Uncle Roy

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Lore & Background

Roy Kent's journey began when Goldstein felt such a kinship with the character that he personally emailed a self-taped audition to the production team. This tape included five scenes from the pilot, most notably the line, 'If I don't hear silence I'm gonna start punching dicks.' In his message to the writers, Goldstein added a humorous disclaimer: 'If this is awkward, or this is shit, pretend you never got this email, and I promise I will never ask you about it.' The tapes successfully scored him the role of the ageing footballer. Goldstein's performance earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in both 2021 and 2022. His work on the show also led to his promotion to co-creator alongside Black Mirror writer Will Bridges, though their collaboration began earlier with the six-part anthology series Soulmates for AMC.

In Their Own Story

Goldstein's path to Roy Kent was paved by a unique combination of writing and acting credits. Before Ted Lasso, he wrote and starred as a Peckham postman-turned-superhero in SuperBob (2015), a role that led comedian Catherine Tate to invite him to co-write and guest star in her sitcom. He also won the BIFA for Best Supporting Actor in 2016 for Adult Life Skills, starring alongside Jodie Whittaker; they later appeared together in Doctor Who's 'The Tsuranga Conundrum' in July 2018. Goldstein began his podcasting career that same month with Films to Be Buried With. His transition to Ted Lasso was seamless; after being hired by producer Bill Lawrence as a writer, he auditioned via email and landed the role of Roy Kent. This success culminated in a multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television in 2022 and an appearance as Hercules in the mid-credits scene of Thor: Love and Thunder later that year.

Reader's Guide

To understand Roy Kent, one must look at Brett Goldstein's specific contributions to the character's creation and performance. Goldstein was not merely cast; he was instrumental in defining Roy's voice, having written scripts for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival after studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City until 2003. His background includes a stint working at a strip club in Marbella, Spain, which his father purchased during a 'midlife crisis,' an experience he later turned into a stand-up routine titled Brett Goldstein Grew Up in a Strip Club (2011). For Roy Kent, Goldstein utilized these acting skills to portray a stoic figure who communicates through action and rare, impactful dialogue. Fans should note that while the character is a defender for AFC Richmond, his portrayal is deeply rooted in Goldstein's real-life experience as a writer and comedian, evidenced by his Emmy wins for both 2021 and 2022.

Did You Know?

• Brett Goldstein emailed his self-taped audition to the Ted Lasso production team, including five scenes from the pilot.
• Goldstein told the producers in his email: 'If this is awkward, or this's shit, pretend you never got this email.'
• He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022).
• Before Ted Lasso, Goldstein co-created the six-part science fiction anthology series Soulmates with Will Bridges.
• Goldstein appeared as Hercules in the mid-credits scene of Thor: Love and Thunder in 2022.