By Sara Bright
Ted Lasso is one of the most popular and acclaimed shows on Apple TV+. The comedy series, created by and starring Jason Sudeikis, follows the adventures of an American football coach who is hired to manage a struggling English soccer team. The show has won numerous awards, including Emmys, Golden Globes, and Critics’ Choice Awards, and has been praised for its heartwarming and hilarious storylines, characters, and performances.
But Ted Lasso is not the only show set in the world of AFC Richmond, the fictional soccer club at the centre of the series. Apple TV+ has recently announced a spinoff show, titled The Richmond Way, which will focus on the lives and careers of the other coaches, players, and staff of the team. The spinoff will also introduce a new women’s team, co-owned by Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) and Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), two of the main characters from Ted Lasso.
What can fans expect from The Richmond Way? Who will be in the cast? When will it premiere? Here is everything you need to know about the Ted Lasso spinoff.
The Plot and the Premise
The Richmond Way will take place after the events of Ted Lasso season 3, which saw AFC Richmond win the Premier League title, and Ted Lasso return to the US to be with his son. The spinoff will follow the new adventures of the remaining coaches, Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), and Nathan Shelley (Nick Mohammed), as they try to defend their championship and deal with the challenges of fame, pressure, and personal issues.
The spinoff will also explore the launch of a new women’s team, which will be co-owned by Rebecca Welton, the former owner of AFC Richmond, and Keeley Jones, the former PR manager and girlfriend of Roy Kent. The women’s team will feature a diverse and talented roster of players, who will face their own obstacles and opportunities in the male-dominated world of soccer. The spinoff will also show the relationship between Rebecca and Keeley, who will become business partners and best friends.
The Richmond Way will retain the same tone and style of Ted Lasso, mixing comedy, drama, and emotion, while also tackling relevant and timely topics, such as gender equality, mental health, and social media. The spinoff will also pay homage to Ted Lasso, who will still be an inspiration and a mentor to the characters, even though he will not appear on screen.
The Cast and the Characters
The Richmond Way will feature many familiar faces from Ted Lasso, as well as some new additions. Here are some of the confirmed cast members and their roles:
- Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent, the former player and current head coach of AFC Richmond. He is known for his grumpy and foul-mouthed personality, but also for his loyalty and passion. He is in a long-distance relationship with Keeley Jones, who lives in London. He is also starting therapy with Dr. Sharon Fieldstone (Sarah Niles), the former team psychologist.
- Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard, the assistant coach and best friend of Ted Lasso. He is a quiet and mysterious man, who often provides wise and witty advice. He is also a fan of chess, trivia, and obscure music. He is in a complicated relationship with Jane (Phoebe Walsh), a woman he met at a pub.
- Nick Mohammed as Nathan Shelley, the former kit man and current assistant coach of AFC Richmond. He is a shy and insecure man, who often struggles with his confidence and self-esteem. He is also a loyal and kind-hearted person, who cares deeply about his friends and colleagues. He has a crush on Keeley’s assistant, Will (Charlie Hiscock).
- Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton, the former owner of AFC Richmond and the co-owner of the new women’s team. She is a strong and successful woman, who has overcome a bitter divorce and a failed attempt to sabotage AFC Richmond. She is also a caring and supportive person, who has become close friends with Keeley Jones and Ted Lasso. She is dating Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh), a former player of AFC Richmond.
- Juno Temple as Keeley Jones, the former PR manager of AFC Richmond and the co-owner of the new women’s team. She is a smart and savvy woman, who has a successful career in media and marketing. She is also a fun and friendly person, who has a great sense of humour and style. She is in a long-distance relationship with Roy Kent, who lives in Liverpool.
- Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya, a former player of AFC Richmond and the current captain of the Nigerian national team. He is a talented and charismatic player, who has a bright future in soccer. He is also a humble and respectful person, who has a strong sense of identity and culture. He is dating Rebecca Welton, who is much older and richer than him.
- Cristo Fernández as Dani Rojas, a player of AFC Richmond and the star striker of the team. He is a cheerful and optimistic player, who always says “football is life”. He is also a loyal and generous person, who always helps his teammates and friends. He is recovering from a traumatic incident, where he accidentally killed the team’s mascot, Earl Greyhound.
- Moe Jeudy-Lamour as Thierry Zoreaux, a player of AFC Richmond and the goalkeeper of the team. He is a confident and competitive player, who always strives to improve his skills. He is also a friendly and funny person, who likes to joke around and have fun. He is friends with Dani Rojas, who often calls him “Terry”.
- Kola Bokinni as Isaac McAdoo, a player of AFC Richmond and the vice-captain of the team. He is a powerful and imposing player, who often intimidates his opponents. He is also a calm and composed person, who rarely shows his emotions. He is respected by his teammates and coaches, who often look up to him.
- Billy Harris as Colin Hughes, a player of AFC Richmond and the midfielder of the team. He is a reckless and aggressive player, who often gets into trouble on and off the pitch. He is also a naive and immature person, who often makes poor decisions and mistakes. He is friends with Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), who often influences him.
- Stephen Manas as Richard Montlaur, a player of AFC Richmond and the defender of the team. He is a skilled and elegant player, who often impresses with his technique. He is also a cultured and sophisticated person, who speaks multiple languages and enjoys fine arts. He is from France, and often misses his home country.
- Annette Badland as Mae Green, the owner of the local pub where AFC Richmond’s fans and staff often hang out. She is a tough and outspoken woman, who does not tolerate any nonsense. She is also a loyal and generous woman, who always supports and helps her customers and friends. She is a big fan of AFC Richmond, and especially of Ted Lasso.
- Moe Hashim as Moe Bumbercatch, a new player of AFC Richmond and the winger of the team. He is a young and promising player, who has a lot of potential and talent. He is also a shy and nervous person, who often suffers from anxiety and stage fright. He is mentored by Roy Kent, who tries to boost his confidence and performance.
- Keeley Hazell as Bex, a new player of the new women’s team and the striker of the team. She is a former model and actress, who decided to pursue her passion for soccer. She is a beautiful and glamorous woman, who often attracts attention and admiration. She is also a fierce and ambitious woman, who wants to prove herself and win. She is friends with Keeley Jones, who helped her join the team.
- Sasha Garron as Jess, a new player of the new women’s team and the goalkeeper of the team. She is a transgender woman, who transitioned a few years ago. She is a brave and inspiring woman, who faced a lot of challenges and discrimination. She is also a talented and passionate woman, who loves soccer and plays with her heart. She is supported by Rebecca Welton, who welcomed her to the team.
- Dylan Marron as Alex, a new player of the new women’s team and the midfielder of the team. He is a non-binary person, who uses they/them pronouns. He is a creative and expressive person, who likes to experiment with his appearance and style. He is also a smart and strategic person, who has a great vision and understanding of the game. He is friends with Jess, who shares his experience and identity.





