But that’s where the similarities end.
TheSaturday Night Liveveteran is also fully clothed.
It is an opportunity 99 people out of 100 in this situation would take.
Julian Broad for EW
“No, I trust you.
A piece of paper that simply yet profoundly reads BELIEVE.
Ted Lassois about many things.
Jason Sudeikis.Julian Broad for EW
But the theme of self-belief is never far away.
“That three-season arc is one that I see, know, and understand,” says Sudeikis.
Is the actor serious about blowing the whistle on the show?
Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, and Nick Mohammed in ‘Ted Lasso’.Apple TV +
What can fans expect from season 2?
Where does Sudeikis end and his comedy creation begin?
Put on those cleats and stretch those hamstrings.
Jason Sudeikis.Julian Broad for EW
It’s time to tackle Ted.
In 2000, Hunt was performing in Amsterdam with an improv troupe when Jason Sudeikis visited the city.
Hunt had recently become a devout convert to the church of soccer.
Somewhere on that journey he allowed me to word-vomit all these ideas about soccer.”
Flash forward 13 years.
Sudeikis liked the idea, but not the character.
“I wanted to play something sillier,” he says.
In 2017,ScrubscreatorBill Lawrencereached out to Sudeikis.
“I was chasing Jason to do a project,” says Lawrence.
My ego was hurt for a second.
Then I dove in."
Sudeikis and Lawrence made the pitching rounds, but only the executives at Apple bit.
(Incidentally, the actor, unlike his character, quite likes tea.
“With enough milk and sugar, I’ll drink piss,” Sudeikis says.
“Especially if it’s caffeinated.")
“For British stuff, everyone would turn their heads towards us,” says Goldstein.
“But Brendan knowsallthe football.”
“He’s not just an actor, he’s a writer-producer, etcetera,” says Lawrence.
I was like, ‘Fine, I will!’
Unfortunately, he knows exactly what he’s doing and had chosen the right song.
I had to just get on with it.”
Popularity aside, Sudeikis is conflicted about his show having seemingly benefited from premiering during the pandemic.
“I would trade that for kids being able to go to school,” he says.
“But it’s been profound.
The praise hasn’t been just anecdotal.
Turns out Sudeikis is not a fan of acting competition.
“It’s only a reflection of who I get to act with.”
That is a very Ted Lasso opinion to hold.
Sudeikis, though, is wary of comparing himself to the almost saintly Ted.
“I used to be like, ‘Oh, it’s me on a few beers.’
In November 2020, news broke that Sudeikis and Wilde had split.
One has nothing to do with the other,” and then falls pointedly silent.
“It’s called the iMoney truck,” the actor says with a laugh.
“I’m glad they are willing to pay for those three seasons.
As far as what happens after that, who knows?
I don’t.”
Okay, that’s not true.
But Sudeikis does insist that the season is theEmpire Strikes Backof the show.
“People go into their caves and face their s—,” he discloses.
New cast membersinclude Sarah Niles(I May Destroy You) as a sports psychologist named Sharon.
“I think Ted surprises her,” teases Niles, 44.
“And she may surprise Ted.”
“I don’t worry about any of it,” Sudeikis says.
“I didn’t worry about it last [time].
That’s one thing you learn through improv, and it’s one thing you learn throughSNL.
Jason Sudeikis photographed exclusively for EW on April 29, 2021 in London.
Styling: Tilly Harding; Grooming: Nicky Austin; Prop Styling: Josh Stovell.
