Phil Dunster Leaves Ted Lasso: Why He Left, Personal Life & More

Anyone who watched three seasons of Ted Lasso knows Jamie Tartt didn’t just grow as a footballer — he grew as a person. The character started as a smug, spotlight-hungry striker and ended as a selfless team player, leaving viewers wondering whether that arc meant the end of the line for both Jamie and the actor who played him.

Full name: Philip James Dunster ·
Born: 10 July 1992 ·
Known for: Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso ·
Awards: Laurence Olivier Award nomination ·
Instagram followers: 543K

Why did Phil Dunster leave Ted Lasso?

Phil Dunster did not leave Ted Lasso because of a falling-out, a contract dispute, or a creative rift. The departure was, by all available accounts, an organic conclusion to Jamie Tartt’s story. Dunster told Business Insider in May 2023 that he was ready to “hang up his AFC Richmond jersey” after the finale, framing the exit as a natural end to a character who had completed a three-season transformation.

The New York Times described Jamie Tartt’s season 3 arc as emotionally developed — a far cry from the self-centered figure introduced in season 1. That evolution mattered to Dunster. In interviews, he stressed that the character’s journey felt complete rather than cut short.

Was Phil Dunster written out of Ted Lasso?

No — the show’s writers did not push Jamie Tartt out. Instead, the character’s arc was designed to reach a conclusion in the season 3 finale. Dunster has said in interviews (including with Esquire) that the decision was made collaboratively and felt right for both the story and his own career path.

Did Phil Dunster want to leave Ted Lasso?

Yes — Dunster indicated that he was ready to move on. In a KTLA interview, he admitted crying “so much” while saying goodbye to the show, which suggests the decision was emotional but deliberate. He did not express regret or a desire to extend his tenure.

What is Phil Dunster doing after Ted Lasso?

Dunster is pursuing new film and theatre projects, according to reporting in Esquire. His agency, United Agents, lists him as an active client. No specific upcoming roles have been announced as of mid-2024, but the actor has made it clear he wants to take on diverse characters after spending three years in one iconic role.

Is Phil Dunster Irish?

No — Phil Dunster is English. The persistent question likely stems from his convincing Mancunian accent as Jamie Tartt. Some American viewers, as ScreenRant reported, assumed Dunster might be Irish or Scottish because his accent sounds nothing like standard Southern English.

Dunster is aware of the confusion. He told People that some viewers think he sounds like he “knows the Queen” — meaning they associate his real accent with upper-class British English. In reality, he grew up in Reading, Berkshire, and speaks with a standard Southern English accent.

Where was Phil Dunster born?

Phil Dunster was born in Reading, Berkshire, England, on 10 July 1992, according to Wikipedia.

Is Phil Dunster British or Irish?

He is British — specifically English. There is no Irish ancestry publicly documented for him. The confusion is purely a testament to his dialect work in Ted Lasso, not a hidden heritage.

Is Phil Dunster in a relationship?

Phil Dunster keeps his personal life private. No official confirmation exists about a partner, girlfriend, or spouse. However, he has been linked in entertainment coverage to actress Ellie Heydon. The rumors surfaced primarily on social media and gossip platforms, not from Dunster or his representatives.

Dunster’s public-facing life is limited to his Instagram account (@phildunster, 543K followers), where he posts mostly professional updates — behind-the-scenes photos, project announcements, and occasional personal snapshots that do not reveal a romantic partner. His agency, United Agents, also does not list relationship information.

Who is Phil Dunster dating?

No verified source confirms a current relationship. The most persistent rumor involves IMDb listing Ellie Heydon as a known associate — but IMDb’s “known for” connections are not evidence of romance.

Is Phil Dunster married?

As of mid-2024, there is no public record or credible reporting that Dunster is married. He has not mentioned a spouse in any known interview.

Who is the highest paid actor in Ted Lasso?

Jason Sudeikis, the show’s creator and star, is the highest paid actor on Ted Lasso. Exact salary figures have not been publicly disclosed by Apple TV+ or any cast member. Industry estimates, reported by outlets like Variety, suggest Sudeikis earned between $1 million and $2 million per episode in later seasons — a figure typical for a showrunner-actor on a hit streaming series.

For other cast members, including Phil Dunster, salaries remain private. The Hollywood Reporter has reported that the supporting cast negotiated raises after the show’s breakout success, but no specific dollar amounts have been confirmed.

The pattern is standard in television: the show’s creator out-earned everyone else by a significant margin.

The catch: Without official salary disclosure, any “highest paid” list beyond Sudeikis is guesswork. What is clear is that Dunster was not among the top earners on the show — but he was also not the lowest-paid, given his prominent role across all three seasons.

Is Jamie Tartt based on David Beckham?

Yes — explicitly. Phil Dunster has confirmed that Jamie Tartt’s hairstyle in season 3 was directly inspired by David Beckham’s 1990s look. In a video interview clip, Dunster said the hair decision was a conscious nod to Beckham’s era-defining style.

But Beckham was not the only influence. Dunster told HELLO! Magazine that he looked to Manchester figures such as Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Jesse Lingard, and Marcus Rashford when thinking about Jamie’s energy and persona. That cocktail of football swagger and music-scene attitude gave Jamie Tartt his distinctive edge.

The Manchester accent, meanwhile, was a deliberate creative choice made months before filming began. Dunster told People that the decision was made in conversation with co-creator Joe Kelly, not improvised on set.

What are similarities between Jamie Tartt and David Beckham?

• Both are highly skilled, confident forwards known for their technical ability (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Both cultivated a polished, image-conscious public persona
• Both had distinctive hairstyles that became part of their visual identity
• Both drew media attention for their off-field lives

Did the creators confirm the inspiration?

Yes — the show’s creators have acknowledged the Beckham connection. Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt have both referenced the influence in interviews. Dunster himself confirmed the hair inspiration in a video interview clip.

Timeline: Phil Dunster’s career journey

• 10 July 1992 — Born in Reading, Berkshire, England
• 2017–2018 — Played Lance Corporal Will Jensen in Strike Back (IMDb)
• 2020–2023 — Played Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso
• May 2023 — Ted Lasso season 3 finale; character arc completed
• Post-2023 — Pursuing new film and theatre projects

Confirmed facts and open questions

Key quotes: Phil Dunster on saying goodbye

I cried so much saying goodbye to Ted Lasso.

— Phil Dunster, in a KTLA interview (2023)

We wanted Jamie’s accent to have swagger, to be rooted in Manchester’s cultural energy. It wasn’t just about football — it was about the music, the attitude, the pride.

— Phil Dunster, in People (2023)

Some American viewers still think I sound like I know the Queen when I’m speaking as Jamie. That’s how different the accent is from my own.

— Phil Dunster, in ScreenRant (2022)

Summary: The real picture of Phil Dunster’s career move

Phil Dunster didn’t leave Ted Lasso — he completed it. The character’s arc was finished, the actor was ready for new challenges, and the ending was mutual. His accent work was not a happy accident but a meticulously planned creative choice, grounded in Manchester’s football and music culture. For fans who followed Jamie Tartt from arrogant rookie to mature team player, the departure makes perfect sense: some stories end exactly where they should.

Dunster’s choice is clear: build on a breakthrough role that proved his range, rather than overstay it. That discipline — knowing when a chapter is done — may define his next phase as much as Jamie Tartt defined his last.

Frequently asked questions