Phil Dunster Spotted on Ted Lasso Set Amid Return Rumors for Season 4

Phil Dunster was spotted on the Ted Lasso Season 4 set in Richmond, fueling speculation that his character, Tartt, will return for the Apple TV+ comedy. Earlier reporting had suggested Dunster would not be back due to scheduling conflicts with projects including The Devil’s Hour on Prime Video and Surface on Apple TV+. A video from the Season 4 set shows the bleached-blond actor leaving a building in Richmond, with series star Jason Sudeikis and co-stars Juno Temple and Hannah Waddingham seen in the area. The footage did not confirm the actor’s status for the new season, and there has been no official confirmation of a regular return, leaving fans to await further word from the production team.

The fourth season is expected to pivot the AFC Richmond storyline toward a new challenge: coaching Keeley and Rebecca’s AFC Richmond women’s soccer team after the men’s club takes its talents overseas. Sudeikis said in a press release announcing the news that "In season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to leap before they look, discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be."

Dunster has previously acknowledged missing Tartt. He told Esquire in 2023 that Tartt has an element to him and that he would miss "just knowing this dude intimately and all of his choices. It was a real gift." The actor’s comments underscored the mixed dynamic the show has cultivated among its ensemble, and fans have long debated how Tartt would fit into a Season 4 that broadens the club’s scope while preserving the series’ signature balance of humor and heart.

Season 4 has not yet announced a premiere date, and Apple TV+ has not disclosed a firm launch window. The network has, however, signaled that the new installments will continue Ted Lasso’s blend of character-driven storylines with sports-adjacent comedy, extending the show’s footprint beyond its initial premise. Filming in and around Richmond has remained a regular feature of the production, with set photos and video continuing to surface as the cast and crew move through the new arc. As with previous seasons, the series is expected to weave humor with moments of emotional resonance, exploring how the community at AFC Richmond navigates personal growth, leadership, and teamwork under pressure.

The emergence of Dunster on set comes as fans and industry observers monitor every visual cue from production, since the cast’s participation in Season 4 remains a central talking point. While the recent footage suggests he is still part of the planned storyline, the exact nature of Tartt’s return—whether as a full-time cast member, a guest appearance, or in a limited capacity—has not been officially confirmed. The uncertainty reflects the broader realities of television production, where schedule changes and evolving story needs can shift a character’s presence from one season to the next.

For now, viewers will have to wait for an official release date to learn how Tartt’s arc will align with the new coaching dynamic and the broader AFC Richmond universe. Ted Lasso remains one of Apple TV+’s flagship comedies, widely recognized for its warmth, wit, and ability to blend sports drama with heartfelt storytelling. As filming continues, fans can anticipate further on-set updates, new plot developments, and the return of the show’s familiar cast, alongside anticipated newcomers who may join the evolving ensemble. Until Apple and the producers share concrete timing, the Season 4 story remains a subject of speculation and excitement among the show’s dedicated audience.