The unmistakable whistle of Ted Lasso has returned to television screens, but this time, it’s echoing across a very different pitch. On August 5, 2026, Apple TV launched the highly anticipated fourth season of its Emmy-winning comedy, sending fans back to Richmond for a brand-new chapter—one that’s breaking ground for women’s sports on the small screen. With Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) at the helm, AFC Richmond has introduced its newest squad: the Lady Greyhounds, a second-division women’s football team ready to capture hearts and rewrite the playbook.
After three years spent back home in Kansas City, Ted is lured once more across the Atlantic, trading barbecue for biscuits as he takes on the challenge of coaching Richmond’s rookie women’s side. According to Decider, the new season not only reunites viewers with beloved characters like Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley (Juno Temple), Roy (Brett Goldstein), Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), and Higgins (Jeremy Swift), but also rolls out a fresh roster of faces, both on the field and behind the scenes.
This season, the Lady Greyhounds are front and center. Their story is anchored by Coach Alice Chilton, portrayed by Tanya Reynolds. As Decider notes, Reynolds’ Alice is a passionate and highly qualified assistant coach, whose skepticism toward Ted’s sunny optimism provides a new source of comedy and tension. Alice’s straight-faced, no-nonsense approach is a counterpoint to Ted’s signature charm, and hints of deeper struggles and personal traumas simmer beneath her exterior. Reynolds, a graduate of the Oxford School of Drama, brings a wealth of experience from both stage and screen, including roles in Emma, Sex Education, and Outlander.
But the Lady Greyhounds are more than just their coach. The cast of new players is as diverse as it is talented. Abbie Hern steps into the role of Gemma, a gifted striker who once left football behind to pursue a law degree. Faye Marsay takes on the part of Lizzie, the team’s center back and a single mother determined to juggle her family responsibilities with her love of the game. Marsay, known for her performances in Game of Thrones and Andor, describes Lizzie as "someone who loves football so much she’s willing to fight for a place in it, even when life’s pulling her in a hundred different directions."
Jude Mack brings to life Boots, the team’s fearless—and glove-less—goalkeeper, whose confidence may or may not be a bit of a bluff. Mack’s background as an actor, writer, and director, with credits in I Hate Suzie and The Man Who Fell to Earth, adds depth to the character’s bravado. Meanwhile, twin defenders Niamh and Siobhan, played by Aisling Sharkey and Rex Hayes, add sibling rivalry and teamwork to the mix, both on and off the field.
Other notable additions include Mercedes Assad as Margy, a lifelong football fan and grassroots player; Annelise Heywood as Mady, making her professional acting debut; and Shannon Hayes as Shannon, a character who started as a local girl playing football outside Ted’s apartment and now gets her shot at the pros. Hayes, with a background in both television and theater, brings a sense of continuity and growth to the series.
The support staff isn’t left out either. Lauren Hendricks appears as Caroline Seaward, the team’s overfamiliar physiotherapist whose disregard for boundaries is likely to spark both laughs and eye-rolls. And then there’s Tracey Ullman, a legendary figure in comedy, joining the cast as Zelda—a wildly unpredictable entrepreneur whose involvement with the club promises both opportunity and chaos. According to production notes cited by Decider, Ullman’s character brings a new dimension of unpredictability and business intrigue to the Lady Greyhounds’ world.
Fans will also notice a change in the Lasso family. Grant Feely replaces Gus Turner as Ted’s son, Henry, marking a new chapter for the character as Ted balances his transatlantic commitments with fatherhood. Feely, already familiar to audiences from roles in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Five Nights at Freddy’s, steps into the role with energy and warmth.
Season 4 spans ten episodes, a slight reduction from the twelve-episode runs of Seasons 2 and 3, but in line with the show’s debut season. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays at midnight Pacific Time (3:00 a.m. Eastern), with the finale scheduled for October 7, 2026. The full release schedule is as follows: Episode 1 premiered on August 5, followed by Episode 2 on August 12, Episode 3 on August 19, Episode 4 on August 26, Episode 5 on September 2, Episode 6 on September 9, Episode 7 on September 16, Episode 8 on September 23, Episode 9 on September 30, and Episode 10 wrapping up the season on October 7. As Parade reports, this consistent weekly cadence has given fans plenty of time to savor each match, analyze every twist, and speculate about the Lady Greyhounds’ fate.
The arrival of the women’s team is more than just a plot twist—it’s a statement. HollywoodLife points out that Ted Lasso’s fourth season marks a significant shift in the show’s focus, reflecting the growing popularity and visibility of women’s sports. The Lady Greyhounds are depicted as talented, complex, and fiercely competitive, challenging old stereotypes and inviting new audiences to believe in their journey. As one HollywoodLife piece put it, "Sorry boys, but we’re here for the girls of Ted Lasso."
The core of the show remains its signature optimism and resilience. Jason Sudeikis, who also serves as an executive producer, reflected to The Hollywood Reporter on the joy of playing a character who chooses to see the best in people. "It is infectious to play a character who sees the best in people and isn’t mad at the world for all its foibles and bullies and shadows," he said. This spirit infuses every scene, whether it’s Ted’s awkward attempts to bond with Coach Alice or the Lady Greyhounds fighting for respect on the pitch.
Of course, not every familiar face has returned for Season 4. Several original cast members, including Phil Dunster, Nich Mohammed, James Lance, and Cristo Fernández, are absent this year. The absence of Anthony Head, who died earlier in 2026, is especially poignant for long-time fans. Still, the show’s creative team has worked to honor the past while embracing new directions and challenges.
As for the future, the question of a fifth season hangs in the air. As of August 11, 2026, Apple TV has not confirmed another installment, though optimism remains high. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sudeikis and the creative team are prepared to return to the writers’ room later this month, hoping that strong viewership and critical acclaim will ensure the story continues. Sudeikis himself has always envisioned the show in three-season arcs, but he’s expressed hope that the audience’s appetite for Ted’s brand of positivity and humor endures.
For now, fans can tune in on Apple TV each Wednesday, cheering on the Lady Greyhounds as they chase glory—and maybe even a little redemption—under the most unlikely of coaches. Whether you’re in it for the football, the laughs, or the heartfelt moments, Ted Lasso’s latest season promises something for everyone, all wrapped up in the show’s signature blend of wit, warmth, and unwavering belief.