The cast of the hit TV show ‘Ted Lasso’ visited the White House this week to discuss the importance of mental health.
Jason Sudeikis, who plays the titular character, told press in the briefing room that such a discussion is very important nowadays, especially in a time and place where disagreement and hostility are common.
“I know in this town, a lot of folks don't always agree right? And don't always feel heard seen listened to," Sudeikis said. "But I truly believe that we should all do our best to help take care of each other."
"No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for. We all know someone who has - or had been that someone ourselves actually - that's struggled, that's felt isolated, that's felt anxious, that has felt alone.”
“It's actually one of the many things that, believe it or not, we all have in common as human beings.”
Such a discussion was very on-brand for the show and its cast. Having just started its third season, the show - which is as wholesome and hilarious as they come - has not shied away from the role mental health plays in everyday life.
Sudiekis’ character suffers from panic attacks throughout the show as he tries to coach a soccer team to Premier League glory, while also juggling a divorce, being separated from his family, and the overall stress that can come from such a public job.
In a 2021 interview with US Weekly, Jason talked about how mental health is one of the key themes of the show.
"In regard to the mental health stuff, it was just there," Sudeikis said. “It's been there forever, but it's really come up a lot in just knowing where the characters were headed and how important it is to work on yourself to help your team.”
“And I think that we were trying to explore that and personify it in a way and kind of trojan horse that there's bigger issues in this fun, silly little comedy show."
Sudeikis was joined by fellow cast members Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Toheeb Jimoh, Cristo Fernandez, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris and James Lance at the White House.
