Jason Sudeikis Says ‘Ted Lasso’ Helped Him Through Self-Harm Thoughts

Asked what he meant when he had previously said the series saved him, Sudeikis answered: “Some form of self-harm. Flat out.” He said the feelings had been absent for years before resurfacing, and traced them to what he called his “confusing teenage years.” Speaking about them publicly was uncomfortable, he added, in part because he felt shame.

Sudeikis described creative work as a way to manage emotions that were difficult to express. As a teenager, he considered becoming a drummer or dancer; later, acting and writing offered a similar outlet. He said working on “Ted Lasso” gave him something to focus on and helped carry him through a difficult period, without claiming it resolved every problem.

The podcast conversation also covered his separation from Olivia Wilde. The former couple, who have two children, ended their relationship in 2020, and their subsequent custody dispute drew significant media attention. Asked what the public had misunderstood, Sudeikis replied, “Oh, gosh. I mean, a million little things.” He said public accounts can leave out important details and spoke positively about Wilde’s professional work.

Sudeikis also said he would like to continue “Ted Lasso,” potentially for a fifth or sixth season, but stressed that no decision had been made. “We haven’t started a writers’ room or anything like that,” he said. Asked whether Apple would want more episodes, he replied, “I would assume so.”