Ted Lasso: The True Story Behind the Apple TV+ Cult Series

Ted lasso never existed as a real person. The famous coach with the blue sweatshirt and mustache was born in 2013, in a series of commercials for NBC. From there he became one of the most beloved characters on modern television, with the fourth season arriving on Apple TV + on 5 August 2026.

This is the true story behind the series: how it came to be, who created it, and why an advertising character became an 11-time Emmy-winning global phenomenon.

The character born for advertising

It all started in 2013. The NBC had just bought the television rights of the Premier League and wanted to promote them in America. The idea of Jason Sudeikis It was simple and brilliant: an American football coach, totally unprepared, hired to coach an English football team.

The character appeared in a series of commercials shot in London, with Sudeikis himself playing a Ted Lasso who knew nothing about football but was full of enthusiasm and motivational quotes. The gag worked, and the character remained in the closet for years.

From advertising to series

The idea to turn the sketch into a series came when Sudeikis started working on it with Brendan Hunt e Joe Kelly, the same authors of the commercials. They were joined by Bill Lawrencecreator of Scrubs, and the project found a home on Apple TV +.

The first season premiered on August 14, 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. The story of an optimistic man trying to build a team and a community came at just the right time: the series became a global sensation.

Success: 11 Emmys and a global phenomenon

In three seasons Ted lasso wins 11 awards Emmy, including two wins for Best Comedy Series. Award-winning actors include Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham e Brett goldstein.

The sign with the writing Believe hanging in the locker room and Rebecca's butter biscuits become pop symbols, quoted and imitated all over the world.

Season 3 was supposed to be the end

The third season, which arrived in 2023, was written as a conclusion to the story. Brett Goldstein himself has said that the project was conceived as a trilogy, and for a long time the ending seemed definitive.

Then, in 2024, the news that changed everything: according to Deadline, Apple TV+ was working to bring back the original cast, with new deals after the SAG-AFTRA contracts expired. Production on the fourth season began in July 2025.

The return with season 4

The fourth season is not a simple continuation: Ted returns to Richmond to coach the new women's team, the Lady Greyhounds, and the story opens up to issues such as unequal treatment in women's football.

A reinvention that, in the authors' intentions, aims to maintain the original spirit: growth, optimism, and the belief that people can always change.

FAQ

Is Ted Lasso based on a real person? No, the character was born as an invention for the 2013 NBC commercials, played by Jason Sudeikis.

Who created Ted Lasso? Jason Sudeikis with Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly, along with Bill Lawrence for the TV series.

How many Emmys has Ted Lasso won? In three seasons, the series won 11 Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Comedy Series.

When does season 4 come out? The fourth season was released on August 5, 2026, on Apple TV+, with one episode released per week.