Ted Lasso‘s Nick Mohammed on Nate’s Betrayal: There’s a ‘Very Good Chance’ He Won’t Be Redeemed in Season 3
Warning: The following contains spoilers from Ted Lasso Season 2, Episode 12.
Oh, Nathan… who hurt you?
If Ted Lasso‘s Season 2 finale is to be believed, the damage was largely done (albeit unintentionally) by Jason Sudeikis’ friendlier-than-thou Midwesterner, who saw Nate’s potential and elevated him from kit man to assistant coach in Season 1. But Ted was distracted by his own demons this year — so much so that he didn’t necessarily notice Nate’s transformation until it was complete. And in Friday’s season ender, Nate lashed out at Ted for no longer making him feel like he mattered. Later, in a bout of frustration, Nate tore Ted’s “Believe” sign in two, then walked out of Nelson Road and took a new job as head coach of Rupert’s West Ham United. (For a full recap, click here.)
Below, the Emmy-nominated Nick Mohammed talks to TVLine about Nate’s total-180, revealing just how far back he knew about Season 2’s many twists and turns. He also pontificates on whether Nate is deserving of a redemption arc upon the series’ return (presumably in 2022).
TVLINE | Before we dive too deep, I wanted to ask about something that is very much on the surface: Nate’s hair. Was that cosmetic alteration always intended to be part of Nate’s larger transformation in Season 2?
Absolutely… We discussed it quite early on. I’ve got flecks of grey hair on my temples, but they actually painted those black in Season 1 to give Nate a slightly more youthful quality. But we really liked the idea, and I remember chatting to Jason [Sudeikis] about it, and then to our makeup designer Nicky Austin, about how cool it would be to track Nate’s descent — the stress, the guilt, the anxiety, the shame… You hear often about all of that affecting someone’s physical appearance, and we liked the idea of using that to track his transformation. So yes, it was absolutely in it from the start. You can really start noticing it from Episode 5 onwards, as we were painting in gray hairs. It was a continuity nightmare, but it was worth it, and something that people have only just started to catch onto in the latter end of the season.
TVLINE | So you’ve known about Nate’s journey to the dark side since Season 1?
Right from the off, really. I remember, distinctly, a scene we were filming at the gala in Season 1, which I think was in Episode 4. I sat next to Jason for a lot of that filming, and when they were moving cameras around, we were chatting and he outlined that whole three-season arc for Nate. I think at that point, we didn’t even know that Seasons 2 and 3 had been commissioned, but he had it all in his head, including the Empire Strikes Back tones to this season and to Nate’s journey.
TVLINE | How has it been for you, first as a performer grappling with Nate’s transformation, then later seeing it received so negatively on social media?
During filming, I trust the writers implicitly. And I was so excited about the prospect of going on a slightly different journey with Nate. But it was a tricky thing… I knew it would be challenging to film, because my comfort area is doing lighthearted, silly comedy. In Season 1, Nate’s journey was that underdog journey that the audience could really get on board with, and it felt fulfilling. I got to have fun being the awkward guy. Certainly in Season 2, they dug a little deeper with Nate and uncovered a few demons — but to be fair, those were always there in Season 1, we just laid them bare in Season 2. Particularly with some of the later scenes, like when Nate lays into Ted, and kisses Keeley, and when he was rude to Will and Colin, that stuff was challenging in some respects because it’s not nice what he’s doing. Obviously, I don’t condone his behavior by any means, and also, it was just a different dynamic to what I’d had in Season 1. But we spent time on it, and we chatted as we filmed over the course of six months. My concern was not wanting the character to peak too early — that there was somewhere for the character to go in terms of him going on a power trip. It was about drip-feeding those negative qualities that really come to bear in the latter half of the season.
And then in terms of the Twitter reaction, we all anticipated it. I think it’s fair to say people enjoyed Nate’s Season 1 journey, and we knew as soon as Season 2 started to air that they’d have a very different flavor this time around, and see a different side to Nate. But it’s fiction, and I quite like the fact that the audience hated Nate. They shouldn’t be digging his behavior. They should be absolutely mortified by it. [Laughs]
TVLINE | I have to admit, I’m not sure I could pinpoint the precise moment Nate started to feel like Ted was ignoring him, or no longer treated Nate like he was important. I didn’t quite understand where Nate’s anger was coming from…
I don’t think it’s that Nate is not “important” to Ted anymore, it’s that Ted has had a lot of other things going on, right? And Nate is sort of putting two and two together and making five. He’s not quite tracking that he’s not the only person with a story. There are a few key moments — and first off, it’s crucial, and really amazing, actually, that the only scene between Ted and Nate in Season 2 is that one, in Episode 12. In fact, the previous scene between just Ted and Nate is in Season 1, Episode 7, where Ted apologizes to Nate for snapping at him, and that’s really important. We talked about that a lot, to try and sell a sense of abandonment.
But there’s also lots of little hints along the way. I think the key one is just before Roy is brought in as a coach in Episode 5, and they’re talking about needing a “big dog” to go and talk to team captain Isaac. Nate says, “Oh, I’ll do it,” and Ted literally laughs in his face. I think he says, “Oh, you’re not joking. I thought you were joking,” and Nate walks out of the room. Even when he gives the Christmas present to Ted in Episode 4, he maybe expects a bigger thing to be made out of that. And in Episode 7, when Beard first admonishes Nate for having a go at Colin, the first thing that Nate says to Beard is, “Did you tell Ted? Did you tell Ted?” Nate is thinking about Ted, and missing Ted, and in need of this guiding light/father figure that he’s never really had, more than ever. And Ted has his own demons to deal with. And not to condone Nate’s behavior, but there are a lot of micro-aggressions against Nate — even him not getting a Nespresso machine in Episode 5. It’s played as a joke, but it’s the kind of thing that will eat at Nate inside.
TVLINE | It was heartbreaking when Nate mentioned Ted not hanging that photo of the two of them up in his office, because we saw in Episode 10 that it meant so much to Ted that he brought it home with him, and it sits on his bedroom dresser.
Yes! Right next to the photo of Ted’s son! We see it right before Ted has his panic attack. It’s heartbreaking, and that was [executive producer] Bill Lawrence’s idea. He told me about that, I think as we were marketing Season 1. That was an emotional beat that they had in their heads, even before they had written stuff for Season 2… It absolutely broke my heart.
TVLINE | I also found it alarming that Nate seemed upset that he didn’t get a bigger reaction out of Roy when he ‘fessed up to kissing Keeley. It was almost like he was craving that visceral reaction — either for Roy to beat him to a pulp, or to berate him in front of the Diamond Dogs — and he didn’t get it. Where do you think that stems from? It is years of bullying? Or maybe his relationship with his father?
I think a lot of Nate’s insecurities stem from his toxic relationship with his dad. That’s examined a little bit in Episodes 5 and 7, and we can read into that. He’s absolutely betrayed Roy, and he’s been deeply inappropriate with Keeley, who was just being so kind and standing by him, and he completely misinterpreted all of that. Brett [Goldstein] was telling me they were trying to think of what would be worse for Nate. “Would it be worse if Roy sized up against him, and maybe they had a fight?” But what’s actually more painful for Nate is that Roy brushes it off because Nate is almost… not important enough to pose a real threat. I think that is deeply painful for Nate, that he feels like he isn’t one of the big boys, or that he’s just not getting the respect or the attention that he deserves.
TVLINE | Nate is looking mighty pleased with himself in that flash forward, as West Ham’s new head coach…
It’s quite smug, isn’t it? That’s a really fun, tantalizing way to end.
TVLINE | Do you think there’s even any part of him in that moment that is aware of all the damage he’s done to get there? Or has his ego grown too big for him to take notice?
As much as he’s on a big power trip, and he’s now with another team, and a really good team, I think he hates himself. All the spitting on the mirror, that’s just him pitying himself. When he looks in the mirror after the Keeley move, he hates what he has done. He hates himself and he’s full of s–t.
TVLINE | So the spitting — which I was going to ask about — that’s always been about self-loathing?
That’s exactly what I think, and that’s how I want it to play. Whether that means he can ever be redeemed — because I think what people would like is a redemption arc in Season 3 — I genuinely don’t know, because they’re still in the writers’ room. But also there’s a very good chance that Nate has gone too far over the mark and can’t come back from this. And he may be the one character that doesn’t get a redemption arc in Ted Lasso. You never know what they might do.
There doesn’t need to be any redemption. I enjoy shows that move characters towards likeable and unlikeable endings.
Wrapping things up “nicely” is less fulfilling than complete stories that are from well developed character paths.
If Nate “the Great” isn’t redeemed, then what’s the point of the wole series?
Best show ever! Wish it was more available to other people so I could talk about it more!! Love, love, LOVE IT!!
I 100% hope he does not get redeemed. We already had a redemption arc with Jamie, who, imo was worth the redemption. Nate reached a point of no return for me even before this last episode.
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Also Ted Lasso excels in character progression. It is one of the things that was a Hallmark of season 1 and has continued in Season 2. It has been fascinating to see the progression of Nate from the timid, overlooked, bullied guy you felt sorry for at first and then was happy for in his triumph last season to the slow descent into to flat out villainhood this season. By the time the show ends I want him to have been the villain and all the more delicious because we got to see how it happened.
I agree, Nate can’t be redeemed..kind of made me pi**ed they did this to him.
Who are these like 2 people giving Ted Lasso D’s and F’s? Who hurt you?
Agree with others that I’d rather not see him redeemed. We’ve been there with Jamie and I’d rather see Nate as antagonist that perhaps gets knocked down a peg and shows promise for change by series end, but not redemption. It would actually be quite frustrating if after what Nate’s done all is just forgiven.
For the most part the Nate story arch has worked for me as I think it’s a pretty well written and complex character. That said two gripes.
One, Nate has faced no repercussions for bad behavior – including for his treatment of Will. While it would have been out of character for Ted to dress Nate down, I would have liked some acknowledgment from Ted (in his wise way) to Nate that his behavior has been unacceptable and hurtful, and not at all deserving.
Two, Nate was the equipment manager and one of three assistant coaches for less than two seasons. Now he’s a Premier League coach? That’s almost as ridiculous as Ted getting hired. I’ll chalk this one up to TV exaggeration.
Not sure what to make of Nick Mohammed’s portrayal this season. He’s a good actor no doubt but Nate was entirely unlikeable by the end. I don’t pity him or feel bad, I just don’t like him. Not sure if that’s how Nick chose to portray it or if that’s more on the writing. But it might have worked a little better if we had a ounce of sympathy for Nate, which I don’t.
I think Nate not getting reprimanded feeds into the idea that he’s not really worth the effort and his actions don’t have enough impact on anyone important. I also think he’s been hired as manager by Rupert to get at Rebecca & Ted. There were a few loose suggestions that Nate was one of the reasons behind their resurgence back up the table. Compared to all the other football-related things that are way off the mark re: the premier league, I think they can get away with this one too ;)
Right, but I assumed he hasn’t been reprimanded because Ted doesn’t know about this behavior with Colin or Will. Neither guy strikes me as someone who would go off and tell or file a complaint. Only Beard was around for the interaction with Colin, and, although he said something to Nate, I don’t think Beard feels it’s his place to take it up the chain or command. So, I think Nate’s tendency toward villainy escalated because no one said anything, and there was no true reprimand. I feel like Ted’s apology was done more because he felt it was the right thing to do, to validate Nate’s feelings at his expense, but I don’t believe that Ted understood where the vitriol came from, because, from what I saw, Nate doesn’t have any proof that Ted abandoned him. That is just Nate’s perception, and it has clouded his reality. Nate has been so self-absorbed that he hasn’t been able notice or accept that Ted seemingly wasn’t there for him because Ted has some deep rooted mental health issues. When this came to light, instead of it being the explanation for the “abandonment,” Nate tells the press, which shows me how terrible he’s become.
Totally agree, all those little things eating at Nate and nothing was ever addressed. It definitely led to him exploding and acting out like he did. And no, I don’t think Ted had any idea where it all came from, which is why he looked so stunned by it all and barely said anything.
They’ve been big on the everyone deserves a second chance thing so I think there will be a redemption arc for Nate, but it’ll be a slow burn and take some heartache before it gets there.
Don’t forget also what a hard time Coach Beard gave Ted for being too nice. Ted is a good coach, but he needs to learn how to reprimand his team when they screw up. He’s had great success using a positive model, and that’s the best way imho, but he needs to know when someone’s really crossed a line and he needs to get tough. He waited to long to address that with Nate. I do hope Nate resolves his issues to some extent, even if it doesn’t reach the level of redemption.
I don’t think Nate needs to be fully redeemed (like Rebecca, Jamie, etc), but he does need to learn where he went wrong.
No doubt he’ll be thrown under the bus by Rupert at some point – Rupert being the true villain of the series who doesn’t need redemption – and I can see Ted trying to help Nate after that.
Oh yes, that will be very interesting to see!
Hannah Waddingham said it best, when asked by IMDB (https;//www.imdb.com/video/vi4218470425?playlistd=nm1821446&ref_=nm_pr_ov_vi) to described the second season in one word, she said–without a moments hesitation–“rebirth.”
I’m not so sure we won’t see redemption for Nate. I have confidence they will resolve it in a way that we won’t see coming and hopefully will feel very deserved.
I pity Nate so I’d like to think he deserves to heal from the childhood abuse at the root of his actions and that he still endures!
No redemption for Nate please. I’d like to see him loose a player to Richmond, loose a game to Richmond and then get fired. The redemption is not for him, it’s for Ted. He was Ted’s pet project and then Ted took his eye off the ball. He should have seen the turn that Nate the not so great was taking and he should have been there to keep him in line. After Nate falls, I’d like for Ted to seek him out, apologize and walk him into Dr. Fieldstone’s office. That’s Ted’s redemption for Nate and for his dad.
No redemption for Nate? Please, this is Ted Lasso.
Jaime and Nate have the same issue – a toxic father. I hope whatever the resolution they examine the effects of that from 2 different angles and outcomes. What allows a person to overcome or not overcome that?
Great interview! People are commenting on whether or not he should be redeemed. imho, that all depends on how the story goes. I hope he is able to overcome his demons enough to be able to look back clearly and change. But he might not. Someone asked what’s the point of Ted Lasso if he’s not redeemed. But the message isn’t that every human being can be. We’d love to believe that, but some cannot. I’m confident that the amazing writing team, whether or not Nate redeems himself, will show us his journey thoughtfully and with insight. That’s what I love about this show. Oh and also – I hope Nick Mohammed gets an Emmy for Season 2. He really knocked it out of the park (kicked it into the net? Not quite as dramatic. lol).
It was clear in Season 2 that Nate was engrossed in his own press and testing the waters for more control, money and recognition. But instead of working through it to show growth, he betrayed the one person that believed in him. I am no longer cheering for Nate and hope he gets crushed when he works for the real villain which is Rupert. You don’t betray the people who help you along the way and get forgiven easily.