5 reasons we’re pretty darn optimistic about Ted Lasso season 3

Sarah Niles’ arrival as sports psychologist Dr. Sharon Fieldstone opened the gates for Ted to talk about his father’s death. After initial reluctance, he begins unpacking his trauma and develops a friendship with Sharon. Ted Lasso producer Bill Lawrence confirmed to Deadline that Niles will have a significant role in season three, which likely means that more of Ted’s past will come to light.

Niles delivered an endearing, no-nonsense performance, and hopefully, the show will continue to tap into her talent to dig into the character. Her role can allow the show to build on its discussions about how the sports industry still considers mental health a taboo subject. As seen in the season-two finale, Ted addresses this in the press conference to deal with the fallout of his panic attacks becoming public news.

Season two unexpectedly brought Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh) to the forefront. His storyline this season saw him become a team MVP and a love interest for Rebecca and even resulted in a Sam Richardson cameo. What’s more, Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernández) had a nice, if slightly traumatizing, arc involving team mascot Earl.

Ted Lasso is pretty great about giving its own underdogs the chance to shine. In season three, that ball could pass to the team’s captain, Isaac McAdoo (Kola Bokinni), left-winger Colin Hughes (Billy Harris), or even Will Kitman (Charlie Hiscock), the young equipment manager who Nate loved to pick on.

It’s still TBD if Roy and Keeley will be endgame—although here’s what their portrayers Brett Goldstein and Juno Temple have to say about that. While season three might explore their romantic chances, things are up in the air after the season-two finale. Will Roy take a six-week solo trip? (If he does, footage of him on holiday is a must.)

The next season will certainly double down on Keeley being a boss at her PR firm, and Roy possibly expanding on his coaching gig with Nate gone. As discussed in The A.V. Club’s Ted Lasso roundtable, both characters have quite the professional journey ahead of them. We’re cautiously optimistic that as they expand their own personal identities, they will work on their communication skills and find their way back to each other as a couple with a strong foundation.

Ted Lasso writers meticulously planted the seeds for Nate’s dark side to take over since the start. Nick Mohammed told The A.V. Club that he was informed about the shift from very early on in season one.

The third season is bound to look at how Nate fares while working for Rupert (Anthony Head) and West Ham. His conflicts with Ted, his former workplace, and his family are bound for a resolution, whether or not it’s redemptive. But hopefully, Nate gets to confront his inner demons, and Ted Lasso looks at how his identity as a brown man who has been bullied nearly his entire life led him to this point.

Show co-creators Sudeikis, Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly reportedly envisioned a three-season arc for Ted Lasso with a proper beginning, middle, and end. If this plan is followed, the next 12 episodes will wrap up the story. That would indicate that the entire series is already mapped out, and will successfully leave the audience with a satisfying ending (and let’s face it, possibly some spin-offs). Of course, there’s always the chance that, given Ted Lasso’s critical and commercial success, along with its awards recognition, Apple TV+ will want the show’s creators to reconsider this game plan.