Billy Harris Keynote Speaker

After graduating from Bristol Old Vic in 2017, Billy Harris made his screen debut in Apple TV+’s hit comedy show TED LASSO. The series follows American football coach, Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis), as he takes on the challenge to coach the struggling English Premier League football team AFC Richmond. What Ted lacks in football knowledge he makes up for in positivity and ambition. The first two seasons scooped up the following awards in both 2021 and 2022: ‘Outstanding Comedy Series’ at the Emmy Awards and ‘Best Comedy Series’ at the Critics’ Choice Awards. In 2022, the show won ‘Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series’ at the SAG Awards and was also nominated in the ‘Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy’ category at the Golden Globes. Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein and Juno Temple also star in the show.

The third season of TED LASSO, which launched on 15th March 2023, has been a poignant moment for Billy’s character, Colin Hughes, who embarks on a coming out journey. In episode 6, Colin opens up to Trent Crimm about his longing for his two lives – his football life and his private life as a gay man – to be able to merge together. The storyline is explored even further as we continue through season 3.

In 2019, Billy starred in the stage adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s bestselling novel NOUGHTS & CROSSES for Pilot Theatre. Directed by Esther Richardson, Billy played Callum at the Theatre Royal Stratford East which continued to tour the UK.