Spoiler alert! This story contains details from the sixth episode of the fourth season of “Ted Lasso” (now streaming). If you haven’t seen it, only read on if you have the memory of a goldfish.
Jamie Tartt is back − and with blonde ambition.
The heartthrob striker, who swapped AFC Richmond for FC Barcelona on “Ted Lasso,” and has remained offscreen for Season 4, returned to the Apple TV comedy in the Sept. 9 episode.
The latest chapter takes place on New Year’s Eve, which Jamie (Phil Dunster) sees as the perfect opportunity to launch Apple Tartt Vodka. Club owner Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), marketing maven Keeley (Juno Temple) and Jamie’s former teammate, Roy (Brett Goldstein), show up for the Garden of Eden-themed soirée. And Jamie made quite
the entrance.
“First, God created Adam,” he told attendees via a voiceover, as women in flowing red wigs danced to a percussion-heavy beat on stage. “And then he thought, ‘You need to get laid, son.’ So he asked Adam, ‘Can I have one of your ribs?’ And Adam said, ‘Of course, Mate. You’re God. Knock yourself out.'"
“And God took that rib and made,” the voiceover continued before Jamie popped out, declaring, “Vodka.”
He appeared holding a bottle of his vodka and sporting just flesh-colored briefs − adorned with a leaf for modesty − and golden blonde hair.
Later in the episode, Jamie told his friends that he missed Richmond and enthusiastically danced to House of Pain’s 1992 hit “Jump Around” with Roy. The bouncing around proved to be too much for the former soccer player and caused Roy to reinjure his knee. Jamie picked Roy up to get him out of the club and to a hospital and directed his party guests to move.
“I’m saving Private Roy!” he proclaimed.
Keeley and Rebecca also escorted Roy to the hospital, where they learned that he’s dating the beautiful doctor Dr. Erin Beaumont (Laura Haddock). Outside Roy’s hospital room, Keeley heard what she thought was an out-of-it Roy declaring his love for Erin. Keeley walked away before realizing that Roy mistook Erin for Keeley.
As it neared midnight, Jamie proposed a New Year’s kiss to Rebecca, and planted one on her forehead. After they see that Rebecca’s boyfriend, Matthijs (Matteo van der Grijn), has paid her a surprise visit, Jamie initiates a group hug for the trio.
Dunster, 34, attended the series’ New York City premiere at the BAM Harvey Theater on Aug. 4. He shared moments from the night on his Instagram in which he embraced Goldstein and held hands with Waddingham. Dunster currently stars in HBO’s comedy “Rooster,” which debuted this spring, as the self-absorbed professor Archie. Filming for Season 2 began in August.
As Season 4 of “Ted Lasso” centers on AFC Richmond’s women’s team, series cocreator Brendan Hunt, who also plays Coach Beard, said each returning character needed a real reason to be present.
“We wanted everyone to have something to do and a purpose in the story, if they were coming [back],” Hunt previously told USA TODAY.
“We're not ‘The Simpsons,’” said Jason Sudeikis, series star, cocreator and executive producer. “All these characters are real people. We can't just draw them. You have to pay for plane tickets and transportation and … snacks. The snacks alone will kill you."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Ted Lasso' fan favorite makes surprise return in Season 4
