'Ted Lasso' Season 4 Review: A Winning Return That Still Believes Kindness Can Change the Game
- 24 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - August 22, 2026
TV - Premium TV
Television success stories as complete as Ted Lasso are surprisingly rare. What began as a light-hearted football comedy quickly evolved into one of the defining series of the last decade, winning multiple Emmy Awards, creating one of television's most beloved characters, and reminding audiences that optimism could be just as compelling as cynicism. After what many believed was a perfect ending in season three, the announcement of a fourth season inevitably divided fans. Some questioned whether the story had already reached its natural conclusion, while others simply couldn't wait to spend more time with AFC Richmond. Fortunately, season four proves there's still life left in this remarkable series, even if it occasionally has to work harder to justify its return.
Season 4 finds AFC Richmond entering a new chapter, with fresh challenges both on and off the pitch testing the club's sense of identity. After a few years have passed, Ted is recruited back from the states to coach the AFC Richmond women's football team. Across ten episodes, the new season explores ambition, resilience, feminism, and the importance of community, with a real insight into women's football.
As a female critic, football fan and TV enthusiast, it's particularly satisfying to see the women of Ted Lasso continue to receive meaningful storylines rather than existing simply to support the male characters. Rebecca remains one of television's most compelling leaders. Hannah Waddingham balances strength, humour and vulnerability with remarkable ease, continuing to prove why Rebecca became such an audience favourite.
Keeley's journey also feels refreshingly authentic. Instead of reducing her to comic relief or romantic subplots, the series continues exploring her ambitions, insecurities and professional identity. Juno Temple brings warmth and intelligence to every scene, reminding viewers that kindness and competence are never mutually exclusive. Perhaps most encouraging is that the women are allowed to disagree, fail, succeed and change without the series judging them. They aren't written as ideals; they're written as people. That's something television still doesn't do often enough.
Jason Sudeikis once again delivers a wonderfully understated performance as Ted. It would have been easy for the character to become a caricature after three seasons of folksy wisdom and endless positivity, but Sudeikis continues to find quieter, more vulnerable moments beneath the moustache.
This is a series where we are watching for the beloved characters. The chemistry between the returning ensemble remains one of the show's greatest weapons. Brett Goldstein continues delivering Roy Kent's gravelly one-liners with impeccable comic timing, while Brendan Hunt's Coach Beard remains gloriously unpredictable. Jeremy Swift, Nick Mohammed and the wider Richmond squad slip back into their roles as though they never left.
Is Ted Lasson season 4 perfect? No. Americans are still heavily caricatured (even if it is hilarious to us Brits), and sometimes it feels aware of its own legacy. There are moments where familiar emotional beats and callbacks appear designed to remind audiences why they fell in love with the series in the first place. They're enjoyable, but a handful feel slightly too nostalgic, as though the writers occasionally look backwards instead of confidently moving forwards. There’s a nod to the pageant of American games, the songs, fireworks, performances, but so soon after the World Cup 2026, British audiences have shown how much we respect the game over the spectacle.
Season four may not completely eclipse the emotional heights of its predecessors, but it doesn't need to. It continues telling thoughtful stories with wit, heart and generosity, while giving its outstanding female characters the space to lead, challenge and inspire alongside everyone else.
For those who feared this return might tarnish the show's legacy, there's little to worry about. AFC Richmond still has plenty left in the tank, and thankfully, so does Ted Lasso.
'Ted Lasso' Season 4 episodes are available to watch with an Apple TV subscription.
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