Ted Lasso’s Stephen Manas on Why Season 2 is ‘Another Kind of Perfection’ [Interview]

Ted Lasso’s Stephen Manas says the series came at the right time in his own personal life. Of course, that’s true for many other people as well, including its devoted viewers.

I recently had the chance to chat with Manas about his role as Richard Montlaur on Ted Lasso, what viewers can expect from Season 2, and the joy and comfort the Apple TV+ series continues to bring. (You can watch the full video below.) 

Manas told me that when he answered a casting call for the series, it wasn’t specifically stated that it had to be someone French. 

“I don’t think they had any idea of what nationality it should be,” he said. Instead, the casting call just specified that they were looking for someone who was young and “not English.”

Though being French certainly made sense, and it might have helped Manas end up on the series. “I have to thank my French team for winning the World Cup in 2018,” Manas laughed, suggesting that perhaps that helped them to choose a French actor for the role.

As for what we can expect from Ted Lasso Season 2, Manas said the season was able to explore new topics, adding that there would also be “new couples” as well as more football time and team building. The season is a little more complex than the first, and it takes some new risks.

“If we just do Ted Lasso the same as Season 1, okay, that’s good. But it’s not great. You don’t take any risks, you don’t evolve that much.” While Ted Lasso Season 1 feels pretty perfect, “they have to make another kind of perfection,” he said.

“I think people won’t be disappointed,” he added. “We try to still keep the joy and the goal of believing in everything we’re doing.”

Watch the full interview with Stephen Manas:

Manas also said he has “a little more screen time than the first season” and that we can expect some good punchlines from Richard. 

Manas discussed what he enjoys about his character as well, likening him to the show’s namesake, in a way. 

“I like this character. He’s a little like me,” Manas said. “Quite simple, honest, and he loves having fun.”

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*Featured image credit: Nicholas Dawkes

Ted Lasso airs Fridays on Apple TV+. The Ted Lasso Season 2 premiere is now streaming.

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