'Ted Lasso's Most Devastating Character Death Just Completely Redefined Apple TV’s Hit Comedy

Published Sep 30, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT

Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics.

Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 9.

Ted Lasso has consistently emphasized the real emotional center of AFC Richmond, reminding viewers that football is more than a game. The Apple TV series even introduces several of Richmond's most dedicated fans, and that is why the ending of Season 4, Episode 9, "Mae Rides the Bus," hurts so much. Though the episode itself dedicated to the late Anthony Head, who played Rupert Mannion, it's Mae Green (Annette Badland) who will have fans in tears before the credits roll.

Mae has been part of the story since Ted Lasso Season 1. The owner of the Crown & Anchor pub and a devoted Richmond fan, Mae never fails to speak her mind, delivering life lessons alongside pints. Season 4's latest episode puts more focus on her than ever before, but it comes at a cost. After Mae addresses how important Richmond's women's team is, despite the challenges they face, the episode ends in tragedy.

Mae Is 'Ted Lasso' Season 4's Penultimate Twist

While Episode 9 delivers the victory AFC Richmond's women's team has been waiting for, things don't end happily for the Lady Greyhounds. After Mae turns down her seat in Rebecca's (Hannah Waddingham) box to sit in the supporters' section, she watches the intense match, cheering loudly and forgoing her break before the second half to dance to "Jump Around" (which is quickly becoming the most dangerous tune in Ted Lasso). The episode concludes with a stadium worker telling Rebecca about "an incident" involving Mae before Rebecca shares the upsetting news with Ted (Jason Sudeikis), whose reaction reinforces the tragedy of the moment. The episode doesn't confirm exactly what happened, but the ending implies Mae either passed away or is in critical condition. Without these details, Mae's collapse leaves a major cliffhanger heading into the Season 4 finale.

Mae's fate makes the episode's ending bittersweet, despite the team's victory, and it could have dire consequences moving forward. Mae has quickly become Ted's greatest supporter, as he not only lives above her pub as of Season 4 but often relies on her help with his son. Whatever happens to Mae will not only have an emotional impact on Ted, but likely the entire team. The Lady Greyhounds have too few supporters, and, in addition to being their number one fan, Mae owns several shares in the club she's refused to sell, at least under normal circumstances. While Ted Lasso's latest twist involving Mae still leaves plenty of questions unanswered, one thing is clear: it's a devastating blow for both the characters and the audience.

'Ted Lasso' Season 4 Proves Mae Is the Heart of AFC Richmond

Mae doesn't have a main role in Ted Lasso's first three seasons, yet she plays a significant part in the overall story as one of the few Richmond faithful willing to embrace Ted as the new football coach early on. Most recently, she has been the women's team's biggest supporter in Season 4, constantly attending their games. In this week's episode, Mae encourages the Lady Greyhounds by highlighting the importance of having a women's team in the first place. In her speech to the players, she reveals she wasn't allowed to follow her dreams of being a footballer (though she admits that even if she had, she didn't have the skill to go far). Through Mae's rousing message, Ted Lasso shows why the women's team matters so much, despite lacking both resources and publicity.

Mae's story ultimately inspires the team, and though their victory is the culmination of their hard work, Ted Lasso always stands by the power of belief — which includes Mae's abiding faith in the Lady Greyhounds. While Ted Lasso's most recent tragedy is a blow, it can never take away the impact Mae has had as AFC Richmond's most devoted fan.

Ted Lasso Season 4 is streaming on Apple TV with new episodes on Wednesdays.