Uncle Roy

The stoic tough guy who turned silence into a weapon and mentorship into an art form.

Uncle Roy is a nickname for Roy Kent, a main character and deuteragonist of the Apple TV+ series, Ted Lasso. He is the captain of AFC Richmond, later a coach, and eventually the new manager of the club. A former Champions League winner with Chelsea FC, Roy was once considered one of the league's best players but has seen his talents decline as he approaches the end of his career. He is hardly seen with other team members because he is the oldest of the players.

Quick Facts

Character name: Roy Kent
Portrayed by: Brett Goldstein
Series: Ted Lasso (2020–present)

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.

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.