Tanya Reynolds on Joining the High-Stakes World of Ted Lasso

Reynolds joined the cast of the Apple TV+ hit as a central figure in the newly formed women’s team, the Lady Greyhounds. While the transition from her previous work in Sex Education felt daunting, she told PEOPLE that the established stars, including Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, dismantled her anxieties by maintaining a remarkably collaborative, ego-free atmosphere on set. Keeping a straight face proved to be her primary hurdle, as the lead duo relied heavily on improvisation, turning routine takes into a test of professional composure.

Beyond the performance, Season 4 introduces a shift in narrative focus. Co-creator Brendan Hunt noted that the Lady Greyhounds operate under distinct constraints, training and competing in facilities separate from the main stadium to reflect the financial realities of the sport. This internal tension serves as a backdrop for the season, as the team fights for legitimacy among supporters who fear that prioritizing the women’s squad might dilute the club’s traditional resources. For Reynolds, the show’s emphasis on optimism and communication provided a necessary respite from the darker, violence-heavy scripts currently dominating television, offering the kind of uplifting storytelling she personally craves.