Summary
- Ted Lasso's character development extends to even small recurring characters like Bex, who evolves throughout her appearances on the show.
- Bex, played by Keeley Hazell, is a kind and gentle person who becomes acquainted with Rebecca despite her relationship with Rebecca's ex-husband.
- Bex's story ends with her divorcing Rupert, demonstrating that people who don't work on themselves are bound to repeat their mistakes.
Apple TV has had some notable shows for subscribers to watch, but none as widely enjoyed as Ted Lasso. This series took immense care of its characters, developing them into well-rounded, three-dimensional characters one episode at a time. It wasn't just the core group that received such care either. Even small, recurring characters played a significant role and told a story. One such character was Bex.
Jason Sudeikis and the rest of the writers on the show knew exactly what they were doing when they started this venture. Bex only appeared in seven out of the 35 episodes of Ted Lasso, but each one told its own story. From her first appearance to her last, there's an evolution with the Bex character that's just as impactful as any other character developed on the show.
Who is Bex?
A lot of Ted Lasso deals with emotional trauma and managing it. One character who deals with her fair share of trauma is Hannah Waddingham's Rebecca Welton. The series starts with her taking ownership of AFC Richmond after winning the club in the divorce from her husband and terrible human being, Rupert Mannion. The audience immediately sees the distaste Rebecca has for her ex. Not only does Rupert immediately jump into a relationship, he rubs salt in the proverbial wound by getting involved with a woman with the same name.
Bex, short for Rebecca, isn't a main character, but she plays a significant role throughout Ted Lasso. Rebecca and the audience first meet Bex in season one's fourth episode "For the Children" at a charity benefit. Since the divorce was still fresh at this point, Rupert's relationship with Bex rightfully upset Rebecca. Eventually, Bex marries Rupert, but what's upsetting to Rebecca is the announcement of Bex's baby. It's made clear that Rupert never wanted kids. However, he vindictively informs Rebecca that he simply never wanted children with her.
Bex appears multiple times throughout the series as a recurring character, and she's always portrayed as a kind and gentle person. Despite Bex's relationship with Rupert and Rebecca's hatred for the man, the pair of Rebecca's become acquaintances. In fact, by the end of the series, Bex does the (un)expected.
Who Plays Bex on Ted Lasso?
Not to be confused with Keeley Jones, played by Juno Temple, Keeley Hazell plays Bex on Ted Lasso. If that seems confusing, it's because Temple's character Keeley is loosely based on Keeley Hazell. Keeley Jones is a former model (named Keeley) turned PR and marketing manager whereas Keeley Hazell is a model turned actress.
Audiences most likely recognize Hazell from her many appearances in men's lifestyle magazines such as FHM, loaded, and Zoo from the early 2000's. She was all over newsstands for many years until she eventually made the jump to acting in 2006 with a small part in Cashback. It wasn't until 2010 when Hazell received her first leading role in a short titled Venus and the Sun, based on the William Shakespeare poem Venus and Adonis.
Keeley Hazell landed a role alongside future co-star Jason Sudeikis in the hilarious Horrible Bosses 2, starring Jason Bateman and Charlie Day. That was the first time Sudeikis and Hazell met, only to be reunited in 2020 on Ted Lasso. The two dated for a year from 2021 to 2022 after Sudeikis's relationship with filmmaker Olivie Wilde ended in 2020.
How Does Bex's Story End?
The problem with human nature is that it's difficult for people to change unless they really want to. If people don't look inward at their flaws and try to actively work on themselves, they're bound to repeat past mistakes and continue bad habits. Rupert Mannion was a person of habit. Unfortunately, his habit was hurting those close to him, such as his wife.
Rebecca Welton and Rupert Mannion divorced because Rupert was unfaithful. When he ended up with Bex, it seemed like he was a changed man, especially since he went and had a child with her. However, when season three started up, it introduced Ms. Kakes, Rupert's assistant. In episode three of the third season, Rebecca witnesses Rupert and Ms. Kakes kissing, proving that he is just as unfaithful as ever. Instead of going to Bex, Rebecca gives Rupert the chance to change and tells him that Bex and the baby do not deserve that from him.
Fast forward to episode 11 "Mom City," Rebecca opens her front door to find the one and only Bex along with Ms. Kakes standing together. Then, in the series finale, Bex divorces Rupert. While everyone in the series from Ted to Jamie to Rebecca dealt with their emotional trauma, Rupert Mannion found himself in the same place he was at the beginning of the series: Divorced and alone.