The most recent season of Apple TV+’s hit comedy series Ted Lasso was a bittersweet experience for director Declan Lowney. Lowney has been involved with the show since its first season, both as a director and as a supervising producer. He even won an Emmy for Best Comedy Series for his work on Season 2. However, with the fourth season possibly being the final one, there were high stakes for Lowney, especially because he was responsible for helming the final two episodes.
Lowney acknowledges that Ted Lasso is a unique production, even among other U.K. shows. The series films in the actual town of Richmond, England, and has a larger scale and scope compared to other British productions. While this brought along its own set of challenges, such as coordinating large-scale scenes and working with football matches, Lowney admits that having a bigger production budget was definitely a plus.
The director also reveals that the future of the Ted Lasso universe is still uncertain. Apple has not provided a definite answer about whether the series is properly finished or if spinoffs centered on other characters are in the works. Lowney teasingly suggests that while everyone knew this season could be the end, it is also the end for now. This leaves room for the possibility of future projects set in the Ted Lasso world.
In terms of production, Lowney describes Ted Lasso as a complex show to make. It involves a core cast of 18 characters who interact with each other, as well as football scenes that require coordination with a separate football director. Additionally, different scenes are filmed in different locations, each with its own cast and crew. Lowney explains that in previous seasons, when he served as a supervising producer, he had to organize and coordinate these various elements. However, in the final two episodes of Season 4, which Lowney directed, he faced the challenge of managing a 70-minute episode.
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When it comes to the development of storylines and character arcs, Lowney shares that the process is fluid. Creator and star Jason Sudeikis works closely with the cast, and the characters evolve as the season progresses. Lowney also mentions that there is a lot of improvisation on set, with scenes often expanding from two pages to three or more. It’s this flexibility and collaboration that contribute to the show’s unique charm and larger episode lengths.
With the cast growing larger and episodes becoming longer, one might assume that it would be challenging to maintain the ensemble’s chemistry. However, Lowney states that everyone involved is eager to meet the audience’s appetite for more content. Despite the demanding schedule and the toll it takes on the cast, there is a sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm on set.
In terms of the series finale, Lowney reveals that the cast and crew were aware that this season could be the end of Ted Lasso, at least for now. As they filmed the final episodes, there were discussions about tying up loose ends and leaving room for possible future stories. However, the specifics of what would happen to the characters were mostly kept between the executive producers, and Lowney himself wasn’t privy to those conversations. Filming was also done out of sequence, making it a bit more challenging to piece everything together.
Finally, Lowney reflects on the impact Ted Lasso has had on the British television industry. While he doesn’t believe it has drastically changed the way TV shows are produced in the U.K., he acknowledges that the series’ success has shown the value of investing in quality productions. Ted Lasso’s popularity and critical acclaim have proven that a show with a larger scale and scope can resonate with audiences both domestically and internationally.
In conclusion, the final season of Ted Lasso presented both challenges and rewards for director Declan Lowney. As the series wraps up, the future of the Ted Lasso universe remains uncertain, leaving fans eager for more stories set in this beloved world. With its unique production style and larger-than-life characters, Ted Lasso has left a lasting impact on the television landscape, showcasing the power of a well-crafted comedy series.
