 |
| Keeley Hazell makes shocking claims about ‘Ted Lasso’ lead female character |
A Role Almost Written for Keeley Hazell: Jason Sudeikis’ Ted Lasso Revelation
Jason Sudeikis
Originally Wrote Ted Lasso
Role “Keeley” for Ex Keeley Hazell, Memoir Reveals.
Keeley Hazell reveals in
her memoir that Jason Sudeikis wrote the lead female role in Ted Lasso with her in mind.
Though she auditioned and came close, the iconic character ultimately went to
Juno Temple.
Keeley Hazell makes shocking claims about ‘Ted Lasso’ lead female characterKeeley Hazell has revealed she came close to landing a major role in Ted Lasso, a character that was directly inspired by her. In her new memoir, Everyone’s Seen My Tits, the actress shared...
In her revealing memoir Everyone’s Seen My Tits, actress Keeley Hazell
shares a startling insight: Jason Sudeikis
once wrote the lead female character Keeley in Ted Lasso with her in mind. Before
Juno Temple ultimately took on the role, Hazell recalls the twist of being
nearly the face of a character that would become a fan favorite.
A
Close Miss—and Emotional Fallout
Hazell
writes candidly about the excitement of being involved early on. “The idea of
me being a lead in a TV show was enough to make me wet my pants with excitement,”
she recalls, describing her early meetings with Sudeikis and auditioning
multiple times. She was reportedly at the top of the list—so much so that
Sudeikis, who played Ted, even read scenes with her during the final round.
Nevertheless, the part went to Juno Temple, leaving Hazell feeling blindsided.
“[I] decided that acting could go f--- itself,” she confesses.
However,
Hazell didn’t completely walk away from Ted
Lasso. She later appeared in a smaller role as Bex and dipped into
producing on Love Island. Reflecting on
how the public reacted to her name, she wrote about awkward moments—like when a
server mentioned “Keeley” and she recognized she’d taken something steeped in
fiction.
Why
This Matters Beyond Hollywood
Hazell’s
story isn’t just about disappointment—it’s about connection, identity, and
hearing your name in the cultural echo chamber. She notes that while she may
not resemble her fictional counterpart, Keeley Jones defied stereotypes and
broadened perceptions of women on screen. That matters—especially coming from
someone re-evaluating her own path in acting and feminism.
Sudeikis writing the role for Hazell highlights how deeply personal some creative decisions can be. It’s rare for a role to carry the name and essence of someone considered in its conception. Even though she didn’t land the part, Hazell remained part of the Ted Lasso universe—and her memoir frames the experience with equal parts humor and bruised heart.