The final whistle has blown on 'Ted Lasso,' leaving a biscuit-shaped hole in our hearts. The show was more than a comedy; it was a warm hug. It championed optimism, kindness, and the power of a good team. But don't despair.
Shrinking
If you want the closest thing
to a direct successor, 'Shrinking' is it. Co-created by 'Lasso' writer/star Brett Goldstein (the man behind Roy Kent), it shares the same DNA of blending gut-busting laughs with serious emotional depth. The series follows a grieving therapist (Jason Segel) who throws professionalism to the wind and starts telling his patients exactly what he thinks. It’s a show about messy people trying to help other messy people, featuring a brilliant ensemble cast, including a scene-stealing Harrison Ford. Like Ted, Segel’s Jimmy is a man trying to find his way back to the light by helping others, even if his methods are unconventional. You can stream it on Apple TV+.
Abbott Elementary
Swap a soccer pitch for a public school and you get 'Abbott Elementary.' This mockumentary follows a group of endlessly optimistic teachers in an underfunded Philadelphia school. Creator and star Quinta Brunson plays Janine Teagues, an eternal optimist whose belief in making a difference mirrors Ted's own relentless positivity. It’s a workplace comedy built on a found family of dedicated, quirky, and hilarious characters who, despite systemic challenges, refuse to give up on their students or each other. It has the same sharp wit and gigantic heart that made 'Lasso' a phenomenon. Stream it on Hulu and Max.
Parks and Recreation
Before Ted Lasso believed in 'Believe,' Leslie Knope believed in Pawnee, Indiana. From 'Lasso' producer Michael Schur's creative family tree, 'Parks and Recreation' is the spiritual predecessor to optimistic television. It centers on a relentlessly cheerful bureaucrat (Amy Poehler) determined to make her small town a better place, surrounded by a team of lovable oddballs. The show proves that a group of people with a shared purpose can become a powerful, hilarious, and deeply moving found family. It’s a masterclass in feel-good comedy. You can find all seven seasons on Peacock.
Schitt's Creek
At first glance, the cynical Rose family seems like the opposite of 'Ted Lasso.' But their journey is pure 'Lasso.' After losing their fortune, the formerly wealthy Roses are forced to relocate to a small town they once bought as a joke. What begins as a fishoutofwater story about selfish people evolves into a beautiful, hilarious, and incredibly moving tale about discovering what truly matters: community, family, and self_acceptance. It’s about flawed people finding their better selves, a core theme of Ted's time at AFC Richmond. Watch the transformation on Hulu.
The Good Place
What does it mean to be a good person? 'Ted Lasso' explored this through kindness and teamwork; 'The Good Place' explores it through philosophy and frozen yogurt in the afterlife. Also from Michael Schur, this series follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), a woman who mistakenly ends up in a heavenlike utopia and must hide her morally corrupt past. It’s a highconcept sitcom that is both brilliantly funny and profoundly thoughtful, assembling an unlikely team who have to learn to rely on each other to become better people. It delivers the same satisfying blend of comedy and soulsearching. Stream it on Netflix or Peacock.
Acapulco
For a pure dose of sunny optimism, look no further than 'Acapulco.' Told in flashbacks, the series follows the journey of a young man named Máximo who lands his dream job at a luxurious resort in 1984. The show is a vibrant, warm, and funny story about ambition, family, and navigating a complicated new world without losing your moral compass. Máximo’s wideeyed determination to succeed against the odds will feel very familiar to anyone who rooted for Ted’s success at Richmond. It’s a charming and heartfelt series you can watch on Apple TV+.
Trying
If the emotional heart of 'Ted Lasso' was what you loved most, 'Trying' is your perfect match. This British comedy follows a charming couple, Nikki and Jason, on their chaotic journey to adopt a child. It’s a series that excels at balancing hilarious, awkward life moments with genuinely touching and poignant emotional beats. The show is grounded in the reality of modern relationships and the desire to build a family, and it is filled with the same brand of earnest, lovable characters that populated Richmond. It’s another gem available on Apple TV+.
