Why Ted Lasso hits different in 2026

Ted Lasso returned this week. I’m waiting for the finale before reviewing, because while the first season of Ted Lasso is nearly perfect, the third season proved you have to wait to see how it all ends before rendering final judgment. The third season of Ted Lasso, at the time assumed to be the final season, isn’t as disastrous as, say, Game of Thrones’ final season, which wholly annihilated the goodwill and respect the series built up over a decade, but it was unsatisfying enough to spoil the show’s footprint.

Which might be why season four is hitting different. People don’t seem as stoked, even though reviews remain high. My short, initial review is: it hits different in 2026. As bad as things were in 2020, Ted Lasso, with his folksy optimism disguising his shrewdness and perceptive leadership, was just what we needed in that moment. There was always a darker underpinning, but the first season of the series was a perfect balance of drama to keep the narrative moving and feel-good vibes.

Season four, is, well…not overcoming Jason Sudeikis’s image makeover courtesy his divorce and behavior towards Olivia Wilde (and their nanny). Season three also threw some beloved characters so far off course, it will take a LOT to course correct in season four (chiefly: Keeley and Roy). I just want to see how much of that season one magic the new season can capture, though, before rendering my final verdict.

The cast—minus Brett Goldstein, who is so booked and busy these days—were at the Paley Center last night to mark the show’s return. Sudeikis was there—dressing for an entirely different event than everyone else—along with Juno Temple and Brendan Hunt, and they were joined by season four stars Tanya Reynolds, Abbie Hern, Faye Marsay, Jude Mack, and Maureen J. Reidy. Megan Rapinoe was also there, repping real world women’s soccer.

Juno’s outfit is a lot but I can handle it. What I cannot handle is the no eyebrow look. Can this trend please be over. It only works in editorial photoshoots and haute couture runways. Anywhere else and it looks like someone burned their brows off in the kitchen.

What else happened today…

Speaking of feel good sports stories! Kiana Blanton lost most of her eyesight due to complications from sarcoidosis, and now she’s a medalist in the sport of blind baseball. One reason I love baseball and softball is the community it supports. Baseball, and softball, is highly adaptable (like basketball). There’s a wheelchair softball league in Chicago that is super fun. Kiana’s story are the real Ted Lasso vibes we can take into the weekend. (Popsguar)

This is not an endorsement of cults, but I absolutely would join Isabella Rossellini’s cult. (Go Fug Yourself)

James Haven, Angelina Jolie’s brother, has come out at gay at 53. As Captain Holt said, “Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, and more interesting place.” People will probably make it gross because thirty years ago Angie and James flirted for cameras, playing up Angie’s bad girl image at the time. Or we can, you know, let people grow up. I’m glad that James Haven is living his most authentic life now. (Celebitchy)

Here is the Heated Rivalry casting announcement we have been waiting for: Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie have been announced as another secret gay hockey couple, Harris Drover and Troy Barrett. Smith will play Harris, and Gillespie, who currently stars in One Night Only and we will not hold that against him because everyone needs work in a capitalist society, stars as Barrett.

I won’t lie, I can shift my book-to-screen expectation for Justice Smith a lot easier than I can for Charlie Gillespie. Harris, in the books, is somewhat vaguely described as “stocky” and reminds Barrett of a “lumberjack”. He’s described vaguely enough that there is an ongoing fandom war over whether or not Harris should be depicted as plus-sized and ugly, or as just like, an average cute guy who isn’t shredded like the professional jocks he works with (he is the social media manager for the Ottawa hockey team). But because Harris’s description IS relatively vague, I find it easy to slot whoever into playing him. Most important for Harris is that he is a ray of sunshine, and not unlike Kip Grady in season one, he is a normal counterpart for the rich athletes surrounding him.

Troy Barrett, on the other hand, is the second coming of Shane Hollander, looks-wise. He’s described as looking like a boy-bander and is supposed to be one of the hottest guys in the league, considered hotter than Ilya by many (but not hotter than Shane). Charlie Gillespie is cute. He is very cute. He has a cute little smile. I’m sure they’ll style him up for the show, too. I am just already struggling with the book concept that Harris is surprised Troy is attracted to “someone like him”. I am now hoping Jacob Tierney drops that narrative thread, because I just cannot picture Justice Smith in any incarnation worrying about anyone finding him attractive.

Their relationship isn’t really about that, anyway. It’s about empathy, second chances, and letting people love you even when you feel unlovable. THAT is what I most look forward to seeing in Harris and Troy. Not everyone needs to be Hollanov, constantly crashing out with their beautiful but co-dependent relationship. Troy and Harris don’t grow up together, like Shane and Ilya. They grow into one another, as fully formed adults trying to make space for love and acceptance in a world that discourages both.

Now, who is playing that rat bastard Roger Crowell? Give us a great villain, Jacob Tierney! (The Hollywood Reporter)