Back to the field! Following Ted Lasso‘s immediate success on Apple TV+, the anticipation for season 3 was quite strong as the previous season wrapped in October 2021.

Ahead of the show winning four awards at the 2021 Emmys, producer and star Jason Sudeikis revealed what an honor it was to receive so much love in response to their hard work.

“Flattered. We can’t believe it. I mean, we’re trying to make people laugh and have a good time and do it in a specific way,” he told E! News on the red carpet in September 2021. “We had no idea folks would pick up what we were putting down and this is just icing on the cake. I mean, between, you know, the critics digging it and the academy, you know, it’s just been fantastic.”

After winning for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, the Saturday Night Live alum gushed about how special the series was during his acceptance speech.

“Thank you very much. So yeah, heck of a year,” he said. “I would say that this show is about family. This show is about mentors and teachers. This show is about teammates. And I wouldn’t be here without those three things in my life.”

Although viewers only wanted more Ted Lasso after season 2, creators Bill Lawrence, Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt previously discussed their plans to finish the story after season 3.

“The story that’s being told, that three-season arc is one that I see, know, and understood,” the Portlandia alum explained to Entertainment Weekly in June 2021. “I’m glad that they are willing to pay for those three seasons. As far as what happens after that, who knows? I don’t know.”

Hunt, who also portrays Coach Beard on the show, added: “I think we’ve always meant it to be three seasons. I think it would be pretty cool if, in the face of how much everyone likes this show, that we stick to our guns and really just do three seasons.”

As Ted Lasso continued to inspire plenty of excitement online, Lawrence teased that their original plan may not be the final decision going forward.

“What’s tough to process for me as a writer who is used to writing network comedy, is, this was the end of the season, but the midway point of the show,” the Cougar Town creator told Deadline after the season 2 finale aired in October 2021.

Scroll down for everything we know about season 3 of Ted Lasso:


When Is Season 3 Dropping?

The series should be returning to Apple TV+ in the summer of 2022. The writer's room started working on the season in September, with production set to begin in January 2022.

Following his win at the 2021 Emmys, Sudeikis confirmed backstage that there will be 12 episodes.

“They, being Apple, asked for 12 episodes and this time, ahead of time,” the comedian said at the time, according to Deadline. “So, we’ll be doing 12 episodes as of now.”

 

Apple TV+
Which Characters Can Fans Expect to See Again?

The Hollywood Reporter previously reported that Sudeikis "has already closed a deal for season three that will pay him in the vicinity of $1 million an episode." The outlet also noted that Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton), Goldstein (Roy Kent), Juno Temple (Keeley Jones) and Hunt were in negotiations for salary raises ahead of season 3.

While speaking to Deadline, Lawrence revealed that fan-favorite characters Sharon (Sarah Niles) and Trent (James Lance) will "have significant roles next year.”

 

Apple TV+
Where Will the Story Go?

Some possible story lines that could be explored in season 3 include Ted dealing with the aftermath of getting betrayed by assistant coach Nate Shelley (Nick Mohammed). After leaking details of Ted's panic attack to Trent, Nate and Ted have a pivotal exchange.

The episode then ends with Nate being offered the head coach position for the West Ham United team by Rebecca's ex Rupert Mannion (Anthony Head).

Roy and Keeley's relationship saw its ups and downs throughout season 2, which opens up the door for more tension in season 3.  

Fans were also curious whether they were really seeing potential sparks between Ted and Rebecca.

 

Apple TV+
Is This the End?

“I would probably stay clean and say that even if Ted Lasso goes on, the story the writing staff has been telling had a beginning, middle and end for the first three seasons,” Lawrence told Deadline in October 2021. “And then it might veer off from that.”

Apple TV+