10 TV Shows Like Ted Lasso You Should Watch Next
We thought we’d said goodbye to the charming eccentric Ted Lasso back in 2023, but he made a surprise return for season four on Apple TV. Jason Sudeikis, of course, returns as the title character, an American football coach hired by Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) to coach her Richmond FC, despite his inexperience in the sport. After leading the team through a messy divorce, she decided Ted was destined to destroy the franchise her ex-husband loved so much. Of course, we all know how that ended: Ted (and the team) persevered, largely thanks to his indomitable kindness and faith in others. If you’re looking for more shows on streaming platforms with a similarly positive vibe, here are 10 options worth considering—not all of them sports-related, because in 2026, we need to find joy and inspiration wherever we can find it.
Chad Powers (2025 – )
One minute, Russ Holliday (series star and co-creator Glen Powell) is the most famous figure in college football, with a bright future ahead of him. The next, he misses a touchdown and pushes a fan into a wheelchair-bound cancer patient. Not so good! Eight years later, he’s searching for a comeback and, in the spirit of Mrs. Doubtfire , uses prosthetics and a wig to transform himself into Chad Powers, a charmingly naive athlete who signs up for the football team at a tiny college in Georgia. The premise is ridiculous, but Powell’s performance is convincing, and the series becomes more gripping as Russ/Chad is forced to question whether this new persona is a complete sham or who he truly wants to be. Watch Chad Powers on Hulu .
Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
Amy Poehler stars as Leslie Knope, a driven and energetic young woman from the sleepy town of Pawnee, Indiana. Irresistibly cheerful, she’s the deputy director of the local parks and recreation department, and her ambitions stretch all the way to the White House. Her dream is inspiring and a little crazy, but it’s hard not to root for her—at least a little. In the best workplace comedy tradition, her office is full of charming oddballs: stern libertarian Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman); cynical loser Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari); and feisty Donna Meagle (Retta), whose mysterious but certainly turbulent personal life is only hinted at. It’s all sweet and silly, and full of characters determined to do their best, albeit with varying degrees of success. Watch Parks and Recreation on Peacock .
Inside Man (2024–)
Another beloved TV star stars in a light, satirical comedy that’s a little more plot-driven than your typical sitcom. Ted Danson plays Charles Nieuwendyk, a down-on-his-luck retired professor and recently widowed man who heeds his daughter’s plea for something to do. He answers a private investigator’s ad for an undercover detective and moves into a San Francisco nursing home in hopes of uncovering who’s stealing jewelry from residents. As he develops empathy for the people he investigates (and lies to), Charlie’s job only gets more complicated. The second season moves to a small liberal arts college and stars Danson’s real-life wife, Mary Steenburgen.Watch Inside Man on Netflix.
Somewhere Somewhere (2022–2024)
Bridget Everett plays Sam Miller, a woman trying to find her way after returning to her hometown to care for her dying sister (don’t worry: the drama is full of comedy, and it’s not as heavy as it sounds). She’s middle-aged and starting over, in a sense, making new friends in a familiar setting where she must confront both the past and the future. Luckily, her love of singing and a community of quirky oddballs help her. It’s another story about someone of a certain age trying to rebuild their life after a traumatic event. Watch “Someone Somewhere” on HBO Max .
Haikyu!! (2014–2020)
One of the best and most beloved anime series of the last decade-plus is a perfect fit for Ted Lasso , even though it’s about a high school volleyball team in Japan. Shoyo Hinata is athletic, albeit short, and determined to play volleyball professionally, regardless of his height. He joins the school club, only to discover he’s the only member of the once-mighty team. Eventually, Hinata recruits enough plucky underdogs to try to succeed… but they suffer a crushing defeat in their first game, largely due to Tobio Kageyama, a fierce and brilliant opposing player. Hinata vows revenge, but soon discovers that he and his rival have been placed on the same team. Now they’ll all have to work together if they want to have a chance at the championship.Watch Haikyuu!! on Netflix and Crunchyroll .
Reduction (2023 – )
A fun, funny, and at times serious tragicomedy (the tone is consistent despite the completely different setting) , Downsizing tells the story of cognitive behavioral therapist Jimmy Laird, played by Jason Segal. After the death of his wife a year before the series begins, he falls into depression. Trying to get through the workday after a party, he lectures a cranky patient—not exactly the usual practice. Nevertheless, Jimmy feels rejuvenated, and telling people what he really thinks becomes his new signature move, with varying success. Jessica Williams plays fellow therapist Gabi Evans, perpetually optimistic despite her recent divorce, and Harrison Ford clearly relishes playing Jimmy’s cantankerous boss and mentor. Michael J. Fox joined the cast in the third season, and the series has been renewed for a fourth. Watch Downsizing on Apple TV .
Welcome to Wrexham (2022 – )
This (mostly) lighthearted documentary series, almost certainly inspired by Ted Lasso , chronicles the fortunes of Wrexham Football Club, a Welsh professional football club struggling despite being one of the oldest clubs in the world. In 2020, it was acquired by actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, who, despite having little experience in the sport (sound familiar?), were determined to revive it. The series has already won eight Emmy Awards and won the hearts of viewers and critics alike with its uplifting tone and willingness to laugh at the sometimes naive protagonists. Watch Welcome to Wrexham on Hulu .
Abbott Elementary School (2021 – )
Quinta Brunson ‘s Abbott Elementary , quickly establishing itself as one of the best workplace mockumentaries, follows (mostly) well-meaning characters as they navigate an American education system that doesn’t always reward good intentions. It’s another show that perfectly captures the tone: a group of oddballs who struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and sometimes even succeed. Sheryl Lee Ralph’s 2022 Emmy win went viral, if only because it was well-deserved for the actress, part of an incredibly talented and brilliantly funny cast. Watch Abbott Elementary on Hulu , Disney+ , and HBO Max.
Rooster (2026 – )
The world of Rooster is a bit darker than that of Ted Lasso (it’s more of a comedy-drama), but we’re still playing in a similar sandbox. Greg Russo (Steve Carell) is the author of a series of popular but critically panned detective novels. Despite this, his world quickly crumbles around him within the first few episodes: he starts dating a grad student, and his already complicated relationship with his daughter is further complicated when she accidentally (sort of) sets the house on fire. This is a show about a likable, good-natured character struggling to maintain his principles and worldview while facing a world that happily throws dirt in his face. Watch Rooster on HBO Max .
Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)
Friday Night Lights, which survived more on audience love and critical acclaim than ratings (when that was still possible), ran for five seasons without becoming particularly popular, but it has an impressive track record of success since its end. More of a small-town high school football drama than a comedy, the series nonetheless remains positive and inspiring, even as it explores the ups and (often heartbreaking) downs of the lives of kids, coaches, and families in the tiny town of Dillon, Texas. A reboot is currently in development. Watch Friday Night Lights on Prime Video and Paramount+ .