Season four of the popular comedy drama, Ted Lasso, is looking more likely to get the green light, which could bring further growth for businesses in the Richmond area.
The award-winning show follows the inexperienced Coach Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis), who moves to the UK to save the fictional Premier League football team, AFC Richmond.
Previous filming locations for the show have included Richmond Green, Richmond Riverside, The Prince’s Head pub and Paved Court, which have been transformed into tourist hotspots for fans.
Tony Oppitichi works at Heroes of Richmond — a menswear boutique on Golden Court near Richmond Green and is excited about the possibility of a fourth season.
He heard about the show because of the influx of tourists who started visiting the store asking if it sold Ted Lasso merchandise after the first season aired in 2020.
Oppitichi said: “I thought it was a designer brand.”
He explained that Heroes of Richmond are not allowed to sell Ted Lasso-related goods, now that there is an official Ted Lasso store, but because of the popularity of the show, some businesses have found workarounds.
Heroes of Richmond saw improved footfall after series one first aired, and Oppitichi said he was “expecting madness” if a fourth season is renewed.
Oppitichi said: “Before there were only tourists from America but now we have people coming from all over the world.”
He explained the show has and likely will continue to generate money for Richmond businesses, seeing no downside to the series’ prospective return.
Mary Spiteri is the owner of the hat boutique, Titfertat, located near the Prince’s Head pub, Lasso’s regular, which is known as The Crown and Anchor in the show.
Despite not having seen the show, Spiteri is stunned by how it has boosted tourism in Richmond.
Spiteri said: “They film a lot around here because this is a very eclectic area to film in.”
She described fans of the show as being like a religious cult.
Spiteri said: “I am absolutely amazed at the kind of people who have been coming. People are obsessed with it!”
When asked why she thought the show was so popular, Spiteri said it may be due to it being an Apple TV+ series, a platform which draws in audiences internationally.
However, business owner, Lorenzo Ala, who works at Cobblers and Keys, on a street which has been used for filming the show, said he thinks a fourth series would have a lesser impact on footfall to surrounding businesses than Ted Lasso seasons one to three.
Despite this, Ala said a new season could still cause hassle for both Richmond residents and businesses, based on the crowds the cast and crew have previously attracted during filming hours.
He confirmed: “It brings a lot of business to me and my neighbours which is good.
“Ted Lasso has put Richmond on the map.”
According to Deadline, production for a fourth series could begin in early 2025.
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