How “Ted Lasso” handles Jamie Tartt’s absence
How “Ted Lasso” handles Jamie Tartt’s absence
Shania RussellWed, August 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM UTC
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Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt on ‘Ted Lasso’Credit: Apple TVKey Points -
Ted Lasso‘s season 4 premiere hinted at Jamie Tartt’s (Phil Dunster) absence from the show.
The second episode confirms the reason why fans won’t see the fan-favorite character hanging around the Richmond pitch.
Executive producer Brendan Hunt said the decision wasn’t just a matter of scheduling, but also made more sense for the character.
Warning: Minor spoilers for Ted Lasso season 4, episode 2.
The cat is officially out of the bag: Jamie Tartt’s time at AFC Richmond has come to an end.
Ted Lasso hasn’t exactly been hiding the (foot)ball when it comes to the absence of AFC Richmond’s men’s team. Ever since the premise of season 4 was revealed, the show’s creators have made it abundantly clear that the focus will be on the Lady Greyhounds going forward.
But in case there were any doubts, the second episode — “Curiouser and Curiouser” — finds several ways to cement the new reality that AFC Richmond’s men’s team is no longer at the center of the show, as Ted (Jason Sudeikis) explores familiar spaces with his attention now focused on the women’s team.
Along with introducing a new set of players, Ted Lasso makes time for a few familiar faces. Ted shares an emotional reunion with Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), reconciles with Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) and gets ready to work again with Higgins (Jeremy Swift), Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) and Keeley (Juno Temple). Though Ted peers into his old locker room, none of the players from the men’s team actually appear. But one of them does get a very important mention, explaining why he won’t be spotted hanging around the Richmond pitch anytime soon.
Why isn’t Jamie Tartt at Richmond?
A newspaper about Jamie Tartt in episode 1 of ‘Ted Lasso’ season 4Credit: Apple TV
In the season premiere, fans got a hint about what Phil Dunster’s Jamie Tartt has been up to in the three years since the show concluded. While considering whether or not to return to Richmond, Ted looks over photographs, news clippings, and accolades marking his memories of AFC Richmond. Among them is a newspaper article — penned by everyone’s favorite journalist, Trent Crimm — which reads, “Gracias, Jamie Tartt.”
Additional text revealed that Jamie had bid a “grateful farewell” to his fellow Greyhounds, hinting that Jamie had moved on to another team.
This is confirmed when Ted sits down for a press conference in episode 2, where he is barraged by questions about the men’s team despite his insistence that he’s there to comment on the progress of Richmond’s Lady Greyhounds.
But one of those questions proves helpful for fans, when Ted is asked, “What are your thoughts on Jamie Tartt leaving Richmond to play at Barcelona this season?”
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Brett Goldstein and Phil Dunster on ‘Ted Lasso’Credit: Apple TV
In typical Ted fashion, the jolly coach replies, “Never easy saying goodbye to a player but I think he’s gonna do bueno.”
Yes, Jamie Tartt has hung up his Greyhounds kit — Bantr promo and all — to go play for FC Barcelona.
Hunt, also an executive producer on the show, recently addressed the decision during a chat with Variety, explaining that Dunster was unable to return for the fourth season. But besides scheduling conflicts, Hunt pointed out that losing players is an inevitability given AFC Richmond’s recent successes.
“Phil was going to be busy,” he said of the actor who can now be seen on HBO Max’s Rooster. “But also, it would have strained credulity a bit further than we wanted to if all the old team were still on Richmond. If this team is doing so well, then the best players would be gone. They’d be bought by bigger clubs.”
Brett Goldstein and Phil Dunster on ‘Ted Lasso’Credit: Apple TV
There is one silver lining to Jamie’s absence — depending who you ask. The cocky football star was previously vying for Keeley’s heart, alongside her ex Roy Kent. But with Jamie out of the way, the path is clear for Roy and Keeley to make good on their chemistry and continue their will-they won’t-they dynamic without any competition.
“The two of them have a chemistry together, whether they are being romantic or not,” Hunt teased. “We’ll see if that can get back to anything proper as we go.”
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As for the rest of the AFC Richmond’s men’s team, the series creators have been tight-lipped on whether fans will get to see any more returning faces. But as Ted would say, there’s always reason to hope.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
