Roy Kent’s Sister Is One Of ‘Ted Lasso’s Greatest Surprises

Ted Lasso Season 3, Episode 10 “International Break” finally gave the fans what they wanted.

We saw Nate start to take some real accountability for his horrible Season 2 behavior! We got Roy and Keeley back together! We were blessed with the long-overdue return of Phoebe! And in a real treat, we got to meet Phoebe’s mom (aka Roy’s sister), who, it turns out, we already know!

In one of the Apple TV+ comedy’s most satisfying surprises and delightful twists, Roy Kent’s sister, played by actor Sofia Barclay, already appeared on the show as Dr. O’Sullivan in Season 2, Episode 8, “Man City.”

We’ve long known that Roy has such a strong presence in Phoebe’s life because her mom is always working in the emergency room, so after Dr. Sharon was hit by a car while riding her bike and a kind ER doctor with Roy Kent-esque eyebrows spoke with her and Ted in the ER, fans immediately wondered if that doctor was Phoebe’s mom. We may never know if the plan was always to bring Barclay back for the big reveal or the fan theories inspired Ted Lasso‘s team to cast Barclay as the long-lost Kent sister. But either way, we adore the surprise.

In Season 3, Episode 10, Ted Lasso confirms Roy’s sister’s identity at an absolutely precious Uncle’s Day celebration. Phoebe, her mom, and Roy are sitting at a table in Phoebe’s flat surrounded by decorations and an Uncle’s Day feast. “You know it’s not a real holiday right?” Roy grumpily asks. “Yes it is, right mommy?” Phoebe questions. “Any day that annoys Roy? A holiday for me,” Roy’s sister says, establishing their delightfully sassy brother/sister dynamic.

When Phoebe runs to receive a guest at the door, the siblings take a moment to bond. “Phoeb told me that Uncle’s Day is her favorite holiday of the year,” O’Sullivan says. “It was Uncle’s day, Uncle Roy’s birthday, and Perchtenlaufen, the German holiday where people dress up as evil spirits and roam the streets in order to scare winter away.” Kent replies, “She might be an old soul but she’s a proper fucking dweeb isn’t she?” and the two share a laugh before the guest of honor, Jamie Tartt (aka Roy’s BFF) arrives. After Jamie gives Roy the perfect present (the original England kit from his 2014 world cup) and paying Phoebe for swearing, Phoeb gives Uncle Roy her gift: a tie dye shirt she made at school with red, orange, and yellow because they spell ROY.

Clocking her brother’s “FUCK NO” expression, Roy’s sister raises an eyebrow and says, “She’s been very excited to give it to you!” nudging him to say “thank you.” When Phoebe and Dr. O’Sullivan duck out to put their costumes on for a performance, Jamie tells Roy, “Your sister is fit!” Roy simply replies, “I will cut your eyes out.” But now we…kind of ship Jamie and Roy’s sister??!

Not only has Jamie met Roy’s sister, but thinking back to her first appearance in Season 2, she’s also met Dr. Sharon and Ted!

It’s unclear why Dr. O’Sullivan didn’t mention her brother or daughter to Coach Lasso (perhaps because she wasn’t Roy’s sister yet), but she did listen to Ted admit to watching a lot of Grey’s Anatomy in his early thirties before informing Dr. Sharon of her concussion and stitches.

Plus, Roy’s sister memorably referred to Ted as Dr. Sharon’s husband, which sent the coach and the sports psychologist spiraling. Dr. Roy’s Sister/Phoebe’s Mom is an icon. Our only complaint is with just two episodes left in Season 3 (and possibly the series as a whole) we aren’t able to see more of her.

Ted Lasso is currently streaming on Apple TV+.