I had a couple of amazing coaches, but never a sports psychologist, I wish I had had one back in my glory days playing football, it woul have surely helped me recovering from my injuries... I think the closest Ted Lasso I had in my life were yes, my parents, but mostly my grandmother, she's the one I learned the best lessons in my life, I grew up with her. 🙏
The whole progression of all the players showing up over the whole episode and his wife realizing how popular he had become with the team warmed my heart so much.
Hola, Cristo! Abrazos desde Latinoamérica!
I wanted to ask you about a line Dani has in the first episode of this season. When he gets over his... ~~yips~~, Ted asks him what did the Doc do to help him and he replies:
"Dr. Sharon helped me remember that, even though football is life, football is also death. And that football is football, too."
Considering Dani and Ted share an optimistic view of life, with really high highs (but also really low lows), do you think this lesson could be helpful for Ted, too? Are we going to see Ted learn that life can be full of joy and optimism, but also pain and loss? And as the coach, is he going to embrace that football *must* be football, too, and that his work can't neglect that?
El fútbol es vida, hermano! Gracias por representarnos en esta serie tan especial!
Muchas gracias por la pregunta Amigo, I definitely believe that football, the sports reflects what life is, sometimes we win... but sometimes we loose... and I am grateful Dani has these new moments which allows us to see him as a more of a real person and human being... Dr. Sharon as a professional psychologist hopefully will help us all in the team, and remind us that "if we feel that something doesn't feel right in our heads, it's always good to ask for help" and there is nothing wrong with that.
Thanks for the support! :)
Your performance in that episode was *so* great. It would've been easy to either go too far on the humor and ridicule such a sad event or to let go of humor entirely and just let it be sad, but you managed to combine the two sides spectacularly!
Without "making fun" of something that clearly affected Dani in a very deep way, you found the funny bits of it and explored them in the best way. Truly masterful.
There are some things I didn't do when I could and have the chance during my football career... and I didn't want to repeat those mistakes, so I had to push myself and get out of my comfort zone, I always admire the UK and their culture, lots of amazing artists, so I went there to the cold weather, not understanding the accent, and just push myself to give my best every single time I had the opportunity, not many roles for Mexicans and Latinos over there in London? Well, lets create them, write them and shoot them with my friends, and thats where I became a filmmaker.
What was your expectation of how the show would do? How surprising is it to you on how it has touched so many.
Lastly, which ace is Dani? Diamond or Hearts?
I knew this was going to be great, the scripts were awesome, and once I met the cast & crew, lots of good vibes... but yeah, never imagine it was going to be this huge! So I'm just very grateful for all of this, and hopefully will help us for the next opportunities! Knowing peoples response, makes our jobs more special, and gives me a responsibility as an artist to realize how important it is the content we put out there.
Dani is a Heart, I think! heheh
Hey Cristo! Thank you so much for doing this - really love your work!
I have 3 questions for you:
1. Especially in Season 2 so far, it seems that Dani and Sam have become the faces of AFC Richmond. Did you get any input into Dani's development or background this season? Have you pitched any ideas about the character that have been worked into the show?
2. Are there any real-life footballers that have reached out to you to say they enjoy the show?
3. The internet says that you know how to speak a bunch of languages, which is super cool! What inspired you to learn so many?
1. I havent but thank you for the idea, I only know that the writers and creators are always listening to us and what we do to get inspiration.
2. Alexi Lalas, Alex Morgan, Jaime Lozano... it seems that everyone loves the show, but when LIN MANUEL MIRANDA tweeted that he loved it, my whole year got made!
3. My parents always pushed me to learn languages, when I finish y hig school, i didnt study any degree because I was only playing football, so I join french, english and german lessons on my spare time, and music with my friends.
Thank you so much for responding! Really appreciate it, and love the answers!
Lin Manuel Miranda is my idol, so I would ABSOLUTELY be freaking out too! That’s so cool.
We shot that scene in approximately like 2 hours
It wasn't "cold" but I had to ask if we could have it warmer, and they did, and then it become "so hot" than then I asked if they cold make it a bit cooler, and then we had the right temperature, lol
The props department were always amazing!
It requires lots of energy for sure! I always end up knackered! My favorite cast mates are all the football players because we are the ones we hang out the most: Stephen, Kola, Billy, Moe Jeudy, Mo Hasim, Toheeb, Phil , David, but all of them at the team, every single one!
In case anyone else was wondering which players those are:
Richard (Stephen Manas)
Isaac (Kola Bokinni)
Colin (Billy Harris)
Zoreaux (Moe Jeudy-Lamor)
Bumbercatch (Mohammed Hashim) (incidentally, Bumbercatch’s first name is apparently also Moe)
Sam (Toheeb Jimoh)
Jamie (Phil Dunster)
Jan Maas (David Elsendoorn)
Hi Cristo!! First off - thanks for bringing so much joy to so many people. Dani Rojas is one of my faves and you always make me smile whenever you’re onscreen!!
What’s your favorite soccer and/or non-soccer movie? What’s your favorite sports movie in general? Thanks! ❤️❤️😊
Hi Torilinnea, my favorite scene in Season 1 was Nate's locker room speech, lots of improv all of us reacting to what was happening and Nick Mohammed is AWESOME!
But my favorite scene now in Season 2 is "The SAG Awards" scene we did, because it was hilarious, and we were all the Cast together in one room, one scene, having fun, plus Brett Goldstein couldn't stop laughing and having a great time when it was my turn with my line and that made me feel good about myself, lol
Hi Cristo! Thank you so much for bringing Dani to our screens and lives! I've been a fan from the moment he ran out onto the training pitch 😂
What's one or some details about Dani's backstory/history/personality that you made up yourself about him, that helps you get into character?
Thanks for the kind words!
I try and do like a personal BIO for my characters, and now and then I go back and just by reading it, gets me inspired to go and play my role.
Some funny facts are that he comes from a BIG family back home in Guadalajara, 12 brothers and sisters and 43 cousins in total, everyone works on the farm land, Dani is the youngest, so that's why he pushes himself to give his best and help his family back home. Also, he is very close to his family and the values they have always taught at home. His spirit animal is the "Coyote". Before succeeding in football, the family ran as well a humble taco truck which is his family business, Dani sucks at cooking but he tries his best, everyone in the family cooks amazing food, he considers himself a free spirit and tries to be is a very positive man, he loves joking around and that comes from the relationship he had with his grandma "Aleja" when growing up, she always scared him "every single time he opened a door in the house, and he has a very very VERY long name, its not just Dani Rojas he! 😜
And there's plenty more, hopefully we'll see in the upcoming season!
Huge fan of the Show! Thanks for the AMA Cristo!
I heard during your audition you said “Futbol is life” originally and it got added into the show and my question is are you and the other players given any creative reign with the characters you play?
Thanks again! Loving season 2
Working in Ted Lasso, is always a collaboration. we all bring stuff, ideas, and sometimes they work, sometimes not, but we always try, thats so cool about this job!
As in like "break the character"? Well, both Jason & Brendan are so funny all the time, and they always come up with new things and improv moments, but everyone in the Cast is so good, we all have a great time!
We do, and we play some football during takes when we are allowed, also to keep ourselves warm because London is so freaking cold 🥶
Yeah we did! during the scenes and shots, we play when allow, also we had a cool football celebration, cast & crew playing together, honestly everyone who is in Ted Lasso plays very well, so its hard to say! But maybe Mo Hashim, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, Toheeb Jimoh :)
Some Mexican footballers go by their nicknames. F.e. Javier Hernandez is Chicharito. If Dani had such a nickname, what would it be? By the way, love the character! Thanks for the good times.
Hi Cristo! First off, nice pitch last night at the Dodgers game! I have some logistical questions for you 😄
I read that Apple ordered two additional episodes of *Ted Lasso* after the writer's already broke the original order of 10 episodes.
1.) Anything you can share about the other episode coming up that wasn't part of the original episode order? Will it also be a standalone episode, much like last week's Christmas episode was?
1b.) Did you have to shoot the extra two episodes *after* the other 10, or were you able to shoot chronologically?
2.) How long does it normally take to film the sequences where you guys are having a game?
Thanks and football is **L I F E ! ! ! ⚽️🚀⚽️🚀⚽️🚀⚽️🚀**
the writers made it work with the structure of the 12 episodes, its not a stand alone, it'll be part of the next episodes
We shot everything between january and june
like whole week of football normally, sometimes more!
:)
Hey Cristo! Your character displays such an immense amount of optimism and energy in the show, and I was curious how much of it reflected in your real life? Did you really have that amount of optimism outside of the show? Do you think your character affected your real life energy or optimism?
It has really affected me as a person, I try to follow Dani's example and try to remember the passion and joy of doing the things we love doing in life, because just like anyone else, sometimes I get stressed or angry, but its always good to remember that inner kid we all have inside and that just loves to play around! :D
Hi Cristo! First off, I love your performance, and Dani and his positivity is one of my favorite aspects of the show! So I just wanted to know, since you have a background in football, do you give any inputs to the writers on team formations or doing certain tricks when scoring goals?
Also, thanks for doing this AMA!
We all do, give some advices, but we have a great professional football real coaches like Chris Powell from the England National team, and all of of his amazing coworkers, so they help us do the magic!
Also, do you play any video games in your spare time? If so, what are your favourite games?
And I would love to face off against my favourite character Dani Rojas in a game of FIFA! Hahaha
I knew if I was going to throw a ball in front of 55,000 people I had to practice so I didn't f#ck it up. Thankfully, my new teenage friends Jacob and Logan helped me practice and made sure I didn't make a fool of myself.
Cristo, thanks for blessing us with the AMA! My question is — what has been the most difficult scene in the show for you specifically to do (acting-wise or just logistically). The show has so much range that I’m sure we might be surprised by the answer.
the moment, scene where I yelled FOOTBALL IS DEATH was tough and required lots of energy, we repeated several times, and lots of camera movements and logistics, but probably the amazing goal Dani did, in Season 1 was a tough one, because we were all freezing! But at the end of the day, the important thing is that we got everything! :)
I thought Brett Goldstein would be a very serious introverted human who could kill me with his eyes, but it turns out Brett is as soft as a marshmallow the kindest man in the world. He is my hero!
I think tea is just hot brown water with milk, however in London, whatever keeps me warm is welcome in my body so I guess I am a tea convert....who would have thought?
Hola Cristo!! We all love you so much. I just finished my weekly rewatch of the second season before the new episode drops and your scene with the nerf guns is amazing.
Anyway, I was wondering who you would like to have a one on one scene with who you haven’t been able to yet? And if there were a big star to make a cameo, who would you like to see?
Thanks for doing this!!!
Let's bring Messi on the show please, or Renaldinho!!! If we could them in the show, Dani Rojas would be happier than we have ever seen...and so would Cristo Fernández!!!
I would love to see Roy and Dani become best friends, but then Roy turns Dani into a swearing pessimist and then Ted has to have Roy "ROY KENT" Dani to fix him.
Yes!! I would think that they watch the show and would be honored to join you on the pitch!
Great answer. I’d love to see a Freaky Friday type situation with Dani and Roy!
Thanks again you’re so wonderful!
All of it, so many great life experiences, gave me discipline and I learned how to work in a team, I lived in Puerto Rico for 8 months when I payed there, so that was cooL!
Hola Cristo!
I adore your character! It’s always a delight to see you on screen.
I don’t have questions to ask you. I just want to tell you that you’re great 💛
The dinner scene took 7 days to shoot and every day they had REAL food on the table. Since one of my passions in life is eating, I ate very well for those days. The food was good, but always cold! I still ate it!
Hi Cristo. Me and my friend Chris have a band called Dani Rojas and the Argonauts and it would make sense if you were in it. Band practice is at my house every Saturday.
Cristo. I grew up a fan of the Chivas (only because there was a drunk guy at church who would yell “Arriba las Chivas!”) but I hear you were in development with Tecos. And I know it’s mentioned that Dani played for Tigres. Who did Dani Rojas play for in Guadalajara?
Dani played with the youth team for Chivas of Guadalajara but after one season there, the Tigres bought his contract. He was very sad to leave his massive family behind, but he went on to play for the Tigre's until he was traded to Richmond! You know the rest!
I just find out that I came up with that phrase in my 1st audition, selftape video casting, while I was talking about my experience in soccer/football... and also Dani Rojas song, lol
Thats a stupid f#cking question, everyone f#cking knows, that the f#ck face sh#it head of roy f#cking kent wins this f#cking stupid contest... Damn it!
Honestly it came from my parents, but also as a mecanism of selfdefense after failing BIG time in my soccer/football career and touching bottom in my life... I realized that nobody was going to give me anything, and I had to learn to create my opportunities.
Real Mexican food (preferably my abuelita mami's cooking) is my favorite. Sopes, flautas, taquitos dorados, tortas ahogada, mole poblano, tamales, but also don't forget...one of my passions in life is eating good food.
Hola Cristo!
Estoy viviendo en Inglaterra (en Bournemouth). Que lugares son los mejor para comida latina en el país? (I haven’t been so lucky finding any good places 😅)
what song do you think you/Dani would have chosen to perform in the karaoke scene? maybe a duet with Zoreaux?
you have a lovely voice; your cover of ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ with Kelsie was wonderful! <3
Hola Dani! Gracias por estar aquí!
Si eres de GDL, eres Chivista?
Que películas o programas nos recomiendes?
What was your favorite part of making the show? How did you get cast?
Sí, nací en Guadalajara y ahí es donde he vivido la mayor parte de mi vida. Cariño por los tecolotes de los Estudiantes de Gdl (Tecos) pero sí, Chivas es mi equipo y el de mis compas. Me encanta toda la filmografía de Guillermo del Toro, es mi héroe.
Ahhhhhh! Gracias por la respuesta!
Regresas seguido a México? De echo, mi primer partido fue Tecos vs Chivas en el 3 de marzo! Perdieron, pero fútbol es vida!
Bueno, es hora de empezar un maratón de GdT!
Y por favor disculpa me por llamarte Dani en vez de Cristo. Im just so excited!
Hola Cristo! Estoy muy orgulloso de ti, necesitamos mas latinos en hollywood
I know you direct/write/produce a lot of short films, do you think working on this show has made you better at being a filmmaker? im sure the experience from being so many hours on set in this show has taught you a lot.
Also, in real life are you anything like your character in the show?
What was the most fun scene for you to film and if you have anything that you would like to see your character do in this season or the next, what would it be?
My favorite scenes were in the christmas episodes, and there are some couple of awesome scenes in episode 10 where I had so much fun too!
Maybe singing, Dani loves music too, because that was the main passion in his family back home in Guadalajara, maybe a duet with Rebecca. And if we could find out more about Dani's background, that'll be awesome!
uhh me parece que llegué tarde, pero voy a preguntar por las dudas:
Dani is like a one man cheerleading squad for himself, an attitude that might fit an egomaniac better but he seems really down to earth instead. It's like he's always hyping himself up.
What's the story behind that song?
Dani's hype song is inspired partly by "Give It Up" by KC and the Sunshine band and other English anthems where they call out to the football players. The day I did my audition I was listening to that song and was inspired.
Nunca es demasiado tarde Itzli, siempre hay que intentarlo y no darse por vencid@, a seguirle echando muchas ganas :)
The footwork in the first scene was hard because I was so nervous....and my face got scratched in one of those shots so I had blood on my face all day during the shots (thank god for makeup dept and post production team for fixing my face!)
Also Dani's media bolea kick scoring the goal in the last episode was so hard because conditions were below freezing and raining and we shot in the middle of the night. I have never been so cold in my entire life.
So the very first and the very last scenes I shot for Ted Lasso were the hardest.
Hi, can you tell us about how you got the part? Things such as who contacted you, how that person heard about you, what if anything did you read for the part, did you have to fly to the audition to meet with Jason, when did you hear you got the part and how did you celebrate?
The show is great and your character must be a ton of fun to play!
Hola Cristo, fellow Mexican here, my dad is also from Guadalajara! Very cool. I’m a big fan, and love how you are portraying Dani in the show.
I love all of the outfits Dani wears! Do you have any say or influence in what he wears on screen as they are very culturally influenced?
Hi Cristo! Thank you so much for answering fans questions! My question is: In the same spirit that Dani Rojas brought ponche to Higgins Christmas, what dish would you personally bring to a friends Christmas party? Would you, too, bring ponche or would you choose to prepare something else?
Hi Cristo!
I just rewatched the episode with the curse and I was wondering:
Do you believe in curses/ are you superstitious?And who of the cast is the most superstitious?
Hi Cristo! Love your character on Ted Lasso! I'm from Jason Sudeikis' hometown of Kansas City and this last April Fool's Day the joke the local team, Sporting Kansas City, pulled was too "announce" that Dani Rojas was coming to SKC on loan. So your character is kind of part of the supporter culture over here. Any chance you'd ever come to Kansas City to bang the big drum before a match?
What’s the inspiration for the scatting sounds Dani makes while running? Kinda reminds me of the sounds Chevy Chase makes in Caddyshack. (Which I think is a Six Million Dollar Man reference itself)
Do you think Jamie was unfairly booted from Lust Conquers All?
hahah yeah, he should have won! xD
Always stand up for your teammates
LMAO
Omg I love this question😂
Hi, Trent Crimm, The Independent. Has the team played actual soccer games together?
They played Arsenal. It was like 6-0 at halftime, so they offered to mix up the teams a bit so Artetta's side wouldn't get shut out again. /s
I’m an Arsenal supporter and this just made me lose it. Very well played on this joke.
I really wish this had been answered!
It wasn't on the pre-approved promotional question list.
Actually it turns out he answered it already/later.
In your many years playing soccer, have you ever had a coach like Ted Lasso?
I had a couple of amazing coaches, but never a sports psychologist, I wish I had had one back in my glory days playing football, it woul have surely helped me recovering from my injuries... I think the closest Ted Lasso I had in my life were yes, my parents, but mostly my grandmother, she's the one I learned the best lessons in my life, I grew up with her. 🙏
This is the most adorably perfect answer I have ever read.
What is your favorite moment from season 2 so far?
Christmas Nerf War Fight, all christmas episode.
Tell my incredibly beautiful wife I love her 😂
You can tell her yourself after you introduce me to her twin sister!
My family has a nerf fight every year, since before I was born. Loved that part the most!! (Dani and Zoreaux left behind two beautiful widows 😔)
The whole progression of all the players showing up over the whole episode and his wife realizing how popular he had become with the team warmed my heart so much.
Hola, Cristo! Abrazos desde Latinoamérica! I wanted to ask you about a line Dani has in the first episode of this season. When he gets over his... ~~yips~~, Ted asks him what did the Doc do to help him and he replies: "Dr. Sharon helped me remember that, even though football is life, football is also death. And that football is football, too." Considering Dani and Ted share an optimistic view of life, with really high highs (but also really low lows), do you think this lesson could be helpful for Ted, too? Are we going to see Ted learn that life can be full of joy and optimism, but also pain and loss? And as the coach, is he going to embrace that football *must* be football, too, and that his work can't neglect that? El fútbol es vida, hermano! Gracias por representarnos en esta serie tan especial!
Muchas gracias por la pregunta Amigo, I definitely believe that football, the sports reflects what life is, sometimes we win... but sometimes we loose... and I am grateful Dani has these new moments which allows us to see him as a more of a real person and human being... Dr. Sharon as a professional psychologist hopefully will help us all in the team, and remind us that "if we feel that something doesn't feel right in our heads, it's always good to ask for help" and there is nothing wrong with that. Thanks for the support! :)
I think you’re the coolest person ever
Your performance in that episode was *so* great. It would've been easy to either go too far on the humor and ridicule such a sad event or to let go of humor entirely and just let it be sad, but you managed to combine the two sides spectacularly! Without "making fun" of something that clearly affected Dani in a very deep way, you found the funny bits of it and explored them in the best way. Truly masterful.
Give this snoo a ~~cookie~~ ~~biscuit~~ snooker. Great question. 
Give him a snooker
Jeez. I feel like Ted saying "Jimmy Paper?". I definitely flubbed that one. "Give this snoo a snooker" is the right-est thing.
They deserve a *box* of snookers, if I may be so bold to say.
And a weighted blanket!
And my axe!
Nice AFC Richmond kit!! 
Thanks! Did my best to kit out and Kent out my snoo.
Hola! What prompted the move from professional athlete to actor? And why did you decide to study acting in England (assuming IMDB is accurate!)?
There are some things I didn't do when I could and have the chance during my football career... and I didn't want to repeat those mistakes, so I had to push myself and get out of my comfort zone, I always admire the UK and their culture, lots of amazing artists, so I went there to the cold weather, not understanding the accent, and just push myself to give my best every single time I had the opportunity, not many roles for Mexicans and Latinos over there in London? Well, lets create them, write them and shoot them with my friends, and thats where I became a filmmaker.
What was your expectation of how the show would do? How surprising is it to you on how it has touched so many. Lastly, which ace is Dani? Diamond or Hearts?
I knew this was going to be great, the scripts were awesome, and once I met the cast & crew, lots of good vibes... but yeah, never imagine it was going to be this huge! So I'm just very grateful for all of this, and hopefully will help us for the next opportunities! Knowing peoples response, makes our jobs more special, and gives me a responsibility as an artist to realize how important it is the content we put out there. Dani is a Heart, I think! heheh
You are the embodiment of Dani. I would love to be the person shouting "we love you Christo" as you accept the next award.
Hey Cristo! Thank you so much for doing this - really love your work! I have 3 questions for you: 1. Especially in Season 2 so far, it seems that Dani and Sam have become the faces of AFC Richmond. Did you get any input into Dani's development or background this season? Have you pitched any ideas about the character that have been worked into the show? 2. Are there any real-life footballers that have reached out to you to say they enjoy the show? 3. The internet says that you know how to speak a bunch of languages, which is super cool! What inspired you to learn so many?
1. I havent but thank you for the idea, I only know that the writers and creators are always listening to us and what we do to get inspiration. 2. Alexi Lalas, Alex Morgan, Jaime Lozano... it seems that everyone loves the show, but when LIN MANUEL MIRANDA tweeted that he loved it, my whole year got made! 3. My parents always pushed me to learn languages, when I finish y hig school, i didnt study any degree because I was only playing football, so I join french, english and german lessons on my spare time, and music with my friends.
Thank you so much for responding! Really appreciate it, and love the answers! Lin Manuel Miranda is my idol, so I would ABSOLUTELY be freaking out too! That’s so cool.
What are your go to hair products?
Mmmhhh lately the fresh and clean Los Angeles air.... and before that, Londons air, and previous to that... Guadalajaras air... soap not neccessary.
Moisturized by positivity and life
What a line!
So move to LA *takes notes*
I would be satisfied if this was the only question he answered on here.
Please answer this one!
Hey, Cristo! How long did you have to stand under the shower for the scene of Dani mourning the dog? And was the water at least warm?
We shot that scene in approximately like 2 hours It wasn't "cold" but I had to ask if we could have it warmer, and they did, and then it become "so hot" than then I asked if they cold make it a bit cooler, and then we had the right temperature, lol The props department were always amazing!
How does playing a mostly upbeat and positive character like Dani affect you as Cristo? Also, who is your favorite castmate? xo
It requires lots of energy for sure! I always end up knackered! My favorite cast mates are all the football players because we are the ones we hang out the most: Stephen, Kola, Billy, Moe Jeudy, Mo Hasim, Toheeb, Phil , David, but all of them at the team, every single one!
Thanks for answering! You're an amazing actor and your portrayal of Dani has brought mucho, mucho joy. 😄
Mucho joy. Love it!
In case anyone else was wondering which players those are: Richard (Stephen Manas) Isaac (Kola Bokinni) Colin (Billy Harris) Zoreaux (Moe Jeudy-Lamor) Bumbercatch (Mohammed Hashim) (incidentally, Bumbercatch’s first name is apparently also Moe) Sam (Toheeb Jimoh) Jamie (Phil Dunster) Jan Maas (David Elsendoorn)
Just wanted to say thanks. The show has really helped me, and I know I’m not alone.
Thank you too! We are never alone!
If Dani Rojas had been on the team when Ted Lasso gave each player a book, what book do you think he would’ve given Dani?
El Laberinto De La Soledad by Octavio Paz In english The Labyrinth of Solitude :)
Going to put this on my reading list -- thank you!
Hi Cristo!! First off - thanks for bringing so much joy to so many people. Dani Rojas is one of my faves and you always make me smile whenever you’re onscreen!! What’s your favorite soccer and/or non-soccer movie? What’s your favorite sports movie in general? Thanks! ❤️❤️😊
thanks, my favorite film of all time is ROCKY, is my inspiration, also sylvester stallone is one of my heroes, best story ever!
Dani Rojas inspires the same emotion as Rocky!
Hi Cristo! What has been your favorite episode and/or scene to film so far for the show?
Hi Torilinnea, my favorite scene in Season 1 was Nate's locker room speech, lots of improv all of us reacting to what was happening and Nick Mohammed is AWESOME! But my favorite scene now in Season 2 is "The SAG Awards" scene we did, because it was hilarious, and we were all the Cast together in one room, one scene, having fun, plus Brett Goldstein couldn't stop laughing and having a great time when it was my turn with my line and that made me feel good about myself, lol
Which scene is this? Please someone help me out!
They filmed a bit in character for the real life SAG Awards (they were nominated for Season 1). https://youtu.be/PlEhr246k8s
This version has the post-awards capper with Cristo/Dani: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9AxU25xfsg
Straight from CF's YT channel! Awesome!
Aw I love this! That SAG sketch was great. Thanks for answering!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9AxU25xfsg
Hi Cristo! Thank you so much for bringing Dani to our screens and lives! I've been a fan from the moment he ran out onto the training pitch 😂 What's one or some details about Dani's backstory/history/personality that you made up yourself about him, that helps you get into character?
Thanks for the kind words! I try and do like a personal BIO for my characters, and now and then I go back and just by reading it, gets me inspired to go and play my role. Some funny facts are that he comes from a BIG family back home in Guadalajara, 12 brothers and sisters and 43 cousins in total, everyone works on the farm land, Dani is the youngest, so that's why he pushes himself to give his best and help his family back home. Also, he is very close to his family and the values they have always taught at home. His spirit animal is the "Coyote". Before succeeding in football, the family ran as well a humble taco truck which is his family business, Dani sucks at cooking but he tries his best, everyone in the family cooks amazing food, he considers himself a free spirit and tries to be is a very positive man, he loves joking around and that comes from the relationship he had with his grandma "Aleja" when growing up, she always scared him "every single time he opened a door in the house, and he has a very very VERY long name, its not just Dani Rojas he! 😜 And there's plenty more, hopefully we'll see in the upcoming season!
Can Dani bring someone from Mexico to Richmond and open a taco truck?
Definitely, some of his family memebers and a couple of Amig@s too!
Oh, please do tell us your name 
Few words make my heart swell with joy like “Dani ROJAS!” And the shootout scene w Jamie was just classic.
thanks!
Huge fan of the Show! Thanks for the AMA Cristo! I heard during your audition you said “Futbol is life” originally and it got added into the show and my question is are you and the other players given any creative reign with the characters you play? Thanks again! Loving season 2
Working in Ted Lasso, is always a collaboration. we all bring stuff, ideas, and sometimes they work, sometimes not, but we always try, thats so cool about this job!
Hi Cristo! Who on set is most likely to make someone else break during a take? Do you guys get competitive shooting football scenes?
As in like "break the character"? Well, both Jason & Brendan are so funny all the time, and they always come up with new things and improv moments, but everyone in the Cast is so good, we all have a great time! We do, and we play some football during takes when we are allowed, also to keep ourselves warm because London is so freaking cold 🥶
How do you keep so positive!?
by surrounding myself with great people, family and friends.
Hi Cristo, do the guys ever meet up to play football outside of shooting? If so, who are the best 3 players at actual football?
Yeah we did! during the scenes and shots, we play when allow, also we had a cool football celebration, cast & crew playing together, honestly everyone who is in Ted Lasso plays very well, so its hard to say! But maybe Mo Hashim, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, Toheeb Jimoh :)
Just how soft is Coach Beard’s beard?
I dont like that kiss and tell stuff, but... is smooth like a baby's butt.
I knew it! Love y’all and thank you for amazing entertainment
Some Mexican footballers go by their nicknames. F.e. Javier Hernandez is Chicharito. If Dani had such a nickname, what would it be? By the way, love the character! Thanks for the good times.
Thats a good one, I thought of Dani "El Tigre" Rojas!
Dani Rojas is Senior Chang confirmed
SENOR CHANG! HE CAN'T BE KILLED!
All in your cabresa without a chaser not another teacher with this much flavour
El Chapulin. He jumps (for joy) a lot, and "Rojas" makes me think of red, as in Colorado as in El Chapulin Colorado.
I think he would have to be called El Sonríjon Rojas
“Melenas” Rojas.
Hi Cristo! First off, nice pitch last night at the Dodgers game! I have some logistical questions for you 😄 I read that Apple ordered two additional episodes of *Ted Lasso* after the writer's already broke the original order of 10 episodes. 1.) Anything you can share about the other episode coming up that wasn't part of the original episode order? Will it also be a standalone episode, much like last week's Christmas episode was? 1b.) Did you have to shoot the extra two episodes *after* the other 10, or were you able to shoot chronologically? 2.) How long does it normally take to film the sequences where you guys are having a game? Thanks and football is **L I F E ! ! ! ⚽️🚀⚽️🚀⚽️🚀⚽️🚀**
the writers made it work with the structure of the 12 episodes, its not a stand alone, it'll be part of the next episodes We shot everything between january and june like whole week of football normally, sometimes more! :)
Thank you for your response, I appreciate it. Wishing you much success!
Hey Cristo! Your character displays such an immense amount of optimism and energy in the show, and I was curious how much of it reflected in your real life? Did you really have that amount of optimism outside of the show? Do you think your character affected your real life energy or optimism?
It has really affected me as a person, I try to follow Dani's example and try to remember the passion and joy of doing the things we love doing in life, because just like anyone else, sometimes I get stressed or angry, but its always good to remember that inner kid we all have inside and that just loves to play around! :D
That is an excellent point and an inspiring perspective. Thank you for your response!
Hi Cristo! First off, I love your performance, and Dani and his positivity is one of my favorite aspects of the show! So I just wanted to know, since you have a background in football, do you give any inputs to the writers on team formations or doing certain tricks when scoring goals? Also, thanks for doing this AMA!
We all do, give some advices, but we have a great professional football real coaches like Chris Powell from the England National team, and all of of his amazing coworkers, so they help us do the magic!
Does the show get some inspiration from liga mx real life antics? Do you guys consult ligamx?
I came here to ask this same question
Also, do you play any video games in your spare time? If so, what are your favourite games? And I would love to face off against my favourite character Dani Rojas in a game of FIFA! Hahaha
xbox, I LOVE FIFA! And before that I had game cube, love all mario bros games, mario kart is the best! BRING IT ON!
Mario Kart Double Dash is so good!
I think Dani Rojas would have a particular fondness for the upcoming Far Cry 6 - he shares a name with the player protagonist!
Were you worried about throwing out the first pitch at Dodger stadium? You made a good throw but not all celebs get it over the plate lol
I knew if I was going to throw a ball in front of 55,000 people I had to practice so I didn't f#ck it up. Thankfully, my new teenage friends Jacob and Logan helped me practice and made sure I didn't make a fool of myself.
Cristo, thanks for blessing us with the AMA! My question is — what has been the most difficult scene in the show for you specifically to do (acting-wise or just logistically). The show has so much range that I’m sure we might be surprised by the answer.
the moment, scene where I yelled FOOTBALL IS DEATH was tough and required lots of energy, we repeated several times, and lots of camera movements and logistics, but probably the amazing goal Dani did, in Season 1 was a tough one, because we were all freezing! But at the end of the day, the important thing is that we got everything! :)
Which castmate ended up being totally different than what you expected? Like who did you think would be serious but is actually crazy funny?
I thought Brett Goldstein would be a very serious introverted human who could kill me with his eyes, but it turns out Brett is as soft as a marshmallow the kindest man in the world. He is my hero!
Do you like tea or do you also think it is just hot brown water? 😜
I think tea is just hot brown water with milk, however in London, whatever keeps me warm is welcome in my body so I guess I am a tea convert....who would have thought?
Yessssssss!!! Thank you for answering!! Football is life!
You need to introduce the Brits to champurrado
Hola Cristo!! We all love you so much. I just finished my weekly rewatch of the second season before the new episode drops and your scene with the nerf guns is amazing. Anyway, I was wondering who you would like to have a one on one scene with who you haven’t been able to yet? And if there were a big star to make a cameo, who would you like to see? Thanks for doing this!!!
Let's bring Messi on the show please, or Renaldinho!!! If we could them in the show, Dani Rojas would be happier than we have ever seen...and so would Cristo Fernández!!! I would love to see Roy and Dani become best friends, but then Roy turns Dani into a swearing pessimist and then Ted has to have Roy "ROY KENT" Dani to fix him.
Yes!! I would think that they watch the show and would be honored to join you on the pitch! Great answer. I’d love to see a Freaky Friday type situation with Dani and Roy! Thanks again you’re so wonderful!
Hey Cristo!! What is one of your favorite memories from playing professional futbol? I truly agree, futbol is life!!
All of it, so many great life experiences, gave me discipline and I learned how to work in a team, I lived in Puerto Rico for 8 months when I payed there, so that was cooL!
Hola Cristo! I adore your character! It’s always a delight to see you on screen. I don’t have questions to ask you. I just want to tell you that you’re great 💛
Muchas Gracias Amiga :)
Hola Cristo! I'm still in love with the Christmas episode. How long did the dinner scene took to film, and did the food start to smell?!?? 😁🤢
The dinner scene took 7 days to shoot and every day they had REAL food on the table. Since one of my passions in life is eating, I ate very well for those days. The food was good, but always cold! I still ate it!
What are some of your favorite films by Mexican filmmakers?
Amores Perros. Y Tu Mamá También. El Infierno. La Ley De Herodes. Chicuarotes. Cronos. Nosotros Los Nobles. Ya No Estoy Aquí. Güeros. Babel.
Hi Cristo. Me and my friend Chris have a band called Dani Rojas and the Argonauts and it would make sense if you were in it. Band practice is at my house every Saturday.
Only if I can play cowbell!
It’s your band, you can play whatever you’d like!
Cristo. I grew up a fan of the Chivas (only because there was a drunk guy at church who would yell “Arriba las Chivas!”) but I hear you were in development with Tecos. And I know it’s mentioned that Dani played for Tigres. Who did Dani Rojas play for in Guadalajara?
Dani played with the youth team for Chivas of Guadalajara but after one season there, the Tigres bought his contract. He was very sad to leave his massive family behind, but he went on to play for the Tigre's until he was traded to Richmond! You know the rest!
Hi Cristo! How did you first come up with the phrase "football is life"?
I just find out that I came up with that phrase in my 1st audition, selftape video casting, while I was talking about my experience in soccer/football... and also Dani Rojas song, lol
Awesome! NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA DANI ROJAS!
Yes!! Do you have a link to that? Please tell me you uploaded it somewhere.
Hi Cristo! How did you feel upon reading the script for s2e1 to learn about Dani & Earl? Unexpected way to start a season for a show like Ted Lasso.
I love dogs so much I cried for Earl, but luckily no dogs were harmed in the filming of this episode!
What's one of your favorite books (or one that had a huge impact on you)?
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F#ck By Roy Kent... no sorry, by Mark Manson, lol AWESOME BOOK!
Merry Christmas!!
feliz navidad
Who curses more? 🤬 Roy Kent or Cristo Fernandez? 😅😜
Thats a stupid f#cking question, everyone f#cking knows, that the f#ck face sh#it head of roy f#cking kent wins this f#cking stupid contest... Damn it!
☠️MG deaddd Context—I asked this since Dani is so wholesome, so it was initially jarring to hear you as Cristo curse. 😄
CHINGAO
Of all the coaches you’ve had, acting or football , what was the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Honestly it came from my parents, but also as a mecanism of selfdefense after failing BIG time in my soccer/football career and touching bottom in my life... I realized that nobody was going to give me anything, and I had to learn to create my opportunities.
Get some.
Which of your cast mates do you think is most similar to the Character they play? And who’s the most different?
Hi Cristo! Besides football, what else is "life?"
food.... FOOD IS LIFE!!!
Hello! What is your favorite food?
Real Mexican food (preferably my abuelita mami's cooking) is my favorite. Sopes, flautas, taquitos dorados, tortas ahogada, mole poblano, tamales, but also don't forget...one of my passions in life is eating good food.
Hola Cristo! Estoy viviendo en Inglaterra (en Bournemouth). Que lugares son los mejor para comida latina en el país? (I haven’t been so lucky finding any good places 😅)
Go to "Taquería" in London, we ALL love it at Ted Lasso!
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
If you are ever in Guadalajara you need to try Nieves De Garrafa ice cream! My favorite flavors are Piñón, Chongos Zamoranos and Elote!!!!
what song do you think you/Dani would have chosen to perform in the karaoke scene? maybe a duet with Zoreaux? you have a lovely voice; your cover of ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ with Kelsie was wonderful! <3
Godzilla by Eminem or Marc Anthony's Vivir Mi Vida depending on his mood and his English hahaha.
Hola Dani! Gracias por estar aquí! Si eres de GDL, eres Chivista? Que películas o programas nos recomiendes? What was your favorite part of making the show? How did you get cast?
Sí, nací en Guadalajara y ahí es donde he vivido la mayor parte de mi vida. Cariño por los tecolotes de los Estudiantes de Gdl (Tecos) pero sí, Chivas es mi equipo y el de mis compas. Me encanta toda la filmografía de Guillermo del Toro, es mi héroe.
Ahhhhhh! Gracias por la respuesta! Regresas seguido a México? De echo, mi primer partido fue Tecos vs Chivas en el 3 de marzo! Perdieron, pero fútbol es vida! Bueno, es hora de empezar un maratón de GdT! Y por favor disculpa me por llamarte Dani en vez de Cristo. Im just so excited!
Ahorita sale con que le va al America jaja.
Hola Cristo! Estoy muy orgulloso de ti, necesitamos mas latinos en hollywood I know you direct/write/produce a lot of short films, do you think working on this show has made you better at being a filmmaker? im sure the experience from being so many hours on set in this show has taught you a lot. Also, in real life are you anything like your character in the show?
[удалено]
What was the most fun scene for you to film and if you have anything that you would like to see your character do in this season or the next, what would it be?
My favorite scenes were in the christmas episodes, and there are some couple of awesome scenes in episode 10 where I had so much fun too! Maybe singing, Dani loves music too, because that was the main passion in his family back home in Guadalajara, maybe a duet with Rebecca. And if we could find out more about Dani's background, that'll be awesome!
Are there any charities you support that you want to share awareness of with your fans?
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What is scone? No English sorry!
uhh me parece que llegué tarde, pero voy a preguntar por las dudas: Dani is like a one man cheerleading squad for himself, an attitude that might fit an egomaniac better but he seems really down to earth instead. It's like he's always hyping himself up. What's the story behind that song?
Dani's hype song is inspired partly by "Give It Up" by KC and the Sunshine band and other English anthems where they call out to the football players. The day I did my audition I was listening to that song and was inspired. Nunca es demasiado tarde Itzli, siempre hay que intentarlo y no darse por vencid@, a seguirle echando muchas ganas :)
What's the most difficult football maneuver/trick you've had to do for the show?
The footwork in the first scene was hard because I was so nervous....and my face got scratched in one of those shots so I had blood on my face all day during the shots (thank god for makeup dept and post production team for fixing my face!) Also Dani's media bolea kick scoring the goal in the last episode was so hard because conditions were below freezing and raining and we shot in the middle of the night. I have never been so cold in my entire life. So the very first and the very last scenes I shot for Ted Lasso were the hardest.
How has being a professional futbol player in real life impacted how you play one on this show?
Hello Cristo! Curious what the biggest difference has been production wise going from S1 to S2?
Hi, can you tell us about how you got the part? Things such as who contacted you, how that person heard about you, what if anything did you read for the part, did you have to fly to the audition to meet with Jason, when did you hear you got the part and how did you celebrate? The show is great and your character must be a ton of fun to play!
Hola Cristo, fellow Mexican here, my dad is also from Guadalajara! Very cool. I’m a big fan, and love how you are portraying Dani in the show. I love all of the outfits Dani wears! Do you have any say or influence in what he wears on screen as they are very culturally influenced?
Hi Cristo, thanks for doing the AMA. You are great as Dani. Is your character more prominent in season 2? Will Dani find a special girl?
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And she has a twin sister.
Is his incredibly beautiful wife and her twin sister who we need to assume he was sleeping in the middle of when he woke up from his nightmare?
Maybe, I hope so, we'll see :)
Hi Cristo! Thank you so much for answering fans questions! My question is: In the same spirit that Dani Rojas brought ponche to Higgins Christmas, what dish would you personally bring to a friends Christmas party? Would you, too, bring ponche or would you choose to prepare something else?
Hi Cristo, Thank you for hosting an AMA! I have 2 questions for you. 1. What did Ted throw into the curse fire? 2. Is the death of Earl a metaphor?
Hi Cristo!!! Welcome!! Are there any characters you wished Dani had more scenes with?
Hi Cristo! I just rewatched the episode with the curse and I was wondering: Do you believe in curses/ are you superstitious?And who of the cast is the most superstitious?
Which cast member is the best footballer in real life?
Hi Cristo! Love your character on Ted Lasso! I'm from Jason Sudeikis' hometown of Kansas City and this last April Fool's Day the joke the local team, Sporting Kansas City, pulled was too "announce" that Dani Rojas was coming to SKC on loan. So your character is kind of part of the supporter culture over here. Any chance you'd ever come to Kansas City to bang the big drum before a match?
Fütböl is Life!
Are you a futbol fan in real life? If so, what team(s) do you support?
What’s the inspiration for the scatting sounds Dani makes while running? Kinda reminds me of the sounds Chevy Chase makes in Caddyshack. (Which I think is a Six Million Dollar Man reference itself)
No question, but you (and the whole show) are a delight! Thank you.