Apple TV’s Ted Lasso ended its fourth season with major changes at AFC Richmond, leaving several characters with uncertain futures within the show. In report by Deadline, the show’s co-creator Brendan Hunt (Horrible Bosses 2, We’re The Millers) discussed the finale’s biggest developments and what they could mean for a potential fifth season.
The 56-minute finale followed an eventful penultimate episode that revealed Mae’s death, Keeley’s pregnancy and Zelda’s betrayal. The final episode included a memorial for Mae, with Niamh and Siobhan performing a song in her honor.
Deadline notes of the biggest changes involved Roy Kent, played by Brett Goldstein (Shrinking, SuperBob), who resigned as manager of AFC Richmond’s men’s team to take charge of Chelsea, his former club. The move raised questions about Goldstein’s future on the series, particularly as he prepares for his upcoming Amazon comedy Escorted.
Meanwhile, Alice Chilton, played by Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education, Emma), was promoted to head coach of Richmond’s women’s team. The decision came after Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live, Horrible Bosses), recommended her for the position.
The finale also resolved the ongoing ownership dispute surrounding AFC Richmond. Hugo switched sides and secured the Milk sisters’ shares for Rebecca, played by Hannah Waddingham (Game of Thrones, The Fall Guy). Combined with the two percent stake Mae left Rebecca in her will, the deal gave her a controlling 51 percent ownership of the club.
Speaking with Deadline, Hunt explained that the finale’s appearances by Richmond’s original male players were intended as a passing-of-the-torch moment to the women’s team. He suggested that these appearances could be the last for several familiar characters, although no final casting decisions were confirmed in the supplied report.
Hunt also addressed questions about Goldstein and Juno Temple (Fargo, Atonement), whose character Keeley has reunited with Roy, claiming “We don’t know if we’re coming back, and when we come back, we don’t know what’s going to be going on in their lives.”
He also answered questions about whether Tracey Ullman (The Tracey Ullman Show, Into the Woods) could return as Zelda. Hunt told Deadline, “Hopefully we get the chance to have her come over for some more.”
While the finale established a new direction for AFC Richmond, a fifth season has not been officially confirmed in the supplied report. For now, the women’s team appears positioned to take center stage as Ted Lasso moves toward a possible next chapter.