Ted Lasso Season 4: Annette Badland Discusses Mae Green's Death in Episode 9

Key points

• Mae Green, played by Annette Badland, dies in Episode 9 of Ted Lasso Season 4, titled 'Mae Rides the Bus.'
• Badland revealed she was informed of the character's death approximately one month before filming, describing the news as a shock but a privilege.
• The episode features Mae joining the Lady Greyhounds on the team bus and delivering a pep talk, acknowledging her own past inability to play professional football due to historical bans on women.
• The Lady Greyhounds overcome a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2 in Mae's final match, a moment Badland described as a 'tremendous' conclusion for the character.
• Rebecca learns of Mae's death and informs Ted, with the episode also including a tribute card for the late actor Anthony Head, who played Rupert in previous seasons.
• Badland noted that Jason Sudeikis personally informed her of the storyline and subsequently adjusted Episode 10 based on their conversation to ensure Mae's legacy remained present.

Background

Ted Lasso Season 4 premiered on August 5, 2026, on Apple TV+, marking the show's return after a three-season hiatus. The season shifts focus from the men's AFC Richmond team to the newly formed Lady Greyhounds women's football club. Earlier reviews in September 2026 criticized the season for struggling to expand its ensemble and leaning on familiar tropes, though the show has maintained high viewership, with the first two days of Season 4 recording approximately 300 million minutes watched. The death of Mae Green, a character present since the first season, represents a major narrative departure from the show's traditional comedic tone, emphasizing the emotional weight of the transition to a women's team storyline.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and TVLine both highlight Annette Badland's emotional response to the character's death, emphasizing the 'privilege' and 'shock' she felt upon learning of the storyline. Both outlets note that Badland was informed by Jason Sudeikis personally, with TVLine adding that Sudeikis subsequently adjusted Episode 10 based on their discussion. Decider focuses on the episode's broader emotional impact, describing the ending as a 'heartbreaking twist' that contrasts with the joyous tone of the rest of the episode. Yahoo's coverage, while not directly discussing Mae's death, notes the show's high viewership and the cultural significance of the season's shift to a women's team, providing context for the emotional weight of Mae's departure. All sources agree that Mae's death is a significant and unexpected development in the series, marking a departure from the show's traditional comedic tone.

Why it matters

The death of Mae Green in Ted Lasso Season 4 marks a significant departure from the show's traditional comedic tone, signaling a shift in the series' narrative focus. As the show transitions from the men's AFC Richmond team to the Lady Greyhounds women's football club, the storyline emphasizes the emotional weight of this change, with Mae's death serving as a poignant reminder of the historical barriers women faced in football. The episode's focus on Mae's final day, including her locker room speech and the team's comeback victory, underscores the show's commitment to honoring its characters and their legacies. This development also highlights the show's willingness to take creative risks, as noted by Badland, who described the season as a 'risk' that has paid off in terms of audience engagement and emotional impact.

What to watch

The final episode of Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 10, is scheduled to air on October 7, 2026. Badland indicated that Mae's legacy will remain present in the finale, with Sudeikis having adjusted the storyline based on their conversation. The episode is expected to address the immediate fallout of Mae's death, including the reactions of Rebecca and Ted, and potentially feature a tribute or celebration of Mae's life. The show's future beyond Season 4 remains uncertain, as Sudeikis had previously indicated that the series would conclude after three seasons, but the success of Season 4 may influence future decisions. The ongoing storyline of Keeley's pregnancy and the team's progress in the women's football league will likely continue to drive the narrative in the final episode.