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Annette Badland discusses Mae's death in Ted Lasso season 4, episode 9

In interviews with TVLine and Deadline, reported also by Radio Times and The Independent, Annette Badland reflects on the death of her character Mae in "Mae Rides The Bus", the penultimate episode of Ted Lasso season 4.

4 outlets · 1L · 3C · 0R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 4). New coverage since the last version from The Independent. Previously: “Annette Badland on Mae's death in Ted Lasso season 4, episode 9”.

Image: TVLine
Image: The Independent
Image: Deadline
Image: Radio Times

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The story, neutrally told

Episode 9 of Ted Lasso season 4 ends the story of Mae Green, the Crown & Anchor pub owner played by Annette Badland, who has been in the show since its first season. In the episode, Mae rides the team bus with the Lady Greyhounds, tells the players about the football career she never had, and watches them win. Rebecca then receives word that Mae has died; Radio Times notes the audience does not hear what she is told.

Badland told TVLine she learned of Mae's fate close to when she received the script, and told Deadline she found out around November, when filming was about an episode away. She said Jason Sudeikis told her himself and later changed some of episode 10 after their conversation, though she would not give details. The Independent, citing TV Insider, reports she was "devastated" and asked whether Mae could come back as an angel; Badland said Mae is there "as a presence, if not a full-bodied human being".

Badland called Mae's final day "the best passing she could possibly have" and said Mae "went, I suppose, for her, in the very best way". She linked the story to women's football, saying Mae grew up when women were banned from playing, and described Mae as a "lioness" who protects people once she trusts them. Asked about a funeral in the finale, Badland said it was possible and that Mae would want a big party at the pub; she said Mae is still "within the context" without appearing.

TVLine and Deadline also note the episode's tribute to Anthony Head, who played Rupert; Badland told Deadline it was an honour to be in an episode dedicated to him.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Short news piece led by Badland being "devastated" and the character being "killed off", with Mae's death recapped in detail.
Emphasis
Emotional reaction, the angel request, the changes to episode 10, and the show not originally being planned beyond three seasons.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the funeral or party possibility, the Anthony Head tribute, or the women's football theme.
Charged language
“killed off”“devastated”
For example
“Original Ted Lasso star left ‘devastated’ after being killed off series” — The Independent
“Ted Lasso has killed off a fan favourite character” — The Independent

Centre3 outlets

Framing
Interview-driven pieces: TVLine runs a full Q&A on Mae's arc, Deadline a fuller interview, and Radio Times a shorter write-up of the Deadline interview.
Emphasis
Mae's final day, women's football, the pub, the finale, and the Anthony Head tribute; Radio Times adds the Zelda shares storyline.
Leaves out or plays down
None of the three mentions the angel request reported by The Independent.
Charged language
“Shocker”“heartbreaking”“bittersweet”
For example
“‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Shocker: Actor Reflects On Death Of OG Character Who “Went In The Very Best Way”” — Deadline
“Ted Lasso season 4 airs heartbreaking goodbye to long-running character - and actor speaks out” — Radio Times
“But the hour's most bittersweet story belonged to Mae” — TVLine

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.