Is there DEI in Ted Lasso?

The biggest factors in our score are Identity-driven story themes, Woke representation / casting, Anti-woke backlash and complaints. Ted Lasso, an American football coach, moves to England when he's hired to manage a soccer team—despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, will he get them to see the Ted Lasso Way?

TV Show review

Ted Lasso

Name: Is Ted Lasso woke?
Item: Ted Lasso
Rating: 60
Author: Woke or Not

Review basis: 4 seasons · through May 30, 2023

August 14, 2020 · TV-MA · Returning Series

Woke Score

60%

Lower is better

8.8 / 10IMDb↗90%Critics86%Audience↗

ComedyDrama

Review

Summary

Ted Lasso follows an American college football coach hired to manage a struggling English soccer team despite having zero soccer experience. He wins over cynical players and staff through relentless optimism, kindness, and a "believe" mentality across three seasons of comedy-drama. Season 3 adds more visible storylines around a gay player coming out, a bisexual female character’s romance, a Nigerian player’s racism and immigration experiences, and light critiques of political rhetoric and corporate sponsors.

Breakdown

Factors & Ratings

These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Ted Lasso.

Woke representation / casting

Diverse international cast (Nigerian, Indian, and other players) fits a real London Premier League team naturally. Season 3 gives prominent, audience-visible arcs to three LGBTQ+ characters (gay player’s coming out and team acceptance, gay journalist, bisexual woman’s romance), adding clear queer emphasis.

48%

Woke political dialogue

Occasional in season 3, including a player criticizing an anti-immigrant politician and exploitative sponsor. No extended lectures or dominant ideological monologues.

32%

Identity-driven story themes

Season 3 centers coming-out stories, homophobia in sports, racism, and immigration alongside mental health. Earlier seasons focus more on universal personal growth; later ones make identity elements more explicit and noticeable.

52%

Western institutional / cultural critique

Shows toxic masculinity and homophobia as personal and team obstacles overcome by support and kindness. Light nods to political rhetoric and corporate issues via character actions, but framed as individual redemption rather than systemic activist critique.

Production

Production companies: Doozer, Warner Bros. Television, Universal Television, Ruby's Tuna
Networks: Apple TV
Studio/network: Apple TV

Main Cast

Jason Sudeikisas Ted Lasso
Hannah Waddinghamas Rebecca Welton
Jeremy Swiftas Leslie Higgins
Phil Dunsteras Jamie Tartt
Brett Goldsteinas Roy Kent
Brendan Huntas Coach Beard
Nick Mohammedas Nathan Shelley
Sarah Nilesas Dr. Sharon Fieldstone

Director & Crew

Theo ParkCasting Director44 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Phoebe WalshWriter12 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Andrew WarrenProducer12 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Brett GoldsteinWriter10 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Tina PawlikProducer10 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Declan LowneyDirector8 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).

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