Jeremy Swift will return as Leslie Higgins, head of football operations.

During a For Your Consideration Emmys event in June 2023, on the future of Ted Lasso, Swift said, “I don’t know about any more seasons blah, blah, blah, but you can see that there is potential for other things.”

“It’s great that even if it doesn’t go anywhere, you can see that those characters aren’t just going to stay where they were, they’re going to move on,” he continued, per The Hollywood Reporter. “That’s an incremental part of how the show has always moved ahead, it’s always moved the characters ahead and it did that even in the last episode.”

Which stars are not expected to return for Ted Lasso season 4?

The following actors have not been confirmed as returning for the upcoming season, but they could still appear as guest stars.

Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt

Phil Dunster, who played football star Jamie Tartt, will not be returning, in part due to a scheduling conflict, “but could potentially reprise his role in some limited capacity,” Deadline reported in March 2025.

According to Variety, Dunster will star opposite Steve Carell in an upcoming untitled HBO comedy from Ted Lasso executive producer Bill Lawrence.

Nick Mohammed as Nathan Shelley

Nick Mohammed has not been announced as reprising his role of Nathan “Nate” Shelley, but he did tease a potential return.

In January 2025, Mohammad announced he would have to reschedule some dates of his comedy tour, Show Pony, due to filming conflicts.

“I cannot say what that filming is. But it will be announced shortly,” he said in a X video, per Deadline. “In the meantime, I would really appreciate if people just didn’t speculate as to what they think it might be,” Mohammad continued, not-so-subtly holding up a Ted Lasso “Believe” sign.

Sarah Niles as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone

Sarah Niles played sports psychologist Dr. Sharon Fieldstone. There has been no confirmation as to whether or not she will appear in the upcoming season.

The actress recently appeared in the summer racing blockbuster F1 and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Anthony Head as Rupert Mannion

Anthony Head played Rupert Mannion, the former owner of AFC Richmond and the main villain on Ted Lasso, though it is unclear whether he will reprise his role for season 4.

Rupert suffered public humiliation on the football field in the Ted Lasso season 3 finale, but Head had a different ending in mind for his character.

“I thought he might go down for fraud. Something that would undermine the core of his business,” he told Vulture in June 2023. “Because there has been a bit of that. People who have lots of money can be pulled to that sort of thing.”

Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya

Toheeb Jimoh starred as AFC Richmond player Sam Obisanya.

In March 2023, at the Ted Lasso season 3 premiere, Jimoh told PEOPLE about the strong connection between the series’ cast.

“We really have bonded. I think you can tell from the way we interact with each other, wherever we go, that there’s a real genuine connection between all of us,” he explained. “I think a lot of that was, on season 2, we were filming during a pandemic. There was a time where people couldn’t be around each other. Thankfully, I think we all saved each other.”

Jimoh has not spoken about a potential return to the series.

Cristo Fernández as Dani Rojas

Cristo Fernández played the happy and optimistic soccer star Dani Rojas.

It has not been revealed if Fernández will return, but in a January 2025 Screen Rant interview, the actor said he “would love to see Dani.”

“Ted Lasso has meant so much to me, not only to me as an actor, and having more opportunities and work, but just a message that has spread to so many fans around the globe,” he continued. “And I hope there’s more. I hope there’s more Ted Lasso. I hope there’s more Dani Rojas.”

Kola Bokinni as Isaac McAdoo

Kola Bokinni played Isaac McAdoo, Richmond Team Captain.

In June 2023, Bokinni told the Associated Press that the last day of filming Ted Lasso “was weird” for him.

“It was surreal. It didn’t quite hit me. You know, we had a couple of drinks afterwards and we we were celebrating, but I was kind of like a little bit solemn because I didn’t really know that it was the end,” he said.

“I’m just really thankful that I got to be a part of it. To be honest,” the actor added.

It is unconfirmed if Bokinni will return for season 4.

Billy Harris as Colin Hughes

Billy Harris played footballer Colin Hughes, who came out as gay in season 3.

In April 2023, when asked about a potential fourth season of Ted Lasso, Harris told The Hollywood Reporter, “The moment that there is a season four, I’ll be ready with my football boots, ready to go again. I am as excited as and as curious as the whole world is, because I have no idea.”

James Lance as Trent Crimm

James Lance played journalist Trent Crimm.

Trent started out on the series as a sports reporter, but went on to write a book, The Richmond Way, about the underdog football team.

Lance has not spoken about returning to the series.