Following the promotion of the Lady Greyhounds in the penultimate episode of Ted Lasso Season 4, the series has pivoted from celebration to mourning with the sudden death of a cornerstone character. The passing of Mae Green, the longtime proprietor of The Crown and Anchor, sets the stage for a finale that marks an ending for the original Richmond era.
In Episode 9, “Mae Rides the Bus,” Mae (Annette Badland) suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after witnessing the Richmond women’s team secure promotion with a 4-2 victory over Bristol City. The timing of the loss serves as a narrative bridge between the old guard of the Richmond community and the rising prominence of the Lady Greyhounds, led by characters like assistant coach Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds) and star striker Gemma Jay (Abbie Hern).
A Bittersweet Promotion for the Lady Greyhounds
The promotion-clinching win against Bristol City was intended to be the peak of the season for the women’s squad. However, Mae’s death has shifted the focus toward the future of the club’s culture. For the new additions to the coaching staff and roster, the event signifies a transition into larger roles within the AFC Richmond infrastructure.
Alice Chilton, portrayed by Tanya Reynolds, has spent much of Season 4 navigating the pressures of the assistant coaching role, while Abbie Hern’s Gemma Jay has emerged as the offensive face of the team. Their involvement in the final episodes highlights a strategic shift toward the women’s team storyline, which has become a central pillar of the season since it premiered on August 5, 2026.
Boardroom Battles and Personal Revelations
Heading into the Season 4 finale on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, several high-stakes plot threads remain unresolved. The primary conflict involves Zelda (Tracey Ullman), who has acted as the season’s antagonist following the off-screen departure of Rupert Mannion. Zelda has been aggressively attempting to buy up AFC Richmond shares.
On a more personal note, the penultimate episode also revealed that Keeley Jones is pregnant. This development introduces a new dynamic for her relationship with Roy Kent as the season reaches its conclusion. Whether the finale will see a return of Ted Lasso himself remains a subject of intense speculation, though the narrative focus has remained firmly on the expansion of the Richmond universe in his absence.
The finale, scheduled for October 7, is positioned to resolve these ownership disputes and personal arcs. While the death of a fan-favorite character cast a shadow over the penultimate episode, the promotion of the Lady Greyhounds ensures that the club enters the next chapter with a renewed sense of purpose on the pitch.
