- Primary Subject: Jamie Tartt’s absence in Ted Lasso Season 4
- Key Update: The premiere of Ted Lasso Season 4 revealed why Jamie Tartt is not in AFC Richmond anymore, neatly resolving actor Phil Dunster’s scheduling conflicts.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: August 6, 2026
- Quick Answer: Ted Lasso Season 4 reveals Jamie Tartt joined FC Barcelona, explaining Phil Dunster’s absence due to scheduling conflicts with HBO’s series Rooster.
The premiere episode of the fourth season of Ted Lasso explained why fan-favorite character Jamie Tartt is no longer part of AFC Richmond.
The hit Apple TV sports dramedy series is back with a new season after a three-year absence. While most of the main characters were brought back, some of the fan-favorites did not return, including Phil Dunster's Jamie Tartt. Audiences have been wondering how his absence would be addressed.
How the Ted Lasso Season 4 Premiere Addressed Jamie Tartt's Absence
Jamie Tartt's fate was revealed in the recently aired premiere of Ted Lasso Season 4, giving fans an explanation of why he is not making an appearance in the show's return.
As it turns out, the fan-favorite character has moved on from AFC Richmond, and he is now playing for FC Barcelona.
It was a convenient way for the writers to explain Jamie Tartt's absence in the new season, given that Phil Dunster was not available to return since he was filming for the HBO series Rooster (which is also from Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence).
In an interview with Variety, Ted Lasso co-showrunner and star Brendan Hunt explained why they decided for Jamie Tartt to move on to another football team to explain his absence.
"Phil was going to be busy, but also, it would have strained credulity a bit further than we wanted to if all the old team were still on Richmond. If this team is doing so well, then the best players would be gone. They’d be bought by bigger clubs," he said.
Jamie Tartt's absence paves the way for the new season to focus on Roy Kent and Keeley Jones' storyline without any love triangle angle like in the third season.
"The two of them have a chemistry together, whether they are being romantic or not. We’ll see if that can get back to anything proper as we go," Hunt teased.
What Is Ted Lasso Season 4 About?
In the fourth season of Ted Lasso, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second-division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.
The cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern, and Grant Feely.
The premiere episode was released recently on Apple TV and will be followed by new episodes every Wednesday through October 7.
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