Apple executive Eddy Cue has said he hopes Ted Lasso will continue beyond its newly launched fourth season, arguing that the show remains strong enough for a fifth. His comments matter because the comedy was initially thought to have concluded after three seasons, although its creators later developed a new direction for the series.

Cue said there were still “plenty of stories” to tell. Deadline previously reported that core cast members, including Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein, were believed to have three-year agreements that could support further seasons; season four began on 5 August and will run weekly until 7 October, following Ted as coach of Richmond’s second-division women’s team.