Jason Sudeikis almost walked away Ted Lasso after season 3, despite being offered $1 million per episode.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter Posted on Tuesday, July 21, the Emmy-winning actor revealed that money was never the reason he agreed to return for season 4.
Following the season 3 finale in 2023, Sudeikis believed Ted’s story had reached its natural conclusion. After all, the beloved coach had returned to Kansas to be with his son, while the travels of Richmond’s other central characters had also concluded.
“That was not a negotiating tactic,” Sudeikis, 50, explained. “The story was already told. Ted went home to be with his son. I wasn’t going to let Ted uproot their lives to justify the money truck. It didn’t make sense to me.”
Despite his initial reluctance, SNL The student finally found a reason to revisit the character: Ted’s refreshingly positive outlook on life.
“It’s infectious to play a character who sees the best in people and isn’t angry at the world for all its weaknesses, bullies and shadows,” Sudeikis said. “It’s not like I was Daniel Day-Lewis, but it was good to live in that, to have that running through your brain and your body all day. It still is.”
Co-creator Brendan Hunt previously revealed that the story jumps forward three years, meaning a lot has changed since viewers last visited AFC Richmond.
The long-awaited fourth season premieres August 5 on Apple TV+ after a two-year hiatus.
