Ted Lasso season 3 is set to be the acclaimed comedy series' last season, much to the surprise of many viewers. Most successful comedy series have incredibly long runs, so the decision to end the wildly popular Ted Lasso after season 3 is shocking. However, the reasoning behind ending Ted Lasso doesn't have anything to do with ratings or budgets - it actually has to do with the story.
Jason Sudekis stars as loveable American football coach Ted Lasso as he is transferred to AFC Richmond, a fictional English Premier League soccer team. Season 1 is a relatively simple story, following league owner Rebecca Welton as she intentionally tries to tarnish Richmond's reputation by hiring Ted Lasso. However, after Ted shows his coaching skills and love for the team, Rebecca realizes the error of her ways and attempts to turn the ship around. Ted Lasso season 2 picks up after Richmond is demoted from the Premier League, with Ted and the team attempting to fight their way back to the top. Although season 1 has its emotional moments, season 2 tells a much more complex story, digging into Ted Lasso's anxiety and the mental health of those around him. With season 2 ending with a major betrayal, Ted Lasso season 3 will likely be more dramatic than ever.
Roy Kent actor Brett Goldstein has unveiled that Ted Lasso season 3 is being written as the series finale. This revelation is surprising to many, as the end of season 2 set up several plotlines that will probably take a while to resolve. As it turns out, though, three seasons has always been the plan for Ted Lasso. When Jason Sudekis and showrunner Bill Lawrence originally pitched the series, they only envisioned a three-season story. They even had most of the characters' arcs fully planned out from the very beginning. So, even though the show has been a massive success for Apple TV+, Ted Lasso's creators are sticking to their guns and ending Coach Lasso's story with AFC Richmond after season 3.
Although characters like Nate still have a long way to go, the stories of major characters like Sam Obisanya already seem to be wrapping up at the end of season 2. With AFC Richmond having both fallen out of and reentered into the Premier League, it doesn't seem like there is much more Ted Lasso can do with the team's story. Because of this, Ted Lasso season 3 will likely wrap up the story of main characters like Ted, Rebecca, and Nate, allowing for more of the emotional and heartwarming endings that the show is known for.
While the story of Coach Lasso and AFC Richmond may be over, Ted Lasso the show may not necessarily be over. Although the show's main story of Ted Lasso's time at AFC Richmond will end, a potential Ted Lasso season 4 could introduce an entirely new story that could carry on for several more seasons. However, until further plans are announced, it is likely that Ted Lasso season 3 will be the end of the show.