Going into Ted Lasso Season 4, I wasn't entirely convinced it needed to exist. Season 3 wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying, and bringing Ted back to Richmond always seemed like it risked undoing a genuine ending. Thankfully, the new season avoids that trap for the most part by taking the series in a fresh direction instead of simply trying to recreate the magic of the past.
Shifting the focus to AFC Richmond's new women's team turns out to be a smart move. It gives Ted another group of underdogs to inspire while allowing the show to tell new stories rather than rehashing old ones. It still feels unmistakably like Ted Lasso, full of warmth, optimism and those little moments that remind you why these characters became so beloved in the first place.
Jason Sudeikis slips back into the role like he never left. Ted is still endlessly positive, awkwardly funny and impossible not to root for, even if the emotional punch isn't quite as strong this time around. Hannah Waddingham is once again one of the season's biggest highlights. Rebecca continues to be one of television's best characters, and seeing her throw herself into building Richmond's women's side is easily one of the most enjoyable parts of the season.
Not everything works, though. One thing the show desperately needs to do is return to the tighter episode lengths that made the first couple of seasons so easy to enjoy. A few episodes overstay their welcome, with scenes that could have been trimmed without losing anything important. Ted Lasso has always been at its best when it keeps things moving, balancing laughs, heartfelt moments and football without dragging its feet.
Then there's Rebecca's dutch boyfriend, Matthijs. I tried to warm to that storyline, but it just never clicked for me. Every time it popped up, I found myself wanting to get back to literally anything happening at Richmond instead. Rebecca has grown into one of the strongest and most compelling characters on television over the past four seasons, and this relationship feels like it's holding her back more than helping her move forward.
The rest of the cast continue to deliver exactly what you'd expect. Roy Kent is still hilariously grumpy, Coach Beard remains delightfully unpredictable, Keeley brings her usual energy and Higgins is as lovable as ever. The new players on the women's team also fit into the world surprisingly well, adding enough fresh personalities to keep things from feeling like a victory lap.
Season 4 isn't trying to outdo Season 1, and that's for the best. Instead, it feels like the beginning of a new chapter. Some storylines land better than others, and there are definitely moments where the pacing could use some tightening, but there's still plenty of charm, humour and heart to keep longtime fans invested.
Is it the comeback nobody asked for that somehow works? I'd say yes... mostly. It's not the show's strongest season, and there are a few creative decisions that don't quite pay off, but it's also nowhere near the misfire some people feared. If the writers tighten the episodes and keep leaning into the women's team dynamic, there's every chance Ted Lasso can keep proving there's still life left in Richmond.
New episodes of Ted Lasso air Wednesdays on AppleTV+.
