‘I’m effectively now the villain, having started as the underdog’: Life according to… Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed

Actor and comedian Nick Mohammed on starring in Ted Lasso, acting with a comedy hero, stand-up and his remarkable memory.

You play Coach Nate in Ted Lasso. What’s it like to be involved in such a huge show?

It’s the kind of thing you dream about as an actor; to be cast in something like this and have big dramatic twists and turns. It’s been a real joy and not something I experienced until Ted Lasso.

Your character has gone from loveable underdog to villain. Are you surprised?

I remember speaking to Jason (Sudeikis, co-creator and star of the show) and him telling me if we were lucky enough to do two or three seasons that this was going to be the character arc for Nate and he outlined the whole thing. My goodness, was he true to his word. It’s so rare that a supporting character goes on a journey. I feel so indebted. It’s been a slow burner and there’s more of a rollercoaster to come in season three. I feel a responsibility to the character to try to get it right. There’s a lot of anticipation on where the character will be taken. I’m effectively now the villain, having started as the underdog. It’s an odd place to find myself.

You’re also known for a series you created, Intelligence?

That’s been another dream project. Getting to work with David Schwimmer. I’m a huge Friends fan. I watched it growing up and the idea of then getting to work with him still feels surreal, even though we are mates now. Two weeks ago, we finished a one-hour special coming out over Easter and hopefully we’ll do some more.

You’re about to go out on the road on your first UK stand-up tour?

I’ve only ever done the Edinburgh Fringe and London, with the odd mixed bill thrown in elsewhere. I’m really excited as well as apprehensive to take it on tour.

Is stand-up your first love?

It’s my true passion. Don’t get me wrong, I love acting and writing and it’s nice to flex those muscles but live performance is my bread and butter and how I got into this.

Hadn’t you been due to perform at the Fringe last summer?

Yes, Ted Lasso filming ran over a little. I was gutted but I did come up for the first weekend with my family to see some shows. I’ve been doing solo shows there since 2005 and doing my character, Mr Swallow, there since 2010.

Who is Mr Swallow?

He’s rambunctious, northern and quite camp. He’s based on a school teacher from my high school, so I’ve been doing the impression for about 25 years now. He’s a real busy body and easily distracted, with a big ego. He’s always the worst person in the room for the jobs he gives himself.

Does the teacher know you’ve based the character on them?

Sadly, she passed away a few years ago and I don’t think she was ever aware. I was never open about it until she passed. Teachers from the school have been in touch to ask me but I’ve never named her and probably never will. I think of Mr Swallow as an homage to her now.

Clips of Mr Swallow performing feats like memorising a pack of playing cards have gone viral. Do you have a good memory?

My eldest son has an eidetic memory, which is essentially photographic, but mine is good too. The maths and memory stunts I’ve done are real and legit; it’s stuff I’ve taught myself.

You have an upcoming Disney+ series and a film with Tina Fey and Jon Hamm, so is acting the route you’ll continue on now?

I’d been working for a number of years and then Ted Lasso and Intelligence effectively happened at the same time. I guess it has a snowball effect and I’m happy to keep riding the wave. I count myself lucky. It’s lots of fun at the moment.

Nick Mohammed: The Very Best & Worst Of Mr Swallow, Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh, Tramway, Glasgow, April 1-2.