Jason Sudeikis reveals how 'Ted Lasso' changed his life

Jason Sudeikis has admitted that portraying the endlessly optimistic Ted Lasso has had a profound impact on his own life, revealing the beloved Apple TV+ series “saved” him as much as it did many of its fans.

The 50-year-old actor, who stars as the title character and co-created the hit comedy, said spending years embodying Ted’s hopeful outlook helped shape his own perspective.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Sudeikis explained that the character’s positivity became contagious.

“It is infectious to play a character who sees the best in people and isn’t mad at the world for all its foibles and bullies and shadows,” he said.

“It was good to live in that — to have that coursing through your brain and your body all day. It still is.”

The actor made the comments while discussing his habit of telling fans that the show “saved” him too when they share how much it has meant to them.

Although Ted Lasso was originally conceived as a three-season story, the award-winning comedy is returning for a fourth season next month, with the focus shifting to AFC Richmond’s women’s team.

Sudeikis admitted he was initially reluctant to continue the series, despite reportedly earning $1 million per episode, because he believed Ted’s story had reached its natural conclusion.

“That wasn’t a negotiation tactic. The story was told,” he said.

“Ted went home to be with his son. I wasn’t going to have Ted uproot their life to justify the money truck. It made no sense to me.”

However, the actor ultimately changed his mind, admitting he needed the show’s return just as much as its audience.

“I know I needed this. I needed it as much as other people do,” he said.

While familiar faces including Brendan Hunt, Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple will return for season four, several actors who portrayed Richmond’s footballers will not be back.

Sudeikis personally informed them of the decision, saying he wanted them to hear the news directly rather than online.