Ted Lasso's Season 4 Masterstroke: A Fresh Take on Beloved Storylines

The acclaimed Apple TV+ series, "Ted Lasso," transcends its titular character, becoming an international sensation due to its rich ensemble of characters both within and outside the AFC Richmond organization. Ted Lasso's arrival profoundly reshaped the team's culture, prompting individuals like Roy Kent, Jamie Tartt, owner Rebecca Welton, and Director of Football Operations, Leslie Higgins, to emerge from their shells. Jeremy Swift, who portrays the endearing Leslie Higgins—a founding member of the Diamond Dogs, football executive, and jazz musician—contributes significantly with his humorous sounds, warm demeanor, and insightful wisdom.

Despite a three-year hiatus between seasons, the affection for "Ted Lasso" has not waned. Season 4 sees Higgins, alongside Rebecca Welton and Keeley Jones, embarking on a mission to recruit Ted Lasso back to coach the newly established AFC Richmond women's team. While Keeley harbors grand visions for the club, it falls to Rebecca and Higgins to ensure these aspirations are realized and the team remains financially viable for long-term success.

Jeremy Swift, an English character actor with over three decades in the industry, has a notable resume including roles in "Downton Abbey," "Gosford Park," "The 10th Kingdom," and "Mary Poppins Returns." However, he acknowledges that nothing prepared him for the immense scale of "Ted Lasso" and the widespread adoration Leslie Higgins would receive. Ahead of Season 4, Episode 4, titled "Greyhounds' Day Off," Swift expressed his excitement for the show's return, confessing he was "quite overwhelmed about how good it is and that I'm in it." He compared the show's rewatchability to the works of Kansas City native Robert Altman, noting the "layers" and "little breadcrumbs" that reward multiple viewings—a storytelling quality Swift speculates might be unique to Kansas City creatives like Altman and Jason Sudeikis.

Swift revealed that the cast celebrated the news of Season 4 in their WhatsApp group, though he had anticipated its return due to hints in the scripts, approaching contract dates, and the setup for a women's team at the end of Season 3. Discussing his role, Swift mentioned a unique experience working with Kate Winslet as a director on "Goodbye June," where he played a doctor delivering terminal cancer news. Winslet, a huge "Ted Lasso" fan, impressed him with her directorial prowess, especially in managing to lead and direct simultaneously. Swift also reflected on the demanding multi-hyphenate roles of his "Ted Lasso" co-stars, particularly Jason Sudeikis, who would write until the early hours and then be on set by morning.

In Season 4, which picks up three years after the last season, Higgins has evolved. Swift created a backstory for his character, imagining Higgins having worked with the women's team for some time. He views Higgins as a "worrier," much like himself, which translates into a meticulous approach to his work. Higgins has grown into a "credible operator in the brass" while retaining his signature "funny sounds." Swift described his working relationship with Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca) as having "got warmer and more fun" over the seasons, noting their easy dynamic and continued "slightly catty exchanges."

Regarding new and returning cast members, Swift observed that due to the gender-separated locker rooms in the women's team context, Higgins has had limited interaction with the new female players. He praised the show's ability to create fresh dynamics by "mismatching people," citing his scenes with Jamie Tartt as an example. Swift expressed interest in having more scenes with Tanya Reynolds, who plays Coach Alice Chilton. He also recounted the "hoot" of a scene where Higgins was unexpectedly roped into tracking Roy Kent's dates with Keeley, clarifying that Higgins views Roy and Keeley's romantic life as "none of his business."

Swift identified his favorite Season 4 scene as Higgins' visit to the Negro Baseball Museum. He cherished the experience, both personally visiting the museum and working with actor Milan Carter. He highlighted the scene's "stunning writing," noting how it cleverly "sidesteps" expectations of a typical pilgrimage, transforming into an "enlightening" lesson for Higgins about guiding the women's team forward.

Reflecting on his own evolution as an actor after 38 years in the profession, Swift stated that the profile gained from "Ted Lasso" has made him more confident. He feels trusted to deliver on sets, allowing him the freedom to experiment, a practice he attributes to Jason Sudeikis' improvisatory background. His advice to his younger self would be to "trust the process" and to be bolder in expressing concerns, provided he has a "cogent argument." New episodes of "Ted Lasso" Season 4 premiere Wednesdays on Apple TV.