Here's what I need to see happen in 'Ted Lasso' Season 4

From Ted's parenting to Rebecca's relationship status, here are my "Ted Lasso" Season 4 nonnegotiables

Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham in “Ted Lasso.” (Apple TV+)

Well… it’s happening.

Last week, Jason Sudeikis casually dropped a bomb on the Kelce brothers’ podcast: “Ted Lasso” Season 4 is officially in the works.

Apple TV+ smartly never called Season 3 “the final season” — because, let’s be honest, they like money. But Sudeikis and the gang heavily implied they’d told the story they set out to tell. And yet… here we are. Season 4. Ted’s coaching a women’s team — presumably the newly formed AFC Richmond women’s side teased in the Season 3 finale.

As a die-hard Ted Head and an honorary Greyhound (just ask Hannah Waddingham), I’m feeling all kinds of ways. On one hand, the series was basically perfect — INCLUDING THE ENDING, HATERS — and I don’t need that tarnished. On the other hand, I trust Sudeikis & Co. with my whole biscuit-loving heart. If he’s serving up more barbecue sauce, I’ll gladly take a second helping.

What we know so far:

• Season 4 will see Ted coaching a women’s team, presumably soccer but not 100% confirmed.

• Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca), Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent), and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins) all renewed their options for the new season but have not been officially confirmed yet. Also, Juno Temple is reportedly in negotiations to return as Keeley Jones.

• The role of Henry, Ted’s son, will be recast for the new season, possibly signifying a time jump.

• Production is expected to start in July 2025, and rumored to begin in Kansas City before heading back to England.

• 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.”

As for what I’d like to see in Season 4, here we go…

Juno Temple and Hannah Waddingham in “Ted Lasso.” (Apple TV+)

New Season, New Characters

This may be an unpopular opinion, but we don’t need everyone to return. As much as I’d love to get the band back together, let’s make this something new. Like I said, Seasons 1-3 were a perfect arc for so many characters, so let’s start fresh in Season 4 and head in a new direction. Let’s not drag every character along just because we miss them. Keep the core — Rebecca, Higgins, Roy, sure — but let’s meet a whole new batch of players we can fall in love with the way we did with Jamie Tartt and Dani Rojas. Though my beloved Phil Dunster can pop in anytime. That man’s got a standing invite.

I’m hopeful, because Sudeikis used the word “folks,” not “players.” I’m reading between the lines and manifesting a full roster of new Greyhound ladies who will steal our hearts and make us cry over fictional sports victories all over again.

Jason Sudeikis and Gus Turner in “Ted Lasso.” (Apple TV+)

No More Daddy Issues

Henry must move to Richmond with Ted. This is a nonnegotiable. Ted’s entire story was about returning home for his son. Don’t undo that. The recast suggests Henry’s getting more screen time beyond just FaceTimes — let’s give him a bigger role and see Ted’s parenting skills up close and personal. And if the rumor’s true that they wanted an actor with actual football skills? Even better.

Picture this: Rebecca and Higgins recruit young Henry into Richmond’s youth academy, luring the Lassos back to the U.K. Ted sticks around as the women’s coach. Beard and Roy mentoring Henry on the pitch? Inject that into my veins.

I don’t really have any strong feelings on whether or not his ex-wife, Michelle, makes the trip. Season 3 left their potential rekindling open ended, so I could see it going either way.

Hannah Waddingham and Matteo van der Grijn in “Ted Lasso.” (Apple TV+)

Sink the TedBecca Ship

I love you, TedBecca stans, but… no. They are platonic soulmates. Season 3 gave Rebecca a beautiful ending with her charming Dutchman, Matthijs — literal airport magic! To circle back to a Ted romance would feel like undoing that beautiful closure. Let Rebecca thrive, whether she’s embracing the stepmother life with Matthijs and his daughter or running the club solo. Just not with Ted.

Shannon Hayes and Jason Sudeikis in “Ted Lasso.” (Apple TV+)

A Familiar Face on the Roster

This one may seem minor, but remember Shannon? The young women’s player Ted kept bumping into at the park by his flat? Bring her in! She doesn’t need to be the star, but that’s the kind of thoughtful touch this show excels at – and a wink that yes, they secretly were planning this fourth season all along. No sarcasm here at all.

So there you have it. I’m a simple man. I trust Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and all the brilliant minds behind “Ted Lasso,” so I’m really just happy to be along for the ride.

I’ll follow Ted anywhere — even if it’s to Kansas City and back again.