Nick Mohammed aka Nate the great returns as the new West Ham manager in the hit Apple TV series Ted Lasso season 3 which streams from tomorrow (15th March).
Ted Lasso finally returns this week for its third season. Starring Jason Sudeikis as the hapless US coach somehow managing a team in the Premier League of the fictional AFC Richmond, it is one of Apple TV+’s most watched shows, and has won a string of Emmys.
Mohammed has twice been nominated for the role of Nate, though ultimately didn’t pick up the statuette, but this season may be third time lucky as the character steps out of Lasso’s shadow. He has broken from AFC Richmond and taken over as West Ham manager, becoming the show’s antagonist as a result.
“I’ve never played a villain before in anything,” the actor says, “and it’s such a heel turn in season two, and the way it ended. A lot of people feel betrayed.” He adds with a smile, “And rightly so, they should be feeling that. I’m not condoning Nate’s actions in any way.”
Apple paid West Ham a six figure sum to use West Ham’s branding and logos on the hit series due to air from Wednesday.
For a club that has repeatedly said that it wants to grow it’s “brand”, allowing it to be portrayed as Darth Vader to Ted Lasso’s Luke Skywalker for a measly six figures was dummer than I can comprehend. Then again, thinking about the short termism that has plagued them their entire footballing careers, should I really be shocked?