SPIN chats to Brendan Hunt
SPIN's Sarina Bellissimo caught up with Ted Lasso star, co-creator and writer Brendan Hunt for a chat this week.
They spoke about how the show was inspired by FIFA 2000, the future of the series, his Irish roots and much more.
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Ted Lasso's Roy Kent is based on Roy Keane, so Sarina wanted to know if the football manager had been in touch.
Brendan laughed before explaining how the character came to be, "I just was fascinated by Roy Keane, always was."
"So was Joe and so was Jason."
He said they thought about an, "existing football arc type that [Ted] would have to deal with."
"We could think of no greater obstacle than human bummer Roy Keane in his midst," Brendan said.
"So we gave him a place holder name 'cause like we're not going to base him on Roy Keane... he's just going to be that vibe..."
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Brendan said by the time filming came around, they had decided to keep the name, "Roy Kent."
"So far this has worked out," he said, "We've yet to hear from Mr. Kent's barristers and we'll see if we ever do."
"I'd be delighted to know if he's watching it."
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He added, "It would be as delightful to know he liked the show as it would be to find out that he hates it."
Sarina asked if he'd consider approaching Roy Keane to make a cameo alongside Roy Kent.
Brendan very honestly replied, "I wouldn't approach Roy Keane if he was strapped down."
He joked that you'd be, "Taking your life in your own hands."
Brendan's Irish roots
Sarina also asked Brendan if he has any connection to Ireland, and he revealed he has.
"Yeah, I have Irish on both sides of my family. My mom's family was 100% Irish, in the American way being Irish."
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"My dad was half Irish," he added.
Brendan said he'd been to Ireland a good few times, and actually has family in Doolin.
"That same family is related to Chris O'Dowd. So Chris O'Dowd and I are related by marriage."
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"We've never met, I suspect he still doesn't know who I am, that's fine. I'm a fan anyway."
"I love Ireland, haven't been back in a while and dying to get there."
Ted Lasso season 3
Towards the end of the interview, Brendan revealed Ted Lasso will wrap up after three seasons.
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"The story we set out to tell was always going to be three parts," he revealed.
"So we're going to finish telling that story first and from there... remains to be seen. I don't know one way or another yet and that's the God honest truth."
Watch the full interview here:
Seasons one and two of Ted Lasso are streaming now on Apple TV+.
