Jamie Tartt, played by Phil Dunster, is among the beloved “Ted Lasso” favorites who won’t be back as a full-time presence in season 4.
Apple TV+
As the Ted Lasso season 4 cast returns to Apple TV this week, viewers will quickly notice that several familiar faces are no longer part of the regular lineup. The new chapter shifts the focus to a women’s soccer team, a fresh direction that means moving on from many of the players who evolved, stumbled, healed and grew over three seasons under Ted’s guidance.
That change brings an obvious upside: a new roster of characters for fans to meet and root for. The downside is just as clear. Many cherished Ted Lasso cast members are not expected to appear throughout these new episodes, even if the door remains open for the occasional cameo.
5 Ted Lasso Cast Members Not Returning For Season 4
Here are five stars whose absence will be felt deeply in the new Ted Lasso season.
1. Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster)
Jamie Tartt’s journey remains one of the show’s most rewarding character arcs. He began as the flashy, self-absorbed star striker of season one, the kind of player who wanted every pass, every cheer and every headline. Over time, though, Jamie softened into something richer: a teammate capable of sharing the spotlight, a leader willing to learn, and a man slowly becoming better both on and off the pitch. His painful, complicated relationship with his father was handled with unusual care, recognizing that improvement does not always mean a wound fully closes. Still, the standout bond was not Jamie’s romance with Keeley, but his unlikely friendship with Roy Kent. The episode in which Jamie teaches Roy how to ride a bike remains pure Ted Lasso joy — warm, funny and quietly moving.
Up next: Dunster appeared opposite Steve Carell in Rooster, which has already been renewed for a second season on HBO.
Sam Obisanya, played by Toheeb Jimoh, became a restaurant owner during season 3 of “Ted Lasso.”
Apple TV+
2. Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh)
Sweet Sam, the Nigerian defender-turned-wing who found his voice both on and off the field through the series, is also not returning to the pitch. The character had a close relationship with his father that mirrored Ted’s mentorship, in a show about the complications of the father-son relationship. His unexpected but completely believable relationship with Rebecca, though ultimately doomed, helped the character mature.
Up next: Jimoh will head the cast of the BBC’s Open Water adaptation.
Cristo Fernández played beloved character Dani Rojas on the first three seasons of “Ted Lasso.”
Apple TV+
3. Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernández)
The infectiously positive striker introduced one of Ted Lasso’s most famous quotes: “Football is life.” Alas, as Dani learned during the ups and downs of three seasons, football can also mean death—there’s both joy and sorrow in anything you love. Dani once passed on Keeley’s offer of a free coffee maker because his mother said he was “born caffeinated.” There is a nod to Dani’s character in episode one, which was previewed in the Ted Lasso trailer.
Up next: Fernández is playing football for real—he recently signed and debuted with El Paso Locomotive, a USL Championship squad in Texas.
Isaac McAdoo (Kola Bokinni) shares a moment with teammate and friend Colin Hughes (Billy Harris).
Apple TV+
4. Isaac McAdoo (Kola Bokinni)
When Roy Kent finally surrenders the captain’s armband, a nod to father time catching up to him, the gruff midfielder hands it over to Isaac, his loyal No. 2. Isaac’s front-and-center moments in the series offered signs of real growth. Roy helped him rediscover his love for the game following a stretch of rough performances, and Bokinni showed impressive depth in a storyline where Isaac struggled when teammate Colin came out—flummoxed not by his friend’s sexuality but about why Colin couldn’t trust him.
Up next: Bokinni will play the lead in the new short film Guru from director Jamie Benyon (Two Minutes).
Trent Crimm (James Lance) writes a book about Ted Lasso in season 3.
Apple TV+
5. Trent Crimm (James Lance)
In season one, James Lance perfectly embodied the self-importance of traditional print sports journalists as Trent Crimm (“the Independent”). But as his story arc progressed over the next two seasons, Crimm became by turns vulnerable, relatable and fallible—just like every character on Ted Lasso. His support helped Colin through his coming out, and the book storyline in season three gave Trent a great reason to be in on more of the fun.
Up next: Lance has a guest-starring role in Netflix’s smash Wednesday.
