When Ted Lasso first premiered on Apple TV+ in August 2020, it immediately made waves for having a deep bench of compelling supporting players to act opposite lead Jason Sudeikis. But with the utmost respect to Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, and everyone else in the AFC Richmond football team’s orbit, it was Brett Goldstein’s Roy Kent who jumped off the screen in particular. Loosely inspired by the real life footballer Roy Keane, Roy Kent is a veteran at the tail end of his career whose gruff exterior (including multiple profanities and damn near monosyllabic speech patterns) neatly cover up a vibrant inner sensitivity. In embodying the surprisingly deep Kent, Goldstein won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2021 and there’s no reason he can’t win it again this year. Before Ted Lasso, Goldstein had a successful career as an actor, writer, and comedian in the U.K. In fact, he was hired as a writer on Lasso before producers wisely realized he would fit the role of Roy Kent perfectly. Goldstein has written for UK comedy luminaries like Catherine Tate while producing some of his own content as well. He is the host of the film history podcast Films to Be Buried With and also created AMC anthology series Soulmates alongside Black Mirror writer Will Bridges. Next up, he and Ted Lasso showrunner Bill Lawrence will be producing another project they created in the Jason Segel-starring Shrinking.
Ted Lasso
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ If you somehow came to this article without having seen Ted Lasso, first of all: congrats on being a Brett Goldstein OG, and second of all: watch Ted Lasso. Goldstein’s performance as the world’s crankiest footballer quickly becomes the show’s beating heart. Never will you be able to forget the chant “He’s here, he’s there, he’s every-fucking-where – ROOOY KENTTT ROY KENT!” Here are just some Roy highlights.
Doctor Who
Where to Watch: HBO Max (U.S.), Sky (UK) Can a prominent British actor really exist if they haven’t been involved with Doctor Who in some way? Thankfully, Goldstein joins the ranks of the elite with a (brief) appearance in Doctor Who lore. In Doctor Who series 11 episode 5, “The Tsuranga Conundrum,” Goldstein portrays Astos, the chief medic on board the titular Tsuranga hospital ship. Astos is a decently prominent role but those who watched the episode in question know that Goldstein likely won’t be portraying him any time soon.
Adult Life Skills
Where to Watch: fuboTV (U.S.), Google Play (For purchase in UK)
SuperBob
Where to Watch: fuobTV (U.S.), Freevee (UK) A critical role in any serious actor’s repertoire nowadays is that of a superhero. With low budget comedy SuperBob, Brett Goldstein (sort of) fulfills that role. In this 2015 movie that features a screenplay he co-wrote, Goldstein stars as Bob Kenner, a lowly Peckham postman who develops superpowers after being hit by a meteorite
Drifters
Where to Watch: The Roku Channel (U.S.), Netflix (U.K) The 2013 Channel 4 comedy Drifters deserves a lot of credit for establishing the meme of Brett Goldstein: total hottie. In this four-season series about three female friends adjusting to life after university, Goldstein co-stars as the aptly named “Hot Scott.” Scott is a trainee counsellor who two of the lead characters each have a crush on.
Derek
Where to Watch: Netflix
Bonus – Sesame Street
Where to Watch: Right here So Brett’s favorite letter is “f” huh? That tracks.
