Actor Jason Sudeikis has addressed speculation that season three of the Apple TV+ hit show “Ted Lasso” could be its last. While the show’s creative team has spoken about their desire to wrap it up after three seasons, there has been no word yet on whether the series finale, which was released on 31 May, marks the end of the show. Sudeikis said that it was the end of the story that they “wanted to tell, that we were hoping to tell, that we loved to tell”. He added: “Maybe once all episodes of the season [have been released], they’re like, ‘Man, you know what, we get it, we’re fine. We don’t need anymore, we got it.’ But until that time comes, I will appreciate the curiosity beyond what we’ve come up with so far”.
Sudeikis, who plays the show’s titular character, is open to the idea of spin-off shows featuring other characters from the series being developed by co-creators Bill Lawrence, Joe Kelly, and Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard. “Yeah, I think that we’ve set the table for all sorts of folks…to get to watch the further telling of these stories,” he said.
The show’s popularity, which has earned it 20 Emmy nominations, has led to discussions about the possibility of a spin-off. However, Sudeikis was keen to emphasize that he regarded the idea as a “flattering” recognition of the work of the show’s writers, directors and actors.
Despite its popularity, “Ted Lasso” has faced criticism from some quarters for presenting an overly sentimental view of the world. However, the show’s fans say that it has brought light-hearted relief at a difficult time and showed that TV can still be used to spread positivity and kindness – something that has been especially important during the pandemic.
The show follows the journey of a former American Football coach who is hired to manage a struggling British football team. Critics have praised the show as a well-written and well-acted comedy that manages to blend sports and comedy in a refreshing way.
“Ted Lasso” has been a major success for Apple TV+, which has struggled to compete with its much larger rivals Netflix and Amazon Prime. The series has helped to establish the new streamer as a serious player in the crowded TV market.
The show has, however, been criticised for perpetuating stereotypes about British culture, with some accusing it of providing a cloying and unrealistic portrayal of the country. Others have also pointed out that the show’s premise – an American teaching the Brits how to play football – is somewhat condescending.
“Ted Lasso” has been praised for its positive portrayal of masculinity and mental health, two topics that have historically been largely ignored or mishandled by TV and film. The show has been credited with helping to change the way that men talk about their feelings and has inspired others to explore similar themes in their work.
In addition to Sudeikis, the show stars Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Phil Dunster, Nick Mohammed, and Sarah Niles. The show was created by Sudeikis, Lawrence, Hunt and Kelly.
