Anthony Head, ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Buffy’ actor, dead at 72

Ted Lasso paid tribute to Anthony Head in the Season 4 episode “Mae Rides the Bus.” Head, who played the villainous Rupert Mannion in the first three seasons, died who played villainous club owner Rupert Mannion. His daughters listed his cause of death as complications from pneumonia.

The Apple TV show ran an “In Memory of Anthony Head” card at the end of Episode 409, timed to follow the close of Rupert’s two-episode arc in Episodes 408 and 409. Season 4 had wrapped production in January, months before Head’s final onscreen work came in Season 3 of Ted Lasso, which aired in 2023, and the 2024 Prime Video film Upgraded. Given the timing of his death after Season 4 finished filming, any storyline addressing Rupert’s fate would likely land in a potential Season 5, which has not yet been picked up by Apple TV.s passing.

Why the tribute came in Episode 409

According to Deadline, no Season 4 storylines were changed after Head’s death. There had been no formal plans for him to appear, and producers did not approach him about a return.

Rupert re-emerged in Episode 8, when Higgins (Jeremy Swift), with advice from Mae Green, deducted that he had been secretly buying shares to regain control of Richmond. Annette Badland, who played pub owner Mae Green in a storyline that also ended in her character’s death this season, remembered Head warmly.

“He was a beautiful man, and he will be much missed,” Badland told Deadline. “He was charming and funny and generous, and we’d have naughty little sort of asides.”

What it means for fans

Head’s final onscreen work came in Season 3 of Ted Lasso, which aired in 2023, and the 2024 Prime Video film Upgraded, per Deadline. Given the timing of his death after Season 4 finished filming, any storyline addressing Rupert’s fate would likely land in a potential Season 5, which has not yet been picked up by Apple TV.

Head built a decades-long career on British and American television before landing his two best-known American roles.

What’s next

Season 5 has not been picked up by Apple TV yet but is looking good, according to Deadline. Season 4’s finale airs next week.

Reporting from Deadline contributed to this story.