Phil Dunster

Jamie Tartt's self-importance gives Phil Dunster plenty to work with in Ted Lasso (2020). He uses physicality and accent to make the cockiness distinct, while leaving room for a less assured young man. We warmed to Jamie because Dunster made us notice the vulnerability beneath the self-regard. The performance gives us a reason to stay interested in someone who might otherwise be tiresome. Dunster is good at that, and at letting a character develop without demanding all the attention in an ensemble.

Smaller screen roles in Strike Back (2017–2018) and Humans (2018) preceded that breakthrough. Ted Lasso gave him the sustained character development that suits his strengths, alongside Jason Sudeikis and a responsive cast. It is a warm sports comedy we recommend, with reservations about the uneven jokes and the sometimes laboured cultural clashes. Dunster contributes to the pleasure of spending time with these people, which matters when the comedy falters. Even so, liking the company does not oblige us to laugh at everything they say.

Leading roles in The Devil's Hour (2022) and Surface (2025) followed, before Rooster (2026) returned him to a comedy ensemble as Archie Bates. Here the company includes Steve Carell, Danielle Deadwyler and John C. McGinley. Dunster, Deadwyler and McGinley make encounters enjoyable before the scripts have given us much reason to care about the people having them. We value that ability, but Rooster also shows how much it depends on the writing. Its familiar jokes and underwritten father-daughter relationship leave Carell carrying too much of the appeal.

We would like the writing to give Dunster as much help as he gives his fellow actors. His ease within a cast is worth noticing, but it should not become an excuse for accepting characters we barely get to know. Start with Ted Lasso, provided an inconsistent supply of jokes is a fault you can forgive.