The Pop Culture Pundit

Well, folks, you better believe it: Ted Lasso is coming back for season 4 after a years-long hiatus. While season 3 had ended on a seemingly definitive note, Ted Lasso has been one of Apple TV+’s most beloved shows, and the cast options on Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, and Jeremy Swift were picked up all the way back last August, so really it was only a matter of time. With Ted Lasso himself Jason Sudeikis officially confirming the news and teasing new storylines on the Kelce brothers’ New Heights podcast this past week, now all we have to do is wait. What better way to fill the time than speculate what fun guest stars Ted Lasso and team could bring on board for a new season?

Now, Ted Lasso doesn’t have a history with flashy guest stars, unlike other sitcoms such as 30 Rock (which, ironically, Sudeikis appeared on fifteen years ago…I feel old). However, when there are bigger guests on Ted Lasso, their appearances are often acclaimed: Sam Richardson of Veep and Detroiters fame won an Emmy for Best Guest on a Comedy for his role on season 3 while Succession staple Harriet Walter was similarly nominated for her role as Rebecca’s mom. Many sports commentators have also guest-starred as themselves, but given that I know almost nothing about sports in general, much less soccer (or, football…why is one sport called two different things??), I can’t comment on this aspect too much. I do, however, love a good celebrity cameo, so here are my predictions/hopes and dreams for season 4. 

1. Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh was actually slated to cameo on Ted Lasso in season 1–there’s even photos on Reddit to prove it. Pugh’s boyfriend at the time, Zach Braff, directed an episode during that season, so maybe she was supposed to appear then. There’s no word on why the cameo was cut–some say it had to do with the drama between Pugh and Olivia Wilde (aka Jason Sudeikis’ ex) on the set of Don’t Worry Darling–but those were nothing but rumors. So maybe her cameo will see the light of day in season 4? 

2. Tom Hardy

^{I just want to know what Cristo Fernández’s haircare routine is. Movieclips/via YouTube}

The Venom franchise is a beautiful cinematic masterpiece, and I promise you this relates to Ted Lasso. Venom follows the life of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), a journalist who accidentally becomes infected with a symbiote named Venom (also played by Tom Hardy), an alien creature from a different planet that has an appetite for vengeance (as well as chocolate, tater tots, and lobsters). None of that has to do with Ted Lasso, BUT in the final installment of the Venom trilogy, aptly titled Venom: The Last Dance, both Juno Temple AND Cristo Fernández appear, both of whom are series regulars on Ted Lasso. Two Ted Lasso cast members??!! Does this mean Tom Hardy will return the favor and make a cameo on the show??? That would be incredible. 

3. Anyone from the Kansas City Chiefs

^{Maybe fellow SNL alum Pete Davidson will guest star as a soccer correspondent and not-so-secret Swiftie? Saturday Night Live/via YouTube}

Jason Sudeikis is a fan of the Chiefs in real life–so does this mean a US football team member will guest star on a show about a British football team? Travis Kelce previously raved about him to People magazine, and Deadline reported Ted Lasso is first filming in Kansas City before heading back to the UK. On that note, Travis Kelce is famously dating Taylor Swift; Kelce and Swift have both been on SNL, which is where Sudeikis first got his start. Maybe both of them guest-starring is a stretch; but honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy? 

4. An SNL alum? 

^{Maybe we’ll get another karaoke moment between Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis! Rotten Tomatoes TV/via YouTube}

There are sooooo many possibilities for who could guest star from Saturday Night Live. Sudeikis previously guest-starred on 30 Rock, which was created by and starring SNL legend Tina Fey. Sudeikis also guest starred on The Last Man on Earth, which starred fellow SNL alum Will Forte (and honestly, I still need closure after that cliffhanger finale nearly 7 years ago)! There’s also the possibility of Heidi Gardner doing a guest arc as she is another SNL cast member/Chiefs fan (and was responsible for getting Kelce on as host). The possibilities are endless here, which is what makes it so fun to speculate! 

5. A Horrible Bosses reunion

Fun fact: Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston have been in five movies together (The Bounty Hunter, We’re the Millers, Horrible Bosses, Horrible Bosses 2, and Mother’s Day). It is very random to me that they have co-starred in so much, but either could return the favor and cameo on each other’s show (wouldn’t it be hilarious if Ted Lasso appeared on the Morning Show? They’re both Apple TV+ products so it’s entirely plausible). Furthermore, Sudeikis appeared on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Horrible Bosses featured It’s Always Sunny’s Charlie Day. It’s Always Sunny already had a crossover with Abbott Elementary, so why not Ted Lasso? The gang has already traveled internationally before. Let’s just hope it doesn’t end with Dee sinking in a bog this time. 

6. A Detroiters Reunion

Jason Sudeikis was an executive producer on this short-lived but hidden gem of a TV show, and even did a guest arc in season 1. Sam Richardson already appeared on Ted Lasso, so that means his co-star Tim Robinson just needs to pop up, maybe as a disgruntled football fan? Robinson is an SNL alum too, so that would work out perfectly!