Ted Lasso Season 4’s penultimate episode delivered an unexpectedly agonizing gut-punch that will leave viewers teary-eyed, asking what the heck just happened, and wondering if the worst-case scenario is actually true.

What made the devastating ending even harder to process was that most of Season 4, Episode 9, “Mae Rides the Bus,” was a joyous celebration. The AFC Women’s Team played a crucial match, Keeley (Juno Temple) shared some exciting news with her loved ones, and Mae (Annette Badland) accompanied the Lady Greyhounds on the road to live out the football dreams she was unable to pursue when she was younger. People were happy! The team was thriving! And we had high hopes for a fun finale…until the episode’s final few minutes broke our hearts — and not just because of the touching tribute to the late, great Anthony Head.

In a heartbreaking twist, Ted Lasso Episode 409 also appeared to end with the death of a core character. But because the show left the mysterious incident up for interpretation, fans will likely be wondering if their fears are actually a reality, or if Ted Lasso will pull a “gotcha!” in the finale and reveal that the character is still alive. So we went straight to the source and got answers!

Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 9 spoilers ahead.

Curious who died in Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 9? Who’s Ms. Green in Ted Lasso? Did Mae die on Ted Lasso? And is Annette Badland leaving Ted Lasso? Grab the tissues and read on for answers.

Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 9 Ending Explained: Who Is Ms Green in Ted Lasso? What Happened To Mae?

As noted, Mae spent the episode living out her AFC Richmond dreams. She took a two-and-a-half-hour bus trip with the team to attend their big Bristol City game. The girls grilled her about everything she’d seen, heard, lost, and learned in life. They included her in a team photo. And she even gave an inspiring locker room pep talk, saying, “Growing up, all I wanted to do was be a footballer, but women weren’t allowed to play officially…I had a right foot like a rosebush. But my left, even worse! But you girls are different. You’re talented. You belong on that pitch. And I love to see it. So go out there and make an old lady happy. And beat the fucking shit out of them!”

Rather than sit in the VIP box with Rebecca, Mae opted to sit in the supporters section to get the good old-fashioned football fan experience. The team took a while to get their groove on, but after Gemma scored a goal and the crowd (including Mae) jumped around to House of Pain’s “Jump Around,” the second half was smooth sailing. Mae cheered and celebrated in the stands, even hugging fellow supporters whenever the girls got ahead. But after the Lady Greyhounds won the game, the camera panned to Mae’s seat in the crowd, and she was nowhere to be found. Instead of cheering, she’d collapsed on the ground.

Shortly after a steward races to Mae’s side, a man approaches Rebecca and says, “Excuse me? I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s been an incident. It’s Ms. Green.” Who is Ms. Green? Mae Green! And given the context we had and the fact that Rebecca’s face dropped, the incident seemed dire. But did Mae really die in Ted Lasso?

Did Mae Die In Ted Lasso? And If So, How Did Mae Die In Ted Lasso?

A somber Rebecca walks into the locker room as the team celebrates, locks eyes with Ted from across the room, and summons him outside with a nod. To kick off their classic penultimate episode truth bomb, Ted asks, “What’s wrong?” And though their conversation is muted while the emotional “Oh Love” by Kingfishr plays us out, we see Ted drop his head down in defeat as he processes Rebecca’s words.

It’s heavily implied that Mae passed away, likely due to a medical event of some sort, which we’ll ideally get clarity on in the finale. And though Ted Lasso doesn’t explicitly confirm that Mae is dead in the episode, DECIDER spoke with Ted Lasso stars Annette Badland, Abbie Hern, and Tanya Reynolds ahead of Episode 409’s premiere. And sadly, they confirmed.

“When we found out that happened, I thought it was a joke,” Reynolds told DECIDER over Zoom. “All I can say is she is so beloved, and not just Mae. Annette, too. She’s such an essential part of Ted Lasso,” Hern added. “I’m so glad that they were able to honor her in Episode 9, giving her that moment to give the pregame speech to the team that she lives for. That being one of the final things that she does is really beautiful.”

Why Did Annette Badland Leave Ted Lasso? The OG Ted Lasso Star Explains Her Departure

After appearing in 29 episodes across all four seasons, and sharing her contagious personality, humor, penchant for swearing, and love of the game with characters and viewers alike, Mae’s time on Ted Lasso has come to an end, which sadly means that the brilliant Annette Badland is departing from the show.

DECIDER had a lovely chat with Badland ahead of Episode 409’s premiere that we’ll be publishing in full later on Wednesday, but for those who are curious about the why, Badland confirmed that she wasn’t itching to leave the series; rather, Jason Sudeikis presented the storyline to her and explained how it fit into Mae’s Season 4 arc.

While we miss Mae already, and it’s an inconceivable bummer to have to end Season 4 without her, Reynolds told DECIDER, “It’s absolutely devastating, but there are some really beautiful scenes in Episode 10 that honor her.”

Until then, we’ll be sobbing and wondering why ON EARTH the Ted Lasso writers decided they had to kill a woman/the women’s team’s #1 fan during the women’s season!

Stay tuned for DECIDER’s full interview with Badland and Hern/Reynolds for more Ted Lasso Season 4 insight.

Ted Lasso‘s Season 4 finale premieres Wednesday, October 7 on Apple TV.