Apple TV’s Ted Lasso referenced Anthony Head‘s villainous Rupert Mannion character a few times in Season 4 and paid tribute to the actor, who died on June 1 at the age of 72, with an “In Memoriam” card in Episode 409. But there could’ve been more, according to Ted Lasso co-creator, executive producer and star Brandan Hunt.
“We had an outside hope of bringing him back in the last episode,” he said about possibly featuring Head in the Season 4 finale, which he co-wrote with fellow Ted Lasso co-creator, executive producer and star Jason Sudeikis. “We were told that that was not going to be possible. So yeah, we had an idea for a little thing but it was not going to happen.”
Head’s health issues prior to his death from pneumonia complications have not been made public.
“I assumed he would be in this last [season], and didn’t know, as I think very few people knew, he was ill and just couldn’t do it,” Annette Badland, who played Mae on the show, told Deadline last week.
Rupert’s Season 4 story arc kicked off in Episode 8 when was suspected of secretly buying out AFC Richmond shares in an attempt to regain control over the football club from his ex-wife Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham). By the end of Season 9, it was revealed that the culprit is Rebecca’s supposed ally and backer of the Richmond’s woman’s football team, Zelda (Tracey Ullman).
Head likely would’ve appeared in the finale’s shareholders meeting showdown scene.
Since Season 4 wrapped production ahead of Head’s death, will his character Rupert also pass away on Ted Lasso in Season 5 per storied TV tradition? (Ted Lasso has not been renewed yet but that is expected shortly.)
“I don’t know,” Hunt said. “I mean, he didn’t pass until after we shot everything, so we’ll have to figure that out when and if we get the chance to reconvene.”
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