Ted Lasso’s Phil Dunster on Jamie Tartt’s Evolution, Love Triangle and Poopeh in Season 3

TVLINE | Jamie has proven vital progress this yr. I think about it have to be an actual thrill for you, seeing all of the arduous work that Jamie did in Seasons 1 and a pair of repay in Season 3.
Yeah, it’s a kind of issues the place the the writers have laid the groundwork so impeccably for the final three seasons. There’s been such good progress for all of the characters all through the three seasons, and seeing the place Jamie’s at now…. In episode three of Season 3, there’s that second when he says, , I do know a great deal of a great deal of gamers like [Zava]. They’re egocentric, self-involved, regardless of the line is. After which they’re like, “Isn’t that simply you?” You possibly can see the second the place he would have circled and gone, “Effectively, f–okay you,” ? “I’m not like that,” or “I’m higher than him,” and [instead] he takes it on the chin. It’s these little moments.

TVLINE | Sure! I really like when Coach Beard tries to inform him that he’s being ironic, and Jamie factors out that he’s truly being hypocritical. It tells the viewers that Jamie’s smarter than he will get credit score for, and he’s conscious that, sure, he’s the pot calling the Zava-shaped kettle black.
Proper. He’s getting extra syllables into his phrases, which is a large factor for him. In Season 2 [Episode 6], when he makes use of the phrase “philistines,” it’s the completely flawed use of the phrase and he’s standing in the identical place, and it’s Beard who goes, “You’re going to need to lookup ‘philistines.’” It’s a pleasant parallel.

TVLINE | All of those characters have been modified, indirectly, by Ted. However I don’t assume Ted deserves all the credit score for Jamie’s progress. What else (or who else) do you credit score for serving to Jamie turn out to be a extra well-rounded particular person?
I believe Roy has been an enormous affect on his soccer, and is now a robust male affect in his life, however I believe it’s Keeley who has softened him. There are plenty of scenes the place Jamie is listening [to] Keely, and he actually hears what she has to say. Keely is extremely emotionally clever — as is Juno Temple — and it’s good that it comes from a feminine voice. I additionally assume she simply gives a distinct perspective from the machismo that’s flying across the locker room.

TVLINE | As we’ve seen Jamie mature, we’ve additionally seen his private model change — most notably, his hair. This season, he’s rocking a mushroom lower and highlights. Is there a dialog that takes place between you and the producers earlier than each season, about altering Jamie’s look to replicate his development?
That’s led by our make-up designer Nicky Austin. She actually preferred the concept that any emotional shift that Jamie goes by means of is mirrored in how he seems to be — how he attire and the way he kinds. When he moved again to Manchester Metropolis in Season 1, his hair modified then, too.

TVLINE | His present ‘do is giving ’90s boy band vibes.
I’ll take it! I actually like the concept that they had done this NSYNC number in Season 2, and Jamie needed to lookup the lyrics. And when he appeared up the lyrics, he noticed what they appeared like again within the day and was, like, “That appears like Beckham.” But in addition, I’m a follower of soccer tradition, and footballers have totally different hairstyles each couple weeks, so it’s been actually enjoyable to emulate that a part of [the culture].

TVLINE | Let’s discuss a bit extra about Zava. Do you assume Jamie’s resentment of Zava stems from jealousy, or is he legitimately involved concerning the membership relying too closely on its new star participant? Or is it a little bit of each?
I believe there’s a little bit of “a tiger can’t change its stripes,” and this tiger — Jamie — is discovering it somewhat tough to disperse what stripes [he had] earlier than. In Episode 2, when Dani is shedding his s–t over the truth that Zava is coming, Jamie’s like, “No matter, I don’t care,” and he’s insecure about it to a sure extent. But in addition, the content material of what he’s involved about has modified. I think about the viewers sees the formation on the whiteboard [in Episode 3] and is, like, “It doesn’t seem to be a specific Ted Lasso factor to do.” For the primary time, we would truly be on Jamie’s facet [when it comes to Zava].

TVLINE | Have there been every other moments in Season 3 the place Jamie does or says one thing and also you thought to your self, “the Jamie we met in Season 1 would by no means do or say that”?
When he goes to hug Roy and tries to reveals him empathy. I additionally don’t assume that Jamie has scored a purpose but. As a substitute, he’s been setting others up. There’s one other second the place Roy says to him, “If you wish to be nearly as good as Zava, I’ll prepare you,” and Jamie says, “I need to be higher than him.” It doesn’t really feel prefer it comes from a spot of conceitedness; it feels prefer it’s from a spot of ambition. I’m certain you could have another ones….

TVLINE | You alluded to it already — how Jamie tried to indicate Roy empathy when he discovered about Roy and Keeley’s breakup. The larger shock to me was that Jamie didn’t instantly attempt something with Keeley. He’s been, for an absence of higher phrase, a complete “bro.” He hasn’t crossed that line as a result of he doesn’t need to damage Roy.
Yeah… I believe there’s a component of humility. He’s seeing himself as a member of a workforce. I’m going again to Season 1 the place Ted says to Jamie, “You’re so certain that you just’re one in one million that you just typically neglect that you just’re simply certainly one of 11,” and I believe that extends to the friendships that he has [created], and the burgeoning friendship with Roy. He’s changing into a extra conscientious particular person.

TVLINE | How would you describe Jamie’s particular person relationships with Roy and Keeley as get additional into Season 3?
Difficult. A non-linear progress…. It turns into much more opaque what the suitable factor to do is, and who ought to, if anybody ought to, find yourself with one another. It’s not as simple as certainly one of them needs to be with the opposite; it’s way more complicated, and all the characters see it as a fancy conundrum.

TVLINE | There was a scene within the Season 3 trailer the place it seems as if Roy and Keeley are seated in Jamie’s childhood bed room. Are you able to present any context for that scene?
They’re actually seated, and Jamie’s actually there. [Laughs]

TVLINE | On a a lot much less critical be aware, I’ve to ask concerning the web’s favourite factor proper now: the way in which that Jamie says “poop-eh.” Did you could have any concept that was going to explode the way in which that it did?
No, but it surely did actually, actually, actually make Brett [Goldstein] chortle. He usually giggles a bit, however that was the most important pleasure of it for me.

TVLINE | How did you land on that particular pronunciation?
It got here between takes. I used to be simply making an attempt to piss Brett off by saying it as ridiculously as I may. My solely qualm is that individuals write it “poop-ay,” and it’s “poop-eh,” but it surely’s now not my factor. It belongs to different folks now.

TVLINE | I’m certain you’re sick of being requested if that is the ultimate season, so I received’t ask it. As a substitute, I’ll ask you this: How do you are feeling concerning the end result of Jamie’s story on the finish of Season 3?
Actually excited! Actually nice! Actually, I’ve beloved enjoying him and proceed to like to play him. The writers have created such an excellent, absolutely fleshed out character in Jamie.

TVLINE | So, if that is the tip, you’re completely happy?
Yeah. I imply, I’d like to proceed to play him if there’s an opportunity, but when there’s not? C’est la vie, child!

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