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Jason Sudeikis explains Ted Lasso u-turn after saying 'the story is done'

As Ted Lasso fans count down until Wednesday's return, Jason Sudeikis has explained why he decided the show should return after ruling out a comeback two years ago

[Jason Sudeikis ]

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Jason Sudeikis had a sudden change of heart about filming more Ted Lasso(Image: Chris Chew/UPI/Shutterstock)

Jason Sudeikis says he just couldn't blow the full-time whistle on Ted Lasso - despite previously saying the much-loved coach's story had now been told.

The AFC Richmond boss performed a u-turn to sign up to produce series four, which premieres on Apple TV on Wednesday. It is the moment many Greyhounds fans thought they would never see after lead man Jason said season three was the perfect ending as Ted returned home to the States to be with his wife and young son.

"This story is done," he said two years ago on the Fly On The Wall podcast, dismissing the idea of more Ted Lasso. "It sounds like such a political answer, but it's the truth. We only conceived these three series."

But the world had fallen in love with the enduring optimism and upbeat attitude of its Midwestern American football coach, and the 50-year-old agreed to return to England with a fresh steer as the new series focuses on the trials and tribulations of the club's womens' team.

[Hannah Waddingham]

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Hannah Waddingham explained that she'd shared her ideas for the show beyond season and planned to 'trap' him(Image: FilmMagic)

Hannah Waddingham returns as Rebecca Welton and she isn't the only big name coming back. Brendan Hunt puts Coach Beard's cap back on with, Brett Goldstein - grumpy former player-turned-assistant coach Roy Kent - is back, with Juno Temple returning as Keeley Jones.

Joining the cast are Tanya Reynolds as Alice Chilton, a member of the coaching staff brought in to help lead the clubs new womens team, alongside Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Aisling Sharkey and Abbie Hern, who play members of the squad.

Jason, who also co-created the show, says he felt compelled to return because he couldnt shake his enthusiasm for the story.

It was really about kicking the tyres and seeing whether the enthusiasm I was feeling bubbling inside me was rippling out to everyone else, said the star, fresh from an appearance at the FIFA World Cup final half-time show in New Jersey.

[Jason Sudeikis ]

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The fans got their way - and series four starts this week(Image: Handout)

Even then, though, you still have to deal with a healthy amount of self-doubt and the concern of going back to the well. You have to answer those questions internally: Why now? Why do this again?

But yeah, once everyone says yes, you just dont want to let anybody down. So off we went.

The series became an instant success, earning the most Emmy nominations ever received by a first-season comedy.

Despite a three-year break since the last series, Jason says the timing of the shows return proved to be a happy coincidence, with the cast appearing during this years FIFA World Cup final half-time show ahead of the new seasons release.

[Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt]

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Jason and Brendan Hunt have addressed the comeback (Image: Getty Images)

Its been in the works for a long time, he says. We knew it was incredibly fortuitous that wed have this amazing opening act, commercially speaking, with the mens World Cup happening before our show launched.

Jason and co-creator Brendan, 54, also became converts to the womens game while filming season three in London during UEFA Womens Euro 2022.

We were fortunate enough to be in London when the Lionesses won the tournament, he recalls. The whole country was celebrating, so it was incredibly exciting. Then we got to meet some of the players and became friendly with them, which was a great experience.

I hope that people who didnt know much about soccer, or didnt really understand it, care about it, or were simply curious, found their way into the game, he says.

[Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt]

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The pair have again co-produced the hit show, which returns on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)

The anecdotal evidence weve been hearing is that people have embraced the mens game, and hopefully, through this season, the womens game as well.

Brendan says series four not only celebrates the womens game but also explores the realities that come with it: disparities in resources and media coverage, the demands placed on players balancing careers and personal lives, and the resilience required to succeed in a system still finding its footing.

Were not trying to be preachy, he said, but we wanted to present the real world these characters inhabit and let that reality speak for itself, just like weve always tried to do.

Were all in this together. More than anything, especially at a time when were so separated and having these bespoke, algorithm-driven experiences that are designed to feel as though theyre just for us, its easy to think we dont need other people.

But we do. So get out there and meet people. Be curious about them, not judgmental. I could run through all the shows catchphrases, I guess, but Ill stop with that one.

Stay curious, not judgmental. And dont do it by yourself.

Ted Lasso series four premieres on Apple TV on Wednesday August 5

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