Ted Lasso is about to make its triumphant return with a brand-new season, which is why star Jason Sudeikis was inspired to reveal what he's learned about parenting while filling the fictional soccer coach's big cleats. The 47-year-old dad of two evidently credits his kids for helping him realistically portray the lovable Ted.
Jason talked about fatherhood while chatting with 'Entertainment Tonight' at third season's premiere.
He shared how difficult it would have been for him to pull off the character of Ted without having the firsthand experience of having children himself.
"I don't think I ever could have portrayed a parent, me personally, effectively in a way that I would have believed until becoming one," he explained. "I don't think I'm a good enough actor to do that kind of make-believe without having that kind of love that enters your life when you have kids."
The show also helps Jason set a good example for his kids.
Jason shares 8-year-old son Otis and 6-year-old daughter Daisy with ex Olivia Wilde, and he credits Ted Lasso with helping him show his kids how it's possible to have a career that you love.
"They know Brendan and Joe real well, and so they see how much we hang out, and laugh and enjoy each other's company, that any of us get the opportunity to find a job where you have so much fun doing it, and if that's the example that myself and Olivia, provide for them, then I'm happy about that," he told Entertainment Tonight, referring to costar Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard) and producer Joe Kelly.
But that doesn't mean the Sudeikis/Wilde kids are in any hurry to follow in their parents' footsteps.
Jason confessed that he isn't really pulling for Otis and Daisy to follow him and Olivia into acting, but he'll support them in whatever they want to be. He joked that Daisy currently has aspirations to be "about 10 different things" when she grows up.
It's been a difficult time for Jason and Olivia.
The pair called off their engagement in November 2020 and then proceeded to have several very public spats in the months and years that followed, including when Jason's legal team had Olivia served with custody paperwork while she was presenting at CinemaCon in August 2022. Their personal drama also made headlines when their former nanny dished details about their tumultuous relationship to the media.
We can't wait to have Ted back on our screen.
Knowing how much Jason relies on his real-life experience as a dad to bring Ted to life has us even more excited about the series' return.
Fans can catch Ted Lasso on Apple TV+ starting March 15. This will be the final installment of the hit show, and we can't wait to see how it all plays out for everyone!
