Emmy 2023 Nominations Once Again Prove This Was Ted Lasso's Best Duo

OK, let's get this out of the way. The relationship between Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt is an exploration of what would have happened if Roy Keane and Jack Grealish had been in the same team. Only, you can't help feeling that a real-life relationship wouldn't have blossomed in the same way.

As for Roy and Jamie in the show, there is no doubt that their bromance makes them the best duo in Ted Lasso.

Of course, the pair got off to a rocky start. In the early days, Roy hated Jamie and frequently shouted 'Tartt!' as a prelude to some form of abuse. Jamie, for his part, loved nothing more than winding Roy up and reminding him of his age.

However, through a series of early morning runs and a bike ride around Amsterdam, the two grew to have a sort of respect for each other. Although neither of them really wanted to admit that they might actually be moving towards a real friendship.

In fact, when Jamie made the first move and tried to hug his teammate, Roy went for him. Which was unsurprising, considering they'd never gotten that close without being pulled apart.

Both characters were perfectly portrayed. While Roy mellowed slightly over the course of the series, Jamie matured. There were no road to Damascus moments for either. No defining moments. Everything about each of them individually, and the bond they developed together, was authentic.

And their newfound admiration for each other was summed up beautifully when Jamie arrived at Roy's Uncle's Day celebration with a gift that Roy couldn't help but 'love'. In a piece of TV genius, this was preceded by Phoebe saying she'd invited Jamie because he was Roy's best friend, prompting both men to exclaim, 'Not my best friend'.

To no one's surprise, they were both nominated for Emmys, along with the rest of the cast.

And credit must go to the writers for their expert handling of the bromance, and to both Brett Goldstein (Roy) and Phil Dunster (Jamie) for bringing the script to life so well. It probably helped that Goldstein was one of the show's writers - and there were shades of the way Ricky Gervais is able not only to play his own character so well, but also to bring out the best in those around him.

As with AFC Richmond, whether they win or not, there's no doubt that victory would be well deserved.