Ted Lasso co-creator Brendan Hunt has disclosed that the show's team considered a posthumous appearance for actor Anthony Head in the season four finale. Head, who played Rupert Mannion, died in June from complications due to pneumonia, aged 72, after filming for the fourth season had concluded.
Hunt, who also stars in and executive produces the Apple TV series, told Deadline that they had an "outside hope" of including Head's character in the final episode. However, this was ultimately not possible, with Hunt stating, "We were told that that was not going to be possible."
Head's character was referenced multiple times throughout season four, which concluded on Wednesday, October 7. The show also paid a special tribute to Head with an on-screen message, "In Memory of Anthony Head," at the end of the penultimate episode.
Annette Badland, who portrays pub landlady Mae Green, told Deadline last week that she had assumed Head would be in the final season and was unaware of his illness. Head's character has not been written out of the show, and if a fifth season is renewed, the show's creators will need to address his death within the context of the series.