Ted (TV series)
A prequel series set between the opening and main plot of Ted.
Ted is a fantasy stoner comedy series on Peacock, created and directed by Seth MacFarlane. It is the third entry in the Ted franchise and a prequel to the original film. The show debuted January 11, 2024, and a second season followed on March 5, 2026.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Comedy
- Stoner
- Fantasy
- Based on
- Ted, Seth MacFarlane
- Creator
- Seth MacFarlane
- Starring
- Seth MacFarlane
- Max Burkholder
- Alanna Ubach
- Scott Grimes
- Giorgia Whigham
- Opening theme
- "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" by Norah Jones
- Music
- Walter Murphy
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Premise
Set between 1993 and 1994, the series takes place between the opening sequence and main plot of the 2012 film Ted. It follows the early life of the sentient teddy bear Ted as he lives with 16-year-old John Bennett and his family in Framingham, Massachusetts. The Bennett household includes John's father Matty, mother Susan, and cousin Blaire. After causing trouble while the family is away, Ted is forced to attend school with John.
Cast and characters
Seth MacFarlane provides both the voice and motion capture performance for Ted, a rude, profane, living teddy bear who was once famous and was brought to life by a childhood wish from John. Tara Strong handles the sound of Ted's "I Love You" button feature. MacFarlane also plays Bill Clinton during the second season. Max Burkholder portrays John Bennett, a sixteen-year-old high school student who is Ted's closest friend and sits near the bottom of the social order at John Hancock High. Alanna Ubach plays Susan Bennett, John's mother—a trusting, gentle, quiet, and mild stay-at-home parent who was originally called Helen in the opening of the Ted film. Scott Grimes plays Matty Bennett, John's father, a short-tempered Republican and Vietnam veteran who holds many paranoid beliefs and irrational fears; he was originally named Steve in the film's opening. Giorgia Whigham plays Blaire Bennett, John's smart and sarcastic liberal cousin who attends Emerson College and lives with the Bennetts because her own family is troubled; she looks out for John and Ted and tries to keep them from causing trouble. Marissa Shankar appears as Sarah, Blaire's girlfriend, who sells marijuana to fund her tuition. Other cast members include Ara Hollyday as Andrew, a classmate of John and Ted who is Polly's boyfriend; Liz Richman as Polly, a classmate who is Andrew's girlfriend; Penny Johnson Jerald as Principal Bernard; Ian McKellen as the Narrator; Charly Jordan as Sheila Borgwat; Gail Goldberg as Gert Fetchco; Jack Seavor McDonald as Clive; Erin Moore as Jessica; Francesca Xuereb as Erin Lyons; Don Lake as Bert; Dana Gould as a Priest; Danny Jolles as Will; Tim Russ as an ER Doctor; Mike Henry as a Bank Employee; Charlotte Fountain-Jardim as Bethany Borgwat; Julius Sharpe as Mr. George; John Viener as Dr. Frankel; Audrey Wasilewski as Muriel; Marc Jablon as a Restaurant Manager; JD Cullum as Lloyd; Chris Coppola and Jim Kane as Video Store Clerks; Tom Costello as a Coach; Connor Keene as Kevin; Brendan Jennings as an Ostrich Owner; Josh Stamberg as Professor Lucas Damon; Ivar Brogger as Father Odell; Jason Kravits as Mr. Maynard; Paul Schackman as Sandy; Scott Michael Campbell as Bernie Bennett; Peter Macon as Avery Lawrence; Michaela McManus as Charlotte Robicheck; Ross Partridge as David Robichek; Brett Rickaby as Dr.
Production
In June 2021, Peacock gave a straight-to-series order for a prequel series. MacFarlane originally asked Mark Wahlberg to reprise his role as John, but due to Wahlberg's other commitments, the show became a prequel. MacFarlane serves as executive producer and reprises his role as Ted. Film stars Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and Amanda Seyfried do not appear. Scott Grimes, Max Burkholder, and Giorgia Whigham joined the cast in April 2022, and Alanna Ubach rounded out the cast in May 2022. MacFarlane agreed to the series on the condition that the CGI for Ted was not "nickel-and-dimed." He chose a prequel over a continuation due to greater story potential and Wahlberg's schedule. The main cast received Ted teddy bears to practice sight-lines. Filming began in August 2022 at the Universal Studios Lot, using ViewScreen, a program allowing real-time special effects viewing. The first season consists of seven episodes; filming wrapped in November 2022. The second season was renewed in May 2024, nearly cancelled due to high production costs of around $8 million per episode, with Universal also pursuing an animated series. Filming for the second season wrapped in January 2025.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, 73% of 41 critics' reviews for the first season are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The critics consensus states: "The silly old bear isn't quite up to new tricks with this foul-mouthed sitcom, but fans of Seth MacFarlane's caustic comedy will get plenty of kick out of Teds latest antics." Metacritic assigned a score of 51 out of 100 based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Nick Schager of The Daily Beast gave a positive review, praising its humor and political themes. Chris Vognar of Rolling Stone described the show as "silly" and "juvenile" but full of laughs. Neal Justin of Star Tribune called it "actually kind of sweet––and noble." Alison Herman of Variety criticized the franchise as "not the kind of story that requires expansion" and the show's similarity to the movies. Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter gave a mixed review, praising Ubach's casting and the chemistry between MacFarlane and Burkholder, but criticizing episode length and pacing. Anita Singh of The Daily Telegraph awarded one star out of five. For the second season, all 11 critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave positive reviews, resulting in a 100% rating. Metacritic gave a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 from 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reception.
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