Jason Sudeikis explains personal calls to former Ted Lasso cast as series shifts to new direction

Jason Sudeikis told The Hollywood Reporter that he called each former cast member individually to explain that the original AFC Richmond team will not appear in the upcoming fourth season of Ted Lasso. He said he chose phone calls "because I didn’t want them to hear it on the internet" and because of his personal connection with the actors.

The new season, set to premiere on August 5, will follow Ted Lasso as he coaches a second-division women’s football team, marking a shift from the series’ earlier focus on a men’s club. Lead actors Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple and Brett Goldstein are confirmed to return, while the status of several supporting actors remains uncertain.

Phil Dunster, who played Jamie Tartt, will be absent due to scheduling conflicts with another series, and the role of Henry, Ted’s son, has been recast with Grant Feely. Potential guest appearances have not been ruled out.

"Because I didn’t want them to hear it on the internet," Sudeikis said, adding that he wanted to handle the news personally out of respect for the former teammates.