Ted Lasso season 5: everything we know so far
Ted Lasso Season 4 has stormed Apple TV, and fans are already clamouring for Season 5 details—so what’s actually on the cards?
Let’s be honest, nobody expected Ted Lasso to survive a not-quite-stellar third run, let alone roar back to the top of Apple TV’s comedy pile in 2026. Yet here we are, with the show’s fourth series pulling in the numbers and quietly reminding everyone why it got all that fuss in the first place. You’d think by now we’d already have word about a fifth chapter, but as of the end of September, things are oddly up in the air.
Ted Lasso Season 4 landed on 5 August 2026 and has kept a firm grip on Apple TV’s comedy charts ever since.
Renewal limbo, strong ratings
Here’s the part that’ll have regular fans checking their phones – Apple TV still hasn’t said yes to Ted Lasso Season 5. It’s not for lack of success. Even after a bit of a wobble with the new cast early on, the fourth season’s proved to be a major hit, clocking in at an 89% Tomatometer and generally being met with a fair deal more warmth than its predecessor. For all the hand-wringing over Season 3’s divisive finale, Season 4 is tracking ahead in terms of both ratings and conversation.
Despite the lack of a green light, behind-the-scenes work has – unofficially – kicked off. Back in July, Jason Sudeikis and several cast members let slip to The Hollywood Reporter that the writers’ room was expecting to regroup for story sessions by late August, working on a rough plan for a fifth outing. There’s still no commission from Apple, but the wheels are clearly turning.
In a July chat with The Hollywood Reporter, the outlook was: If everything lines up, Ted Lasso's team is meant to be back plotting a not-yet-ordered fifth season by the end of August, with Jason Sudeikis once again eyeing a three-season narrative run.
On the rumour front, Sigmund Judge – who’s nailed Lasso predictions before – reckoned filming might start in January 2027. That’s not gospel, mind, and with Apple TV keeping its cards close, take it as well-informed guesswork rather than a straight promise.
World Cup timing and possible storylines
The big open question is what they’d even do with Season 5, especially without formal pickup. There’s been some speculation about the show trying to sync up its new run with a real-world football event, much like fans expected in Season 4. When the comeback was announced in early 2025 and a summer 2026 release confirmed, many thought Apple would pair Lasso episodes with the FIFA Men’s World Cup in North America. Didn’t happen: Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt cameoed at the final to plug the show and introduce a certain Justin Bieber, but the episodes themselves weren’t tied to the event, calendar-wise.
Now, everyone’s eyes are on the next major sports milestone: the FIFA Women’s World Cup, kicking off on 24 June 2027 in Brazil. Should Sigmund Judge’s prediction pan out, with a summer 2027 launch for Lasso’s fifth go, Apple TV could tie the show’s new season to this tournament instead. It’s perfect synergy, honestly: Season 4 pivoted to AFC Richmond’s Women’s side, so marrying the story to the biggest date in women’s football makes logical and commercial sense.
Who’s in (and out) for Season 5
Ted Lasso’s latest batch of characters took a bit of getting used to, especially given how many familiar faces faded into the background after Season 3. That said, the creative team loves a bait and switch: Jamie Tartt’s surprise appearance was a proper crowd-pleaser, not least because actor Phil Dunster couldn’t decide whether he was in or not during press rounds, making the whole thing more fun than it probably should have been.
What we do know for certain? We won’t be seeing Anthony Head back as Rupert Mannion, after the much-loved Buffy veteran passed away in June 2026. While his off-screen presence was still felt in Season 4, Season 5 will have to march on without him.
Given the new direction – shifting focus to Richmond’s women’s squad – it’d be very odd for the show to do another sudden left turn. So, you can expect to see Tanya Reynolds (Coach Alice Chilton), Abbie Hern (Gemma Jay), and Faye Marsay (Lizzie Davis) all likely reprising their roles. Nothing’s formally been inked for regulars like Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton), Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins), Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard), Juno Temple (Keeley Jones), or Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent), but there’s been no suggestion any are leaving just yet – at least, nothing official on record.
- Ted Lasso Season 4 released: 5 August 2026
- Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Tomatometer, positive audience response
- No official renewal for Season 5 as of 24 September 2026
- Writers’ room possibly restarted late August 2026
- Filming rumoured to begin: January 2027 (not confirmed)
- Potential focus: AFC Richmond Women’s team, aligning with FIFA Women’s World Cup (24 June 2027, Brazil)
- Confirmed not returning: Anthony Head (Rupert Mannion), died June 2026
- Mainstay cast likely (not confirmed): Reynolds, Hern, Marsay, Waddingham, Swift, Hunt, Temple, Goldstein