Phil Dunster Reveals Ted Lasso Season 4 Bombshell: Jamie Tartt’s Game-Changing Twist

The AFC Richmond locker room is losing one of its brightest stars. Apple TV+ has confirmed that Phil Dunster—fan-favorite scene-stealer Jamie Tartt—will not be a series regular when Ted Lasso returns for Season 4, though talks remain for limited guest spots. Why the sudden shuffle? Deadline previously reported that Dunster’s schedule now revolves around an upcoming, still-untitled HBO comedy led by Steve Carell, forcing the actor to step back just as Ted Lasso begins shooting new episodes in Kansas City and London. Apple’s first-look photo, released this week, shows Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple and Jeremy Swift digging into KC barbecue—noticeably without their on-pitch ace. What it means for Jamie Tartt Dunster’s swaggering striker completed a full redemption arc across Seasons 1-3, evolving from arrogant prodigy to emotional cornerstone of Richmond’s title chase. Writers now face a strategic rewrite: will Jamie be transferred, injured, or chasing fame with another Premier League giant? Showrunner Bill Lawrence has teased “creative ways” to keep Tartt in the conversation, hinting at cameo appearances that could still fuel Roy-Jamie banter and Ted’s locker-room pep talks. Season 4 plot pivots Confirmed storylines already push Ted beyond the men’s club: the mustachioed coach heads back to Richmond to helm a second-division women’s side, turning longtime assistant Roy Kent into interim manager of the men’s squad. The shake-up positions Keeley Jones to juggle PR duties for two teams, while Rebecca Welton navigates double ownership headaches. Insiders say the women’s roster will introduce six new cast members, including Sex Education alum Tanya Reynolds, to fill the screen time vacated by Jamie Tartt and other outgoing players such as Nate, Dani Rojas and Sam Obisanya. Fan reaction and SEO buzz Within hours of the casting reveal, “Phil Dunster Ted Lasso” rocketed up Apple TV+ subreddit threads and X trending charts, with viewers mourning the loss of Roy-Jamie chemistry and dubbing Tartt “the real diamond dogs MVP.” Search interest for “Jamie Tartt Season 4” and “Phil Dunster new show” spiked, signaling a demand for updates as production continues. Will Dunster return? Negotiations remain fluid. Apple would love at least one cameo to give closure to Jamie’s journey—and to sweeten a potential spinoff built around the women’s squad. For now, though, Ted Lasso Season 4 will kick off its new league without the electric number 9, leaving Richmond fans to imagine a pitch where “Jamie Tartt, doo-doo doo-doo-doo-doo” is suddenly silent. One thing’s certain: the Beautiful Game—and Apple TV+ viewership—won’t be the same without Phil Dunster in every lineup card.