Believe it or not, the world’s favorite mustache almost didn't happen. Well, at least not the version we cry over today. If you’ve spent any time on the internet in the last few years, you’ve seen the "Believe" posters and the discourse about "toxic positivity." But the journey from a goofy NBC Sports commercial to a multi-Emmy-winning powerhouse is way weirder than just a guy in a tracksuit.
Honestly, when Jason Sudeikis first donned the aviators in 2013, the character was kind of a jerk.
He was a "typical" loud American. A caricature. He was basically a version of the "Bobby Knight" screaming coach Sudeikis had already played on Saturday Night Live. It worked for a two-minute sketch about the Premier League, but it would have been unwatchable for 34 episodes. It wasn't until Sudeikis sat down with Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard) and Joe Kelly in 2015 that they realized the "secret sauce" wasn't the ignorance—it was the curiosity.
Why Jason Sudeikis and Ted Lasso Changed Everything
The magic of this show didn't come from a boardroom. It came from a series of late-night FIFA sessions and a very specific philosophy. Sudeikis has been vocal about how he wanted to make a show that didn't use snark as its primary currency. Think about that for a second. Most modern comedies rely on people being mean to each other. Ted Lasso? He’s the opposite. He’s "dumb like a fox."
But here is the thing: Sudeikis didn't just wake up one day and decide to be the nicest man on television. The character is a Frankenstein’s monster of real-world inspirations.
- Donnie Campbell: This was Sudeikis' actual high school basketball coach from Shawnee Mission West. Campbell was the guy who used those weird midwestern aphorisms. You know, the ones like, "You look more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."
- John Wooden: Sudeikis is obsessed with the legendary UCLA coach. He even used Wooden’s "Pyramid of Success" in his early improv days. That's why you see it hanging in Ted’s office at Richmond.
- His Father: The mustache and the "loquacious" nature? That's all Daniel Joseph Sudeikis.
It's a weirdly personal project. Sudeikis has often said he considers himself a writer first and an actor second. That’s why the show feels so tight. He wasn't just showing up to hit his marks; he was building a world where the female lead—Rebecca Welton—actually gets the opening shot of the entire series, not him. He fought for that. He wanted an ensemble, not a "Jason Sudeikis vehicle."
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The Bill Lawrence Factor
You can't talk about the show's success without mentioning Bill Lawrence. The guy who gave us Scrubs and Spin City brought the "pathos." When Lawrence and Sudeikis started playing pickup basketball together in 2017, the idea for the show finally clicked. Lawrence knew how to make a half-hour comedy feel like a movie. He pushed for the "emotional undercurrent" that makes you sob while someone is also making a joke about tea tasting like "hot brown water."
But there was a shift later on. By Season 3, Sudeikis took a much heavier lead in the writers' room. Some fans felt the episodes got too long—stretching into 60-minute territories—while others loved the deeper dive into mental health and trauma. It’s a polarizing change, but it was Sudeikis’ vision through and through.
The Return to Richmond: What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Everyone thought it was over. The Season 3 finale felt like a goodbye. Ted went home to Kansas. The story was "done."
Except it wasn't.
As of early 2026, Ted Lasso Season 4 is officially in production.
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Warner Bros. TV chair Channing Dungey recently hinted that we’re looking at a mid-2026 release window, likely aiming for Q2 or Q3. The production team headed back to the UK in mid-2025 to start filming. But don't expect the exact same lineup. While Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca), Brett Goldstein (Roy), and Jeremy Swift (Higgins) have had their contract options picked up, some faces are missing.
Phil Dunster, who played the legendary Jamie Tartt, reportedly won't be a series regular this time around due to scheduling conflicts. That’s a gut punch for fans who loved his character arc. However, the show is pivots. The big rumor—and it's a strong one—is that Season 4 will heavily focus on the formation of an AFC Richmond Women’s Team.
New cast members like Tanya Reynolds and Faye Marsay are reportedly joining the squad. It makes sense. The end of Season 3 teased it, and it gives the show a reason to exist without just repeating the "relegation/promotion" cycle of the first three years.
How Ted Lasso Taught Us to "Believe" (For Real)
The reason we’re still talking about Jason Sudeikis and his fictional coach in 2026 isn't just because of the jokes. It’s the "E-E-A-T" of it all—the experience and expertise of the creators in understanding human psychology.
The show tackled things most sitcoms won't touch. Panic attacks. Divorce. The trauma of losing a parent to suicide. Sudeikis used his own life as a blueprint. He wasn't afraid to let Ted be "broken." That’s why the "Believe" sign means something. It’s not just a cheesy sports trope; it’s a survival mechanism.
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People often misunderstand the show as being purely "happy." It’s actually pretty dark if you pay attention. Ted is a man who uses optimism as a shield because the alternative is too painful to bear. That nuance is what makes it "human-quality" writing.
Actionable Insights for the Ted Lasso Fan
If you're waiting for the new season or just want to capture some of that Richmond energy, here is what you should actually do:
- Re-watch the NBC Sports Promos: Go back to 2013 and 2014 on YouTube. It’s wild to see how much of the "DNA" was there (the offside rule explanation, the "how many countries are in this country?" joke) but how different the vibe was.
- Study the "Pyramid of Success": If you want to understand Ted’s brain, look up John Wooden’s philosophy. It’s not about winning games; it’s about "peace of mind."
- Watch the "New Heights" Podcast Episode: Jason Sudeikis went on Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast recently and dropped a lot of the "official word" on Season 4. It’s the most candid he’s been about the creative process in years.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 World Cup: Rumors suggest Apple TV+ wants to time the Season 4 premiere with the World Cup in North America. It’s the ultimate marketing synergy.
The "Richmond Way" isn't about the score on the board. It's about the work you do when nobody is watching. Whether Ted is in London or back in Kansas coaching his son, the impact Sudeikis made with this character is permanent.
We don't need another show about a perfect hero. We need more shows about people who are trying their best and failing, but choosing to be curious instead of judgmental. That’s the legacy of the mustache. And in 2026, it looks like we’re finally getting to see what happens next.