The film adaptation of Wicked has reignited discussions about The Wizard of Oz, drawing connections to Ted Lasso. Series writer and actor Brett Goldstein has highlighted the significant relationship between the Apple TV+ show and the classic story.
The Wizard of Oz was a major influence on Lasso’s creative team
During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Brett Goldstein was directly asked if Ted Lasso was deliberately conceived as a retelling of The Wizard of Oz.
The actor, known for portraying Roy Kent and also a writer for the series, provided a refreshingly honest reply.
Absolutely, there are countless references to The Wizard of Oz in Ted Lasso… The pinball machine symbolizes Ted’s journey home — ‘There’s no place like home.’ And then, of course, there’s ‘no place like Richmond F.C.’ Yes, it’s all tied to The Wizard of Oz.
The conversation became particularly intriguing when Goldstein elaborated on the parallels between characters. Maureen Lee Lenker reports:
Goldstein went further to explain the character analogies within Ted Lasso. “I represent the Tin Man,” he mentions in reference to Roy Kent. “Ted is Dorothy, Rebecca embodies the Lion, and Jamie is the Scarecrow.”
This insight is quite revealing; assuming Goldstein was being sincere, the character archetypes align perfectly.
- Ted Lasso — Dorothy — is the protagonist, hailing from Kansas and longing for home
- Rebecca, the Lion, initially portrays fear, yet transforms into a strong businesswoman
- Roy, likened to the Tin Man, embarks on a journey that reveals his heart
- Jamie, the Scarecrow, appears devoid of brains initially but proves his worth by the story’s conclusion
I would love to hear more from Goldstein and the rest of the creative team regarding how The Wizard of Oz shaped the series, particularly if there are additional character inspirations that stem from the classic film.
Are Goldstein’s remarks surprising to you? What other characters do you think share similarities with those from The Wizard of Oz? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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