Brett Goldstein's Road to Roy Kent and Beyond: How His Comedy Journey Continues to Surprise

Many of us know Brett Goldstein as the gruff but lovable Roy Kent from Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso. He won two Emmy Awards for that part which is certainly a big deal. But before he became a household name, Goldstein was already working with Bill Lawrence, the mind behind Scrubs. Back in 2017, Lawrence cast Goldstein opposite Donald Faison in a show called Spaced Out. This NBC workplace sitcom never actually made it to TV. It is interesting to think about how close Goldstein was to a totally different path.

I had a chance to hear Goldstein talk about his first time working with Lawrence at the ATX TV Festival. He remembered it was his second pilot season in Los Angeles. He had done a pilot for HBO the year before. It was good but it did not get picked up. Then he came back and tried out for Bill’s new show. Goldstein was excited about it because he loved Bill’s past work like Scrubs. He was also thrilled Donald Faison was in it. This early project shows that Goldstein was always around talented people even before his big break.

Brett Goldstein's Early Attempts in Hollywood and the Sci-Fi Pilot That Almost Changed Everything

The Hilarious Behind-the-Scenes Story of "Space Turk" And a Near Miss for Ted Lasso

Spaced Out was written by Adam Sztykiel and Lawrence was an executive producer. It starred Matt Shively as a working-class smart guy who struggled to fit in with a team of scientists. Goldstein Faison Miranda Cosgrove Christine Woods and Ken Kirby played these scientists. Their job was to build a rocket to Mars. Goldstein called it "Space Turk." Lawrence jokingly said it was not called that but the name stuck. Goldstein said that everyone on set felt the pilot was truly special. He said they thought it was going to be something big. So much so that Bill's producing partner Jeff Ingold told him "See you in August!" before they finished filming.

Goldstein took that seriously. He started packing up his house in England. He even sold his place. Then a month later he got the news: the show was not happening. He asked himself "Where do I live?!" This story highlights how uncertain the TV business can be. It also shows Goldstein's commitment even to projects that do not go anywhere. It was a close call that could have sent him in a very different direction. We are all lucky it did not work out because it eventually led him to Ted Lasso.

Lawrence did keep in touch with Goldstein. A few years later he called Goldstein out of the blue. He told Goldstein he was going to make a football show and asked if he wanted to write on it. Goldstein said no at first. He had a big stand-up show booked. Lawrence said the show started next week. Goldstein replied he had his stand-up shows. His friend and fellow comedian Nish Kumar told him to cancel the show. But his commitment to his stand-up dates was not the only reason he said no. Goldstein had also developed a show called Soulmates for AMC. Almost as soon as he agreed to write on Ted Lasso Soulmates got picked up. Goldstein exclaimed "F–k!" His schedule became incredibly busy very quickly.

Lawrence later shared that Goldstein was running Soulmates while also writing on Ted Lasso. At that time Goldstein did not know he would also play Roy Kent. But Lawrence said it was all Brett. They were writing the part and Goldstein filmed an audition on his own. He sent it to everyone and Lawrence said he "absolutely killed it." This shows how much his talent shone through and how he truly earned the role that made him famous. It was a happy accident that worked out for everyone.

A Look at Brett Goldstein's Stand-Up Comedy and His HBO Special "The Second Best Night of Your Life"

How His Humorous Observations Connect With Audiences Through Personal Stories

I had some thoughts about Brett Goldstein as a stand-up comedian. I wondered if a person known for being nice could actually be amazing on stage. His first HBO special "The Second Best Night of Your Life" did not totally calm my worries from the trailer. There is something about Goldstein that seems different from what stand-up often demands. Can someone notoriously nice really be great on stage while staying that way? Mostly yes. His special does not have anything groundbreaking. It also does not have many particularly deep thoughts. But it is more than just watching Roy Kent do stand-up.

Goldstein is funny charming and friendly. His comedy feels like a casual chat a Brit might have with an American friend after a few too many drinks at a pub. A lot of his jokes are about the well-known differences between Britain and America. He talks about American public restrooms not having much privacy. He mentions the weird way Americans end phone calls. He also has a joke about how Brits and Americans use a certain four-letter word. The story behind the special's title is very much like Brett Goldstein. He says the best day of his life was when he appeared on Sesame Street. He jokes that nothing else not even having kids will ever top hanging out with the Cookie Monster. He called Cookie Monster an addict still in his "fun stage."

He also jokes about overly masculine behavior. He imagines how much better boxing would be if fighters took certain substances before matches. He also makes fun of Shakespeare's ridiculous plots while praising musicals. His section on relationships and being single gets closest to something personal. But even then Goldstein keeps a certain distance. He is funny but there is not much real vulnerability. His self-deprecating humor sometimes feels planned relying on common ideas about men or Brits. It feels like he is still figuring out his comedy style. He is someone who is not quite ready to show his deepest feelings on stage the way some great comedians do. He mentions Ted Lasso and Sesame Street but he does not go deeper. He does not take real risks. He does not try to change the usual comedy format. I believe he is an excellent person but perhaps a decent comedian. His special is worth watching but not essential.

Brett Goldstein's Ongoing Partnership With Bill Lawrence and the "Found Family" Theme in Shrinking

Exploring How Their Creative Connection Builds Stories About Support and Human Connection

Goldstein’s successful work with Bill Lawrence continued beyond Ted Lasso, especially with their show Shrinking. This series, also on Apple TV+, has quickly become a favorite. Lawrence has a knack for creating shows that start with a small idea and then grow into a whole world. He describes Shrinking not just as a workplace comedy but as a "found family show." This idea is a big part of how Lawrence approaches his storytelling. He likes to build a world where the characters become a close-knit group. This happens even if they were not related by blood.

Shrinking centers on therapist Jimmy (Jason Segel). He starts breaking ethical rules to help his patients. He also tries to deal with his own grief after his wife's death. Early episodes focus on his connections with co-workers Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams. It also shows his relationship with a patient Luke Tennie. Lawrence said that in old network comedies you would usually stay in one setting like a mayor's office. But with streaming services he and his Shrinking co-creators Brett Goldstein and Jason Segel felt free to explore more. They knew that even with a show about therapists there was always a lot of human messiness built in.

Lawrence mentioned that everyone on Shrinking has messy things going on in their lives. He said everyone is a few steps away from some kind of trauma. He also noted it still needs to be funny. The show manages to make even the tough-guy Harrison Ford part of the comedy which is hard to do. What I found impressive is how the show starts giving time not just to the main therapists and their problems. It also focuses on the people around them. This includes Jimmy's neighbor Liz (Christa Miller) and his previously distant best friend Brian (Michael Urie).

Brian initially seemed like a minor character. He was so far from the main action in the first episode. Michael Urie even got scenes from the second episode for his tryout. Urie read the script and found it beautiful and funny. He thought they had a lot to explore with his character and they did. Over two seasons Brian has bonded with almost all the other main characters. This includes Miller’s Liz who accepts a job as the nanny for the child Brian and his husband are adopting. This shows Lawrence’s talent for bringing everyone together. Christa Miller who is Lawrence's wife and has been in many of his shows said he spends a lot of time on casting and chemistry. She noted that the cast has become close friends and their relationships have grown naturally. This helps the show feel real and warm.

What's Next For Brett Goldstein As He Continues To Balance Comedy, Writing, And Acting Roles

Looking Ahead At His Projects And The Impact He Has Had On Television

Brett Goldstein clearly loves what he does. He balances his roles as an actor writer and comedian. He brings a unique humor to everything he touches whether it is the sharp wit of Roy Kent or his honest stand-up comedy. His ability to connect with people and make them laugh is obvious. It is what makes him so good at his job. I think his work will continue to bring joy and thoughtful laughs to audiences for a long time.

It is fascinating to see how Goldstein’s career has developed. From almost missing out on Ted Lasso because of another show to finding his voice in stand-up, his journey is certainly not typical. His partnership with Bill Lawrence is strong. It seems they will keep creating shows that feel personal and relatable. These shows focus on the idea that friendship and chosen family can get us through anything. This is a message that always connects with viewers. I am looking forward to seeing what Goldstein does next. He always manages to surprise us with his talent and his distinctive way of looking at the world.