Ted Lasso is about an American football coach who takes on a British soccer team. He knows little about soccer, but his endless optimism and can-do spirit? Priceless. Ted inspires everyone around him, even if they are not sure why. With a cast that feels like family, clever jokes and feel-good moments, Ted Lasso became a show everyone is talking about. It is like a warm hug in a world full of cold realities.

Meet the characters from Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso

Ted is that relentlessly sunny tornado of a coach who somehow turns biscuits-and-polite-chatter into life philosophy, and yes he probably will hug you before you know what hit you. He’s annoyingly optimistic in the best way — like he has a pocketful of motivational quotes and a terrible karaoke song for each mood — but he’s not stupid, he’s quietly, stubbornly smart about people. Also he’ll make a ridiculous analogy about mangos or mustaches and then surprise you by actually solving a problem using kindness; contradictory, sure, but in a good way. He keeps handwritten notes and watches old highlight reels like they’re bedtime stories, which is both wholesome and slightly weird.

Rebecca Welton

Rebecca starts out like the icy owner with a revenge plot and then melts into this complicated, fiercely proud woman who collects sharp suits and sharper comebacks. She’s stylish, vengeful, and also deeply lonely sometimes — big energy, tiny vulnerable spots — and she hides things behind polite smiles (and a mean eyeliner game). There’s a constant back-and-forth where she’s ruthless in business but soft in private; she absolutely loves rom-coms on the weekend and would deny it, probably while reading a very serious book. She’s a puzzle who learned to laugh again, and she makes vindication look like a Prada accessory.

Coach Beard

Beard is the quiet brain in the corner who reads philosophy between exacting tactical breakdowns and will probably make you tea that’s slightly too bitter but somehow perfect. He speaks in low tones and deadpan one-liners, and people assume he’s emotionless — and then he’ll do something unexpectedly tender like quietly support someone’s terrible idea until it works. He’s terrifyingly competent (and slightly creepy with his collection of ancient coaching notes) but also likes weird hobbies, maybe bird-watching or arguing about obscure football stats at 2 a.m. There’s this delightful inscrutable vibe to him: he’s stoic but absolutely deeply loyal, like a dog with a PhD.

Higgins

Higgins is the calm, organized heart of the club who says “oh I’ll handle it” and then actually does, usually with a spreadsheet and a cup of tea. He’s soft-spoken, endlessly diplomatic, and secretly craves chaos in tiny doses — like that one time he impulsively bought a souvenir he can’t quite explain. He has this lovely paternal warmth and a ridiculous fondness for intricate stationery (honestly, the man loves sticky notes) and he somehow navigates boardrooms and dressing rooms with the same gentle authority. He’s a bit of a dad figure who will also surprise you with a mischievous anecdote when you least expect it.

Jamie Tartt

Jamie is the chirpy golden boy who was all ego and hair gel and then slowly turned into someone confusingly human — like a selfie with a very complicated backstory. He’s flashy, annoyingly talented, and fiercely competitive, but there’s a small, insecure kid underneath who reads too much into praise (and also writes cringe poetry, probably). He loves attention, hates being told no, and will also show up with a gift that makes you cry, which is as inconsistent as his haircut choices. Watching him spiral and grow is this deliciously messy thing — irritating one minute, quietly heroic the next.

Roy Kent

Roy is the gruff, growly engine of honesty who intimidates everyone into improvement and then sighs about it like he’s embarrassed by human feelings. He’s tough as nails, short with words, and oddly sentimental about very specific things — like a mug or a scarf — so yes he’s basically an angry teddy bear. He swears a lot in a very economical way and will bench you one minute and protect you the next, which is kind of his whole vibe: loving through tough love. Also, don’t ask him about social media unless you want a lecture, then a begrudging acceptance, then a meme he secretly likes.

Nathan Shelley

Nathan starts out as the awkward kit man with eyes full of dreams and a notebook full of plans, and then he transforms (messily) into someone who barely recognises his own ambition. He’s brilliant with tactics, weirdly earnest, and often painfully specific about schedules and snacks — which can be adorable and terrifying at once. There’s a thread of bitterness in him sometimes, like ambition clashing with insecurity, but he also has surprising tenderness that shows up at the strangest moments (and sometimes he writes really beautiful little notes that contradict his stern face). He collects notebooks like trophies and treats spreadsheets like poetry, which is hilariously him.

Keeley Jones

Keeley is a glitter bomb of charisma who also runs a tiny empire, and she somehow manages to be both the nicest person in the room and the sharpest negotiator in the meeting. She’s bubbly, fiercely loyal, and secretly a tactical genius with PR — don’t be fooled by the smiles and sequins, she will out-strategize you. She loves animals (especially cats), has a talent for wardrobe wizardry, and will give you the best pep talk at 2 a.m. Also she might write scathing DMs and then send a caring bouquet five minutes later, which is peak Keeley.