Brendan Hunt On The Relationship Between Ted Lasso And Coach Beard

As the unflappable and loyal sidekick to Ted Lasso, Brendan Hunt’s Coach Beard is the ever-present calm in the storm that follows AFC Richmond. In real life, however, Hunt admits he isn’t quite as cool under pressure as his character.

“I long to be as zen as he is, but I’m not,” Hunt confessed in a recent interview. He’s so good in the role that one could easily assume he oozes the same clarity in the face of adversity, but alas, he’s a mere mortal like the rest of us, and things do get to him.

“I’m certainly calmer than I used to be, but I’ll never reach his level. I’m also a lot more mouthy than he is and a lot less manly,” he laughed.

Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso was like a warm bear hug when it premiered in August 2020, just as the pandemic reared its ugly head. We were trapped in our homes and made to isolate ourselves, but Ted taught us that despite life’s blows, we could and should believe.

Viewers and critics soaked up Ted’s sunny disposition. The first 10-episode season garnered the comedy series created by Hunt, Bill Lawrence, and Joe Kelly 20 Emmy Awards nominations and seven wins for its brilliant ensemble cast and crew.

The 12-episode second season was also a huge hit, with another 20 nominations and four wins. As for the currently-streaming 12-episode third season, this fan hopes it will also be recognized for its brilliance.

Fans will notice longer episodes this season, and as always, the ensemble cast delivers their lines with impeccable timing. There’s something beautiful about episodes five and six that showcase how incredible these actors and writers are.

In season three, the newly-promoted AFC Richmond faces a wretched series of losses and ridicule as a particularly snarky media predicts the team will land in the last spot in the Premier League.

Jason Sudeikis’ Ted is not one to back down in the face of adversity, counter to Brett Goldstein’s assistant coach Roy Kent who cannot help but wear his heart – and frustrations – on his sleeve. Alongside Coach Beard, they’re determined to prove everyone wrong.

But, as fans know, they have a new enemy in “wonder kid” Nate (Nick Mohammed), who now works for Rupert (Anthony Head) at West Ham United. Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) is as determined as ever to defeat her ex, and Keeley (Juno Temple) juggles running her PR agency and a possible new love. Even if things appear to be falling apart on and off the pitch, with Ted at the helm, there is no problem that cannot be fixed. The team just has to stick together and, of course, believe.

As for the bond between Ted Lasso and Coach Beard, Hunt explains that they have an innate understanding. “They’re best friends. These are just two guys who will always be there for each other. They fill each other’s gaps.”

Hunt adds that it’s not that Coach Beard doesn’t have much to say; he knows to let Ted bask in the limelight. “He just wants to give Ted whatever he needs, and since Ted is really good at talking, there’s no need for Coach Beard to talk. He’s just trying to fill in whatever gaps Ted has; oration is not one of those gaps.”

That friendship isn’t just on camera. Sudeikis pushed for Hunt to get the role during the initial pitch meetings. “I played Coach Beard years ago in some commercials but didn’t have many acting credits. Jason never told me, I heard this second-hand, but in the pitch meetings, Jason said, ‘Ted will have his trusted assistant Coach Beard played by my friend Brendan Hunt, or I’m not that interested in doing it.’ It’s not just Ted who sticks up for his friends. It’s Jason too.”

About that iconic “Believe” sign, Hunt explains that although Ted Lasso is first and foremost a comedy, it’s not as happy-go-lucky as people make it out to be. “The characters are all going through hard things. The show is about how we react to hardship in life, not how we avoid it. The ‘Believe’ sign represents hope. You can live this life being a pessimist or playing it safe, but whether things are going well or not, you might as well believe because you are better off that way. Believing is a better way to go.”

Hunt doesn’t particularly like the show described as a dramedy. “I don’t think serious moments disqualify it from being a comedy. I think that’s what makes the comedy richer. I would push back a little bit against not calling it a comedy. It’s just a comedy that has a lot going on. Comedy comes first and always has with this show. Comedy is still our guiding light.”