‘Ted Lasso’: Jamie Tartt’s Phil Dunster Says the ‘Real Love Story’ of Season 2 Is Jamie and Roy

Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt are a love story, according to Phil Dunster. The actor who plays Jamie on 'Ted Lasso' said the two soccer players who despise each other are "the real love story" in season 2. "“I think that the great thing about the two of them is that they’re so similar."

by Mandi Kerr

Published on August 13, 2021

2 min read

Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt despise each other on ‘Ted Lasso’

Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt wearing a bright yellow jersey and Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent in a Richmond jersey in 'Ted Lasso' — Phil Dunster and Brett Goldstein in ‘Ted Lasso’ | AppleTV+

In short, Roy and Jamie can’t stand each other. When Ted Lasso viewers first met them in season 1 they could barely be in the same room with each other without arguing. Roy referred to Jamie as a “little prick” while Jamie often teased him about his age, calling him “grandad.”

Despite not getting along the two AFC Richmond players actually have a lot in common. As Roy admitted to coach Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) at the gala in season 1 he was Jamie in his younger years.

By the end of season 1, Roy and Jamie weren’t besties by any means but they were in a better place. They still loathed each other but they’d played together on the field – err, pitch — and had developed a sort of mutual respect.

The last time Ted Lasso viewers saw Roy and Jamie together in season 1 was during Richmond’s match against Manchester City. Roy got a career-ending injury trying to stop Jamie from scoring. The match ended with Jamie scoring the goal that put Richmond in relegation.

Phil Dunster says Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt are ‘the real love story’ of ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 2

Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, and Phil Dunster sit at a table in 'Ted Lasso' — Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, and Phil Dunster in ‘Ted Lasso’ | AppleTV+

During a July 2021 Decider interview, Dunster discussed the romances of Ted Lasso. More specifically, he talked about the love triangle between Jamie, Roy, and Keeley Jones (Juno Temple). Romance is certainly present in season 2 but, according to Dunster, “the real love story” centers around Jamie and Roy.

“I’ll say to you what I said to Brett [Goldstein], to Jason [Sudeikis], to Brendan [Hunt], to Joe Kelly, the creators of the show … the real love story here is Jamie and Roy,” he said. “I think that the great thing about the two of them is that they’re so similar. More similar than they’d—well, I actually think they do know they’re very similar and hate that.”

He also teased that the “dynamic between the three of them” — Keeley, Jamie, and Roy — was going to shift in season 2. “There still is a dynamic there at play that still leads to a lot of conflict and drama,” he said.

Where do Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt stand right now in ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 2?

At the time of publication three episodes of the Emmy-nominated series have aired. So far there have been therapy sessions, more jokes from coach Lasso, and activism from Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh) and the Richmond team. But no major shifts in the relationship between Roy and Jamie. They’re not exactly close so the “love story” Dunster’s referring to must be coming up in season 2.

Ted Lasso Season 2 airs on AppleTV+. A new episode drops every Friday at 12 a.m. PT and 3 a.m. EST.