Season two of Jason Sudeikis' series Ted Lasso was an instant hit with critics following its premiere episode on Friday.
The award-winning Apple TV+ series scored an impressive 100 percent fresh rating from critics surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes, and several reviewers praised the sports comedy's warm-hearted tone.
Among those charmed by the new season was NPR's Eric Deggins, who was won over by the shows 'kindness and empathy.'
It's a hit! Season two of the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso is a hit with critics after premiering on Friday, with writers singling out Jason Sudeikis' performance and the show's kind-hearted nature
He writes that the second season's episode was 'just as good' as those of the first season, 'if not better.'
Sudeikis stars in the series as an American college football coach who's brought in to lead the English Premier League soccer team AFC Richmond, even though he's strictly an expert on the American variety of football.
Although the series might not play well with fans of darker, more cynical comedy, Deggins writes that the cheery storylines never 'become too predictable, maudlin or outrageous.'
Although supporting players like Hannah Waddingham, who plays the team owner Rebecca Welton, have more developed roles the second time around, it's Sudeikis who's the heart and soul of the series.
Consistent: NPR's Eric Deggins writes that the second season's episode were 'just as good' as those of the first season, 'if not better'
Fish out of water: He praised Sudeikis for never being 'too cutesy.' He stars as a college-level coach of American football who's drafted to lead an English soccer team; seen July 15 in West Hollywood
He writes that whenever the show is in danger of becoming 'too cutesy,' 'Sudeikis and his writers come up with a jolt of emotionalism that gets things back on track.'
ABC News' Peter Travers similarly praises Sudeikis' work in the role, which he calls a significant departure from
