Ted Lasso kills off original pub landlady Mae and pays tribute to Anthony Head in heartbreaking episode

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026 · last updated 1 October 2026.

Annette Badland's Mae Green, landlady of The Crown & Anchor and a fan favourite since Ted Lasso's very first episode, dies in season four's penultimate instalment after collapsing at an away match. Badland revealed she was "devastated" when Jason Sudeikis broke the news, and immediately asked if Mae could return as an angel — prompting Sudeikis to add a presence for the character in the finale.

The episode, titled 'Mae Rides the Bus', ended with a deeply moving 'In Memory of Anthony Head' card honouring the actor, who died aged 72 on June 1.

Head, who played original antagonist Rupert Mannion, passed away from pneumonia complications months after production on the fourth season had already wrapped.