A Farewell in the Stands
The ninth episode of Ted Lasso's fourth season, called Mae Rides The Bus, brings an end to Mae Green, the owner of the Crown & Anchor pub who has been part of the show since its first year. She passes away while watching the Lady Greyhounds play an away game against Bristol City, seated among the supporters rather than in a VIP box. Annette Badland, who portrays Mae, told Deadline that she was not informed of the character's fate until roughly November, only about an episode before the scene was shot. She described her initial reaction as shock but also expressed pride in being part of the series, which she believes resonates because audiences sense its sincerity.[S1]
In the storyline, Mae had mentioned that a two-and-a-half-hour drive would be difficult given her age, so Ted and Coach Beard invite her to join the team bus. The players welcome her as one of their own during the trip. Badland said she was thrilled when the fourth season introduced the women's team, calling the actresses tremendous and full of energy. She noted that the pub quiz scene took a couple of days to film and felt like a tidal wave of enthusiasm. According to Badland, Mae could not play football herself but continued to defy expectations and support others, which she considers a compelling narrative.[S1]
Mae's Defiant Spirit and Legacy
Badland explained that Mae refused to be invisible as an older woman, a trait the actress admires. She said Mae would defend those she cared about fiercely and would not allow herself to be sidelined. In one scene, Mae gives a speech in the locker room before the match, and Badland approached it with the idea of not giving in. She also noted that Mae chose to sit with the dedicated fans who scraped together money for tickets rather than with Rebecca and the others in the box, because Mae did not fit into a hierarchy and preferred to be where the real fun was.[S1]
In this episode, viewers learn that Mae had built up a sizable stake in the club, and Badland explained that her character puts those shares to productive use, having laid out specific and rather clever instructions for how they should be handled. As for Mae's dynamic with Ted's son, Badland described the young performer as a joy and said the two shared an easy rapport, adding only that he has since mastered the art of the tea towel. Turning to Keeley's pregnancy, also revealed in this installment, Badland spoke about life's ongoing cycle, observing that time moves forward and fresh generations arrive. She expressed happiness for Keeley while also sympathizing with Roy.[S1]
