Phil Dunster’s Jaime Tartt has finally reached a level of mutual respect with former captain and now coach Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), and their latest adventures in Amsterdam bring the two closer together.
AFC Richmond travel to Amsterdam in the sixth episode. Despite the loss, Ted (Jason Sudeikis), Coach of AFC Richmond gives them a free night after their match. Roy makes Jamie stick around for training, and Jaime points out all the sights in Amsterdam as they run through the city — including that famous bench shot in “The Fault in Our Stars.”
“Jason and Brendan and Joe Kelly, the creators all lived in Amsterdam for a while so they’re all obsessed with Amsterdam, particularly Brendan is obsessed with the history and architecture and culture there,” Dunster told .
Dunster credits the scripts for being able to lace up Tartt’s boots again with ease this season.
“It’s a lot more efficient. The writers have already done a lot of work, so we just need to parachute into the project. He added. “You don’t need to put stuff on top of it. It’s all just there. It’s oven ready, pop it in there and it’s delicious cake.”
Dunster sat down Friday, April 14 with to discuss what’s gotten into Jamie for episode 6 of season three, which marks the midway point of the potentially final season of Jason Sudeikis’ soccer series. Click here to read more:
In Episode 306, Jamie seems to have some pep in his step that maybe hasn’t been there before. What do you think is the reason?
Phil Dunster : I think he’s starting to believe a little bit. There’s also a familiarity — when he’s in Amsterdam — of a time when things were straightforward. His life was simple. I don’t think he would ever ever ever say this to Roy, but I think that he’s feeling respected, and he’s feeling like he’s being received by Roy in a different way, like a sort of paternal figure in his life. He’s got a bit of jazz in his ass … I was just trying to say pep in his step.”
What do you think this has to do with his new attitude now that Zava is gone and he’s training under Roy?
Jamie’s changed drastically this season. Jamie reacted differently to Zava’s arrival than he did in the first season. Jamie is saying, ‘Guys, we’re a team, let’s play as a team. Why do we care about this superstar who’s turned up?’ when he once was the superstar and he [only] cared about himself, so we see how much he’s learned there. Zava’s gone. He wants to go back to — I think it’s in episode three, he says, ‘We can work as a team. We can instill all of the lessons that we’ve learned over the last couple of years.’ He’s now being coached by one of the best players in recent history, and he’s also in a place in his life where he can be open to listen to that. It’s a heady cocktail in the footballing sense.
When Jamie and Roy cycle through Amsterdam, we get to peel back another layer. Then I looked at the picture.It’s refreshing to be able to play the part?
It’s 100% the bit that’s closest to me. All of the bravado and coolness is so far away from me but the bits where he’s a bit mushy and emotional is probably far closer to me. It’s a hard thing in a comedy to find the balance of what’s too much. Being able to achieve that is a great thing. [Brett Goldstein] always feels like you’re never too far off the mark.
If it is the final season, which like you said we don’t know. What will it be like to leave Jamie behind?
Jamie did so many great things. It would be wonderful to play and nurture that. I’m also grateful to have had the chance to work alongside these amazing people. Which you know, as I say, I’m like, ‘that’s a cliche, and it’s and it feels boring,’ but like I really am. To try out those hairstyles I didn’t get to wear when I was 15.
You were recently cast in season 2 of “Surface” on Apple TV+. Can you give us any information about your role in the show, production dates and how it works with Hello Sunshine
In May we start shooting, and continue throughout the summer. And my guy, he’s a lot posher than Jamie. So that’s fun. All actors, I think we want variety in what we do, and it’s a very different style of show, very different style of performance that we’ll have in it.
For those people that have seen ‘Surface’ they will know that the sort of essence of the show is it’s a thriller, it’s dark, but it’s also got moments of levity, it’s shot so beautifully. I’m really looking forward to bringing that show here, and to work with Gugu [Mbatha-Raw] I can’t wait. I’ve already met Veronica [West] now a load of times and she’s just a brilliant leader. I’m actually about to get to a costume fitting. It’s my first time on set today.
For clarity and length, this interview has been edited. The first six episodes of “Ted Lasso” are now streaming on Apple TV+.