Ted Lasso was confirmed to be returning for a fourth season in March this year, but will Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor be reprising her role of Sassy alongside Jason Sudeikis?
Actress and comedian Ellie Taylor has revealed whether or not she will be returning for the new series of Ted Lasso. The Strictly Come Dancing star appeared alongside Jason Sudeikis in all three seasons of the popular Apple TV series.
Ted Lasso wrapped things up, seemingly for good, in May 2023, but it was announced in March that the Emmy award-winning series will be returning for a fourth series, with executive producer Jason set to reprise his titular role of the American AFC Richmond coach.
Announcing the surprise series, Jason, 49, said: “As we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to ‘look before we leap’, in season four the folks at AFC Richmond learn to leap before they look, discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be.”
Among the other stars of Ted Lasso are comedian Nick Mohammed, Juno Temple, Phil Dunster and Game Of Thrones star Hannah Waddingham. Ellie – who is working with Intrepid Travel to campaign for more female-fronted travel shows – played the supporting role of Flo ‘Sassy’ Collins, best friend of Hannah’s character Rebecca Welton.
Hannah has revealed she is reprising her role as the owner of AFC Richmond when the fourth series begins shooting in July, but will Sassy be by Rebecca’s side once again? Ellie isn’t sure.
“Oh, I have no idea,” Ellie admitted earlier this week when asked if she was returning to the hit Apple TV series. “I mean, I know as much as you do about Ted Lasso. I’m delighted that it’s coming back and I’ll be avidly watching for sure.”
“I can’t imagine anyone who was involved with the original series would not want to go back,” Ellie mused when quizzed on if she wants to play Sassy one more time. “It was a joy to be a part of. I feel really lucky to have been part of such a show that is so well regarded and mean so much to so many people.”
Ellie may not be filming (yet) but she’s keeping busy with a mammoth task – trying to shake up the male, pale and stale world of travel TV. The comedian has teamed up with Intrepid Travel to back a campaign for more women fronting travel shows.
According to Intrepid Travel, less than a quarter (23%) of travel programmes commissioned last year were hosted solely by female presenters, despite almost half of women wanting to have some representation on screen to highlight the unique issues female travellers can experience.
“I’ve spent my career challenging outdated attitudes, and travel TV is long overdue for a shake-up. It’s wild that last year in 2024 only 23% of travel shows were hosted by women, despite the fact that so many women are passionate about travel, exploration, and storytelling. Intrepid found 48% of people consider travel to be a male-dominated industry, but it shouldn’t be!” Ellie said of her new gig.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Intrepid Travel to shine a light on this issue – and to do it in a way that makes people laugh while still making a serious point. We’re not just calling out the disparity, we’re also starting a conversation about what needs to change, and hopefully, inspiring networks to rethink who they put in the spotlight.”
In a bid to inspire commissioners to cater to the real interests of audiences, Intrepid Travel has teamed up with TV producer Nicola Hebden (known for Travel Man and Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father) to devise a proposal for an innovative new travel series – Travel Ann.
The programme will follow Ellie as she encounters remarkable women across the globe who have committed their lives to effecting significant change in their local communities. These are women who are pushing boundaries and redefining leadership within the realms of travel and conservation.
In one suggested episode, Ellie spends time with The Black Mambas – the world’s first and only all-female, unarmed anti-poaching unit – who are safeguarding endangered wildlife and inspiring a new wave of female conservationists.
Travel Ann is in the process of being pitched to major UK TV networks for a 6 episode run. Further information on the TV series can be found here.
Source: Mirror
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