In a surprising narrative twist, Apple TV's 'Ted Lasso' Season 4 bids a heartfelt farewell to Crown & Anchor pub owner Mae Green during a pivotal away match against Bristol City. Veteran actress Annette Badland opens up about the character's final moments, transitioning to the Lady Greyhounds dynamic, and leaving an unforgettable legacy on the hit comedy series.
SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers for Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 9, titled "Mae Rides The Bus," which is currently streaming on Apple TV. The title of the second-to-last episode of Ted Lasso Season 4 heavily hints at a bittersweet goodbye to a beloved character who has been an integral part of the AFC Richmond ecosystem since the very first season. Episode 9 bids a permanent farewell to Richmond's own Mae Green, brilliantly portrayed by Annette Badland, who passes away doing what she genuinely loves: supporting the Lady Greyhounds at their crucial away match against Bristol City right from the stadium stands.
The emotional trajectory of the episode unfolds when the Crown & Anchor pub owner is warmly invited to take the team bus to the away game. Mae had previously hinted that it would be remarkably difficult for someone with her "level of seasoning" to endure the grueling two-and-a-half-hour drive independently. Sensing the opportunity for deeper community bonding, Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) step in to invite her onto the shuttle alongside all of the players. The athletes warmly embrace Mae as one of their own during the drive, cementing a powerful cross-generational bond.
Reflecting on this poignant sequence, Annette Badland shared her perspective with industry reporters on how the character's journey culminated. "That's what happens. You're involved with folks, and they disappear. They go, and she loved her life," Badland told Deadline. "She made the very best of her life and really relished it. So she went, I suppose, for her, in the very best way." This graceful exit honors the rugged, independent spirit that fans of the Apple TV comedy have cherished since the show's inception, transitioning the pub owner from a sideline fixture into an active passenger on the team's ultimate voyage.
The fourth season of Ted Lasso brought a massive shift in creative direction, pivoting significant narrative focus toward the Lady Greyhounds. For Badland, this evolution offered a fresh, effervescent dynamic that reinvigorated her experience on set. The actress expressed profound enthusiasm for working alongside the new ensemble cast, noting how the influx of youthful athletic energy transformed the atmosphere of the production and added new layers of warmth and camaraderie to the beloved series.
"I love the Lionesses, so I was thrilled when [Season 4] happened, and the girls are tremendous and effervescent and glorious to be around. The pub quiz scene took a couple of days to shoot, but that was like a tidal wave coming," Badland said, recalling the vibrant energy of the younger cast members. "They are just so full of energy and life. So that was just something wonderful to be involved in, and just enhanced all the feelings and the camaraderie. And Mae couldn't play football, wasn't allowed to play football, I'm sure she's had a lot of bad stuff in her life, but she just carries on and defies the odds and just keeps on pitching. That's an excellent story to tell."
This transition from the men's team dynamic that dominated the first three seasons to the trailblazing world of the Lady Greyhounds allowed Mae's character to mentor and intersect with a completely different facet of Richmond athletics. In the wake of these sweeping creative changes, viewers have witnessed a revitalization of the show's core themes: resilience, inclusion, and the relentless pursuit of community in the face of institutional or personal odds.
Transitioning into the behind-the-scenes reality of television production, Badland discussed the timeline of learning about Mae's sudden departure. Remarkably, the veteran actress was not informed about her character's fate when she initially signed on for Season 4. Instead, the major plot twist was revealed to her relatively late in the production schedule, closer to the filming of Episode 9 in November, requiring an immediate and trusting artistic adaptation.
"No, I didn't know, and I didn't know till about, I suppose, maybe November. We were only an episode away filming that. I was shocked, but I'm very proud being in the show, and I admire Jason [Sudeikis]," Badland explained when asked about her initial reaction. "I think the series is so successful because people smell it's very genuine. The audience know it's not made cynically. It's not a product. It's something Jason wants to say about the world and how we are, so you have to trust that."
Navigating the sudden script direction required deep faith in showrunner Jason Sudeikis's overarching creative vision. Badland detailed the emotional cadence of learning the sequence of events directly from Sudeikis. "I don't know when I'll die. You just don't know. So, being told that it was going to happen quite close to it being filmed, you just have to go. 'Well, that's [that]. He told me in the storyline, so he started at the beginning [with] "I invite her to come, and blah blah, and she won't drive, and then she comes to the grounds and she goes in the bus," and I'm going, "Oh wow, this is…" and then "She passes."' [Gulps.] But hopefully that's what will happen for the audience too."
At the core of Mae Green's characterization is a fierce refusal to accept marginalization, an attribute that defined her memorable speeches and interactions throughout the series. When discussing how she approached pivotal moments - such as the spirited speech delivered in the locker room prior to the match and the lively banter on the team bus - Badland emphasized the importance of portraying an older woman who demands to be seen, heard, and respected on her own terms.
"I think not giving in. She's very outspoken. She's a lioness who will defend you till the nth degree once you've got her heart and respect," Badland noted. Addressing the broader societal themes embedded in her character's arc, she added, "Being an older woman, where you do become invisible, Mae's never going to be invisible. She will not allow that to happen. I get ignored. You'll stand at a counter, and people won't bother, or they'll walk into you. 'You've had your time, move aside.' And Mae would not allow that, and was still in there pitching and relishing."
As the Apple TV smash hit heads toward its dramatic season finale, Mae's powerful legacy will undoubtedly reverberate through the Crown & Anchor pub, the Richmond players, and the dedicated fanbase. By anchoring her character in unapologetic authenticity, Badland has cemented Mae Green as an unforgettable pillar of contemporary television comedy, leaving an indelible mark on the field and in the hearts of viewers worldwide.
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