Ted Lasso Season 4 Review: The Lady Greyhounds Push Apple TV's Hit Show Into A Much-Needed New Direction

After three long years, Ted Lasso is back for season 4, and with it comes a new set of challenges for AFC Richmond in what feels like a soft, yet justifiable, reboot for the sports-comedy. Ted Lasso season 3's ending could have easily served as a series finale. In many ways, it still does, as it ended an important chapter of the show, with Jason Sudeikis' Ted saying goodbye to AFC Richmond and his time as the head coach.

Following Ted's return to Kansas City, the club seemingly had a bright future ahead, with a tease that a women's team could come into the fold. However, it took nearly two years after "So Long, Farewell" for Apple TV to officially announce Ted Lasso season 4 was indeed happening. The decision should be a surprise to no one, considering Ted Lasso has been considered one of Apple TV's best shows since it debuted in 2020.

Interestingly, Ted Lasso season 3 is considered the show's weakest installment. This puts an added layer of pressure on the show's return since all eyes will be on whether it can match the quality of the well-received first two seasons. Using the seed planted in season 3's conclusion, Ted Lasso season 4 switches focus to AFC Richmond's Lady Greyhounds women's team, pushing the series into some uncharted territory.

With the gap between seasons, there will undoubtedly be some who question why Apple TV didn't move on from the series. On the flip side, the first five episodes, which this review is based on, prove that the wait was beneficial for the show's return. Enough time has passed to miss these lovable characters, but on the other hand, it's still relevant enough to allow viewers to jump right back into the story without missing a beat. Still ripe with familiar Ted Lasso humor, the Lady Greyhounds being in the spotlight allows the show to usher in an intriguing new era.

Ted Lasso's Titular Character Takes A Small Step Back In Season 4

It's very difficult to imagine Ted Lasso continuing without, well...Ted Lasso. Granted, season 3's finale almost seemed to set up potential spinoffs that wouldn't rely on Sudeikis coming back as the central figure. In the end, Sudeikis did return to his roles in front of and behind the camera for season 4. With him came other core figures of the Ted Lasso cast, including Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton), Juno Temple (Keeley Jones), Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent), Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard), and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins).

With that, it felt like Apple TV was sending a message that Ted Lasso couldn't go on in any form without Sudeikis. That translates into season 4, with Rebecca, Keeley, and Higgins immediately turning to Ted to take on the head coaching gig for the Lady Greyhounds. It's taken three years to get the women's team fully off the ground, and in that time, Ted has settled back into traditional dad mode, leaving professional sports behind. Though it takes some convincing, Ted makes his way back to the UK, but this time, he has family in tow.

While Ted's decision to return might be the final puzzle piece to fully get the women's team off the ground, it quickly becomes clear throughout the first half of the season that Ted isn't the make-or-break aspect behind the Lady Greyhounds. Ted Lasso might be the lynchpin for the team and the show as a whole, but the character takes a small but necessary step back from the spotlight in season 4, at least in the first five episodes.

That's not to say that Ted is underused or pushed to the background; instead, Ted's latest journey reiterates just how much the character learned from his first stint with the organization, not just as a coach, but on a personal level, as well. Rather than limit Ted to solo struggles in his personal life, his season 4 challenges pave the way for larger themes experienced by other characters in unique ways. Centering on AFC Richmond's new team also gives Ted Lasso the chance to lean into areas of the sport that the first three seasons never explored, all while showing that change can be good for the series.

AFC Richmond's New Women's Team Gives Ted Lasso The Soft Reboot The Show Needed

Once Ted became comfortable in his role with AFC Richmond, the series could no longer rely on the "fish out of water" shtick. With any show or movie set in the sports world, there's always a risk of falling into clichés, like the lovable underdog or winning the franchise-altering big game. Throughout the first three seasons of Ted Lasso, AFC Richmond experienced their fair share of ups and downs, but really, what more could the show do with the team that it didn't already do?

Focusing on the Lady Greyhounds, however, gives Ted Lasso a fresh slate of sorts. Not only is this a new endeavor for Rebecca, Keeley, and the entire AFC Richmond organization, but it's also a brand-new club with new coaches, players, and team dynamics; all of which result in a soft reboot for the show that was much-needed if the series wanted to evolve. Looking at where everyone was the last time we saw them, embarking on this new chapter instantly feels like the most fulfilling way to continue Ted Lasso without making the series go stale.

Despite being a comedy, Ted Lasso has also never shied away from serious subject matter. For example, the show's deep dive into mental health has been a point of praise. With season 4, the series never passes up a chance to show the disadvantages women face compared to men when it comes to the sport of football. That said, the challenges Rebecca, Keeley, and the Lady Greyhounds face don't come across as preachy. If anything, it sheds an important light on the real-life challenges that women often experience in the sport.

From the start, Rebecca and Keeley are constantly reminded that launching a second division women's team could lead to financial disaster. But beyond the financial risks, it's interesting to see how the locals perceive the new team, causing a split in the existing AFC Richmond fanbase. Though those involved with the team find themselves in humorous situations while navigating the new adventure that is the Lady Greyhounds, Ted Lasso has a few significant messages to share about the state of women's football.

A Balanced Cast Is Key To Ted Lasso Season 4 (& Beyond)

Having only seen the first half of Ted Lasso season 4, the newest chapter of the award-winning comedy has already shown a good balance between familiar elements and new aspects, especially when it comes to the cast. It's exciting to see Ted reunite with his old Richmond pals, while also being able to have Henry around this time. Keeley and Rebecca get more time to shine this season as the driving force behind the Lady Greyhounds, though it sometimes adds a complicated ripple into their friendship.

Keeley's role with the Lady Greyhounds also gives Ted Lasso season 4 a way to incorporate the possible reunion between Temple's character and Roy, who is still the head coach of the men's team. A few years may have passed, but the Keeley and Roy relationship subplot should be seen as a given at this point of the show. In fact, it's even more entertaining to see them interact as they continue to navigate what their future holds, even if neither will fully admit they are ready to get back together.

Then there's the new cast comprising the Lady Greyhounds. Tanya Reynolds joins Ted Lasso season 4 as Alice Chilton, a member of the coaching staff whose personality is comically the polar opposite of Ted's. There's also a slew of other new faces that will portray the players. There may even be some clever connections to past characters. What's more, Ted Lasso season 4 will feature a few fun cameos that fans will likely welcome, but rest assured knowing that these guests don't overwhelm the story.

Season 4 might be focused on a new team, but it carries the same Ted Lasso charm viewers have grown to love. The story of AFC Richmond and the Lady Greyhounds surely won't have a satisfying finish with just one season, leaving hope that the series has plans to keep growing this new era of Ted Lasso. If that's the case, the series will have plenty of time to master the character balancing, embracing the originals, expanding on the newcomers, and sprinkling in some fun guest stars along the way.

Ted Lasso season 4 premieres August 5, 2026, on Apple TV, with new episodes released weekly through October 7.