Hannah Waddingham, one of the stars of “Ted Lasso,” says she is thrilled to return for the show’s upcoming fourth season. The Apple TV+ series, which many believed had ended after its third season, was officially renewed in March.
Speaking at the “Smurfs” premiere in Los Angeles on Sunday, Waddingham described the return of “Ted Lasso” as emotional.
“It feels like it was the most beautiful, beloved dog that was buried, and now we’ve exhumed it, and I am here for it,” she said. “I was hankering to see where Rebecca had gone, where she was going to. She’s my girl. She’s in my bloodstream, so I’m thrilled that it’s been exhumed.”
Waddingham plays Rebecca Welton, the owner of AFC Richmond, in the popular soccer-themed comedy. She won an Emmy Award for her role in 2021.
Jason Sudeikis, who plays the title character Ted Lasso, also confirmed his return. At the time of the season four announcement, he said the new episodes will focus on taking risks.
“In season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to leap before they look, discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be,” Sudeikis said.
Apple TV+ has not yet announced the full returning cast, but Brett Goldstein, who stars as Roy Kent and serves as one of the show’s writers, said in June that work is already underway. “I can’t tell you a single thing about it, of course, but we’re working on it, and it’s good,” he said.
“Ted Lasso” has received 61 Emmy nominations during its run, winning 13 awards, including Best Comedy Series for two consecutive years.
In addition to her work on “Ted Lasso,” Waddingham is currently promoting “Smurfs,” where she voices an evil wizard. She joked about how the role affected her vocal cords.
“It absolutely mangled my voice senseless. It was my own fault for offering it up,” she said.
“Smurfs,” directed by Chris Miller, opens in theaters this Friday.
