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Sam Obisanya

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Sam Obisanya
Ted Lasso character
First appearance
"Pilot"
Last appearance
"So Long, Farewell"
Created byBill Lawrence
Jason Sudeikis
Portrayed byToheeb Jimoh
In-universe information
Full nameSamuel Obisanya
GenderMale
FamilyOla Obisanya(father)
NationalityNigerian
Occupation
Footballer
Position
Midfielder
Team
AFC Richmond

Samuel Obisanya is a fictional character from the Apple TV+ television series Ted Lasso performed by Toheeb Jimoh.[1] He is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a midfielder[2] for A.F.C. Richmond initially starting out as a right-back.

Jimoh won and received nominations for several awards for his portrayal of Obisanya, including a Primetime Emmy Awards, Hollywood Music in Media Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards,and a Celebration of Black Cinema and Television. He was featured as a playable character and reprised the role in FIFA 23.

Fictional biography and role in Ted Lasso

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Sam Obisanya is a Nigerian footballer who began his professional career in Nigeria before moving to England to continue playing.[3] He joined A.F.C. Richmond from a club in the Nigerian Football League(fictional).[4][5]

He arrived at the club during the first season. At the age of 21, he became the youngest player in the Richmond squad, initially playing as a defender. Under coach Ted Lasso, Sam gradually became more confident and developed a stronger role within the team.[4] Following Richmond's relegation from the Premier League(fictional) at the end of the first season,[a] Sam became more prominent in the squad after Lasso helped him transition from defender to midfielder, and his performances improved as he became more involved in the team's play.[7]

During the third episode of the second season, Sam was offered the opportunity to appear in an advertising campaign for Dubai Air(fictional), one of Richmond's sponsors. After learning from his father about the environmental damage caused by Cerithium Oil(fictional) in Nigeria.[8] Sam withdrew from the campaign. During the match, he covers the logo of the sponsor on his Richmond shirt, and others follow his example in a match against Coventry City(fictional). Due to this event, Sam becomes more active concerning the issues that influence him and his country,[9][10] And spoke publicly about the relationship between the Nigerian government(fictional)[11] and Cerithium Oil. The controversy resulted in Dubai Air ending its sponsorship of Richmond.[12][13]

In a Championship league game, Sam earns his first hat-trick for Richmond. Immediately after this game, a wealthy Ghanaian business man named Edwin Akufo, who comes to Richmond with an offer to buy Sam’s contract for an African team.[14][15] In the episode Midnight Train to Royston Akufo had plan to buy Raja Casablanca, a team that comprised some of the best African footballers and, in the future, assist one of them to win the FIFA World Cup. He gives Sam three days to think about this offer, and Ted Lasso agrees with whatever decision Sam takes. While tempted by the proposal, he ended up staying with Richmond Football Club when the club got promoted back to Premier League.[4]

Sam late engaged in the process of opening the Nigerian restaurant called Ola's, named after his father. The business allowed him to remain loyal to Nigerian culture despite the fact that he lives in England.[16]

Development and portrayal

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Sam was originally written as a Ghanaian character. The production later changed his nationality to Nigerian after Toheeb Jimoh was cast.[17] Jimoh auditioned for the role using the birthday cake scene, in which Sam rejects the toy soldier[18][5] because of its association with imperialism.[19] Jimoh was cast as Sam Obisanya, a Nigerian footballer for A.F.C. Richmond, in Ted Lasso. Casting director Theo Park said the production was looking for an actor who could give Sam warmth and positive energy. Park said about a dozen actors were considered for the role before Jimoh was selected.[20][21] Jimoh's background also informed his portrayal of Sam. Born in London to Nigerian parents, he moved to Nigeria at the age of toddler and moved back to London at the age of seven. He said that his experience of moving between Nigeria and the United Kingdom helped him relate to Sam's experience as a young Nigerian living abroad.[22][23] Jimoh had also played football while growing up and said that playing a Nigerian character and a footballer had both been ambitions of his, making the role particularly appealing to him.[19]

Jimoh's portrayal developed alongside Sam's growing prominence in the series. In the first season, Sam is portrayed as a reserved Nigerian footballer who is adjusting to life in England and trying to find his place at Richmond. By the second season, the character was given a larger role and had become a more notable member of the team and one of its leaders. Jimoh said that Sam had matured from a homesick player who had not yet found his place within the team into someone who was confident enough to stand by his convictions and challenge others, including Ted. During the storyline involving the club's sponsor, Dubai Air. Writer Ashley Nicole Black said the storyline was developed around the question of how young athletes can use their public platform to speak about issues they believe in.[24][25]

Jimoh’s portrayal of Sam was also influenced by his knowledge of Nigerian culture and his personal experiences. He explained that the character was shaped by his relationship with his father and the influence of his parents as role models on his values, confidence and understanding of masculinity.[24] Jimoh later said that Ted Lasso uses its sports-comedy premise to explore its characters and other subjects.[26]

Relationships

[edit]

His relationship with Rebecca Welton was one of Ted Lasso's central relationships.[27][28] Sam starts communicating with a lady using the dating app called Bantr.[3][29] He falls for this lady and at one point suggests that they meet in Le Tucci. After meeting up Sam learns that the anonymous Bantr match was Rebecca Welton. It turns out that the two had unknowingly been communicating before. The two go on dinner together and Sam brings Rebecca back home where they have a kiss.[30] After losing to Manchester City(fictional) in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, Rebecca sends a message to Sam asking if he is free. After sending messages back and forth, the two decide to meet at Rebecca's place and start a secret relationship.[31]

Sam has a close relationship with his father, Ola Obisanya, who remains an important influence in his life.[32][33]

Reception

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Critical reception

In a review for the second season Lucy Mangan of The Guardian highlighted his storyline involving the Black Lives Matter movement and the controversy surrounding Richmond's sponsor, describing it as a storyline that handled the subject in a moving and unforced way. Mangan also said that the series gave its supporting characters greater depth in the second season.[34] Josh Spiegel of What to Watch similarly singled out Sam (Jimoh) as one of the strongest parts of the second season, describing him as the show's "secret best part" and praising the character.[35] British GQ later described Sam as the "moral beating heart" of the series, citing his kindness and his development as a midfielder.[22] Africa Is a Country noted that relatively little critical discussion had focused on Sam compared with other major characters, while highlighting his Nigerian identity and the storylines concerning race, football and Africa's place within the fictional professional game.[4] His performance in the second-season episode "Do the Right-est Thing", in which Sam opposes Richmond's sponsor Dubai Air, was particularly well received, with critics praising the character's development and Jimoh's restrained performance.[36]

Sam's relationship with Rebecca received a more mixed review. The Washington Post described Jimoh's portrayal of Sam as "endearing and seductive", but questioned aspects of the relationship because of the difference in age and Rebecca's position as the character who signs Sam's paychecks.[37] Salon was more critical of Sam's character development, arguing that although he was portrayed as thoughtful, gentle and emotionally intelligent, the series had revealed little about his inner life, motivations or personal development beyond his relationships and interests.[38]

The storyline involving Dubai Air also drew criticism from some reviewers. Writing for Alison Gillmor The Winnipeg Free Press, the reviewer argued that Sam's confrontation with the sponsor raised the issue of economic imperialism in Nigeria but resolved the conflict too easily.[39]

Criticism of his portrayal as an African character

Scholar Rukmini Pande, writing in the Journal of Popular Television in 2024 analyzed Sams story in relation to race and English football. Pande says that the show Ted Lasso deals with racism by focusing on what individuals do rather than looking at bigger problems in institutions. She points out that Sam is one of the characters of color in the series, whose inner lives receive less attention than those of white characters. Pande also says that Sams good portrayal can become a form of tokenism and a "post-racial" view of race.[40]

Accolades

[edit]

Toheeb Jimoh won and was nominated for many awards for his portrayal of Sam Obinsaya.

Awards and nominations received by Toheeb Jimoh
Award Year Category Result Ref.
Celebration of Black Cinema and Television 2021 Breakthrough Actor – Television Won [41]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy Nominated [42]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated [43]
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2021 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated [44][45][46]
2022 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2024 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated

In other media

[edit]

Sam Obinsaya appeared in the 2023 video game FIFA 23 by EA Sports as a playable character for A.F.C. Richmond.[47]

Notes

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  1. ↑ AFC Richmond played its final match of the season against Manchester City as depicted in the episode "The Hope That Kills You". Richmond lost the match at Nelson Road and was relegated from the Premier League to the Championship. [6]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Adesina, Precious (2023-03-23). "On and Off 'Ted Lasso,' Toheeb Jimoh Has Stepped Out of the Background". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  2. ↑ Tomberlin, Jessica; Lealos, Shawn S.; Thompson, Cher (2021-08-17). "Ted Lasso: Every Real Life Footballer The Characters Are Based On". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  3. 1 2 "Rebecca & Sam's Age-Gap Relationship On Ted Lasso Has Generated A Lot Of Buzz". Yahoo Entertainment. 2026-08-16. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Havstad, Lilly (March 2, 2022). "Ted Lasso and the Afropolitan". Africa Is a Country. Retrieved 2026-08-25. The Afropolitics of one of the characters, Sam Obisanya, makes the second season of TV series "Ted Lasso" even better than the first.
  5. 1 2 Kerr, Mandi (2021-08-15). "'Ted Lasso': Sam Obisanya's Toheeb Jimoh Auditioned With a Memorable Scene From Season 1". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2026-08-27.
  6. ↑ "3 Takeaways from AFC Richmond v Manchester City". AFC Richmond. Retrieved 2026-08-27.
  7. ↑ "Water...and the Ted Lasso effect". SECOND SIGHT. 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  8. ↑ Power, Tom (20 March 2023). "Toheeb Jimoh on 'Ted Lasso', representing Nigeria and finding his voice". CBC. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Jones, Brian (2021-08-06). "'Ted Lasso' Season 2: Sam Makes Controversial Decision That Impacts AFC Richmond in Episode 3". PopCulture.com. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  10. ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (2021-08-07). "Ted Lasso Recap: AFC Richmond Rallies Behind Sam To 'Do The Right-Est Thing'". TVLine. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  11. ↑ "Nigerian Environmental Justice in the Locker Room of Ted Lasso: A Conversation with Roy Doron -". 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  12. ↑ Yoesting, Travis (7 August 2021). "The World Needs More Footballers Like Sam Obisanya". The18. Archived from the original on 15 March 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  13. ↑ McCormick, Colin; Hood, Cooper (2021-08-06). "Ted Lasso: Is Dubai Air Real? Season 2 Controversy Explained". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  14. ↑ Naletilic, Dora (2023-05-21). "'Ted Lasso': Who Is Edwin Akufo? & Why Does He Hate Sam?". Fiction Horizon. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  15. ↑ Bardini, Julio (2023-05-22). "'Ted Lasso' Season 3: Is Edwin Akufo's Super League Based on Real Life?". Collider. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  16. ↑ Myers, Kendall (2023-04-28). "This Is the Only 'Ted Lasso' Character That Deserves a Spinoff". Collider. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  17. ↑ "'Ted Lasso' Casting Process Changed the International Team's Composition". Yahoo Entertainment. 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  18. ↑ Ferguson, Deborah (2021-09-17). "Toheeb Jimoh -". Content mode. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  19. 1 2 Jarabek, Danny (2023-06-09). "Interview: Embodying the Joy of 'Ted Lasso' with Toheeb Jimoh". Awards Radar. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  20. ↑ Milling, Robin (2021-08-24). "Ted Lasso Casting Director Theo Park Fulfills Each Role With the 'Ted Lasso Effect' - M&E - Media and Entertainment". mande.net. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  21. ↑ babrams (2023-08-31). "Best of Summer 2023: Emmy-Nominated Casting Director Theo Park on Fielding the Perfect Squad for "Ted Lasso"". Motion Picture Association. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  22. 1 2 Ford, Lucy (2023-04-19). "Toheeb Jimoh is ready to hang up his boots". British GQ. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  23. ↑ "How Toheeb Jimoh of 'Ted Lasso' found his character's home — and his own". Los Angeles Times. 2022-08-03. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  24. 1 2 Rodriguez, Karla (2022-01-05). "'Ted Lasso' Star Toheeb Jimoh Talks Male Vulnerability, Sports Activism and Being a Child of Immigrants". Complex. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  25. ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (2022-02-21). "Fresh Off Ted Lasso, Emmy Winner Ashley Nicole Black Is On A Mission To 'Make More People Feel Seen'". TVLine. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  26. ↑ Lewis, Tim (2023-04-09). "'I look for the good in all situations': The Power's Toheeb Jimoh". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  27. ↑ Hall, Cameron Roy (2022-06-22). "Ted Lasso Stars Get Real About Sam And Rebecca's Unconventional Romance". Looper. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  28. ↑ Daley, Katerina (2021-10-11). "Ted Lasso: 10 Ways Sam & Rebecca Are Perfect Together". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2026-08-27.
  29. ↑ Stevenson, Rick (2021-08-28). "Ted Lasso's Rebecca Bantr Match Twist Fixes Season 2's Problems". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  30. ↑ Breznican, Anthony (2021-08-27). "'Ted Lasso' Shock: Rebecca's Secret Online Lover Revealed". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  31. ↑ L; i; n; d; a; H; o; l; m (2021-09-10). "'Ted Lasso' Recap, Season 2, Episode 8: Father Figures". NPR. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  32. ↑ "Ted Lasso Season 3: Who plays Sam's dad?". Dexerto. 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  33. ↑ Lerner, Jamie (2023-04-26). "Sam Has the Best Dad in 'Ted Lasso' (Even If He Is Somewhat Evil in 'Game of Thrones')". Distractify. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  34. ↑ Mangan, Lucy (2021-07-23). "Ted Lasso season two review – the most joyous show on TV scores again". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  35. ↑ Spiegel, Josh; Obisanya, as Sam (2021-08-27). "In Praise of the Secret Weapon of 'Ted Lasso': Toheeb Jimoh". What to Watch. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  36. ↑ Sophia, Gissane (2021-08-06). "Ted Lasso Season 2, Episode 3 Review: 'Do the Right-est Thing'". Lady Geeks Media. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  37. ↑ Rosenberg, Alyssa (2021-09-30). "Opinion | 'Ted Lasso' is a sweet show. But this season's big romance has a sour taste". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  38. ↑ McFarland, Melanie (2021-09-25). "OK "Ted Lasso" fans, time to have a conversation about our dear, wonderful Sam Obisanya". Salon.com. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  39. ↑ "Jul 2021: Opinion: After Season 2's slow start, Ted Lasso finds back of net". Winnipeg Free Press. 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  40. ↑ Pande, Rukmini (2024-09-02). "Do not fight back, fight forward: An analysis of Ted Lasso's approach to systemic race/ism in the English Premier League". Journal of Popular Television, The. 12 (2): 149–164. doi:10.1386/jptv_00121_1. ISSN 2046-9861.
  41. ↑ Hammond, Pete (November 10, 2021). "Will Smith, Ava DuVernay & Antoine Fuqua Among New Honorees For CCA's Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  42. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (July 7, 2022). "'This Is Us,' 'Succession,' 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  43. ↑ Snierson, Dan (September 12, 2022). "See the full list of 2022 Emmy winners". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  44. ↑ Gonzalez, Sandra (April 4, 2021). "SAG Awards: See the full list of winners". CNN. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  45. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (February 27, 2022). "CODA blazes trail for deaf actors at Screen Actors Guild Awards 2022: See the full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  47. ↑ "FIFA 23: AFC Richmond player ratings & Ted Lasso Ultimate Team rewards | Goal.com". www.goal.com. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2026-08-27.
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