‘Ted Lasso’: Dr. Sharon Fieldstone Is ‘Another Hill for Ted to Climb’, Coach Beard Brendan Hunt Says
Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) is giving Ted Lasso fans some insight into season 2’s Dr. Sharon Fieldstone. Played by I May Destroy You alum Sarah Niles, the sports psychologist is a new addition to AFC Richmond. Hunt, who also helped create the Apple original series, says the doctor brings a “different dynamic” to Ted Lasso.
Dr. Sharon Fieldstone stays at AFC Richmond after helping Dani Rojas in the season 2 opener
Ted Lasso Season 2 began with the death of the team’s mascot. Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernández) sent a ball sailing toward the goal during a match. Just as it was about to land in the net Richmond’s mascot, a greyhound named Earl, lunged toward a bird and collided with the ball.
The death of the dog left Rojas reeling. Unconsolable after the match the normally positive and happy-to-be-here player had nightmares about Earl. On the pitch, Rojas could no longer score a goal.
The Diamond Dogs assembled and Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift) suggested the team bring in a sports psychologist. Jason Sudeikis’ coach Lasso reluctantly agreed. Dr. Fieldstone worked with Rojas until he went back to being his usual “football is life” self prompting Higgings to keep her on for the entire season.
Coach Beard’s Brendan Hunt says Dr. Sharon Fieldstone presents ‘another hill for Ted to climb’
In a July 2021 Collider interview ahead of the show’s season 2 premiere Hunt discussed the addition of Dr. Fieldstone. She stands out in contrast to everyone at Richmond who has embraced coach Lasso.
The team’s new owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), and Higgins greet Ted like he’s Norm from Cheers. But not Dr. Fieldstone. She’s not up for his jokes or even a bite of one of his famous homemade biscuits. Instead, she’s a quiet observer, according to Hunt.
She’s “now actively studying Ted, while she’s giving him nothing,” he explained. “It’s just a different dynamic and another hill for Ted to climb.”
In turn, coach Lasso tries even harder to connect with Dr. Fieldstone. He calls her “Doc” much to her dismay and tries unsuccessfully to bond over books.
The team embraces Dr. Sharon Fieldstone but Jason Sudeikis’ character is still apprehensive
While coach Lasso tries to connect with Dr. Fieldstone it’s clear the Richmond players appreciate her presence. Colin Hughes (Billy Harris) and a number of others sit down for a private session with her in the season opener.
Meanwhile, Lasso’s still not sure about therapy because of a past experience in counseling with his ex-wife. He asks Rebecca if she’s ever done it to which she says she doesn’t need therapy because she can identify her own issues and talk to friends about her feelings.
Sudeikis’ character agrees but there are hints the two have things they’d like to discuss (Perhaps those panic attacks from season 1 or the impact Rebecca’s ex-husband had on her?).
Ted Lasso Season 2 airs on AppleTV+ with a new episode dropping every Friday at 3 a.m. EST.
