Ted Lasso’s Phil Dunster on how school sparked a passion for drama

On By Pranco

Getty Images Phil Dunster stood in front of a light blue booth at a promotional event Getty Images

Phil Dunster attended Leighton Park School in Reading

Ted Lasso star Phil Dunster has described how his passion for acting first began to blossom at school.

Dunster, who plays Mancunian footballer Jamie Tartt, said he first realized the power of drama when he was a teenager at Leighton Park School in Reading.

He told BBC Radio Berkshire that he had a “special moment” while performing Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood and was inspired by two drama teachers.

He played AFC Richmond star striker Tartt on the Apple TV+ show for three seasons and could reprise the role in the fourth season.

Dunster, 32, said he started taking acting seriously when he was 16 or 17 and was inspired by teachers Geraint Thomas and Damon Young.

“It’s a Quaker school so we can use their first names, don’t worry!” he said.

Getty Images Dunster with several other Ted Lasso cast members in line for the US premiere of Ted Lasso Getty Images

Dunster (far left) with other cast members from Ted Lasso in June

“There was a space where we suddenly had a voice and a space to play. I think it was really Under Milk Wood at school with Geraint.

“I think I sat there with a haughty attitude and watched as our auditorium turned, for lack of a better expression, into a fishing village in rural Wales. And I had a special moment of saying, ‘wow, this is something powerful’.”

Dunster said he chose a career in acting after turning down a plan to join the army and attending Bristol Old Vic Theater School.

“I don’t know how I ended up at (the theater school). I honestly honestly don’t know. Somehow they were stupid enough to let me in,” he said.

Getty Images A photo of Welsh author Dylan Thomas standing in front of a bookshelf at the Gotham Book Shop during a reception in his honor in New York CityGetty Images

The Ted Lasso star said he was inspired by Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood

Dunster adopted Tartt’s Mancunian accent while auditioning for the comedy-drama role.

“It was actually funny because originally I thought they wanted a European footballer and we would have a Spanish accent,” he said.

“But they liked the cut of my jib and they asked me to come back with a different accent than mine.”

He said he based the accent on a friend’s and because his fiancée’s family are from Manchester.

Dunster said it was unclear whether he would reprise the character as the fourth season has yet to be written.