‘Ted Lasso’ Star Brendan Hunt Takes On New Raid Role, Meet Dr. Anton Hill

Brendan Hunt, best known for playing the ever-chill Coach Beard on "Ted Lasso," has a new title to add to his résumé. Bug doctor.

In an unexpected and wildly entertaining partnership with Raid, Hunt has stepped into the role of Dr. Anton Hill, PhD (Pest Handling Degree), a fictional yet oddly comforting therapist-like character designed to help Americans deal with one of their biggest shared fears, bugs.

In an exclusive interview with The Blast, Brendan Hunt opened up about his new role, as well as his new Pixar movie, "Elio."

According to Raid’s data, sent to The Blast, 71% of U.S. adults have dealt with ant infestations, and nearly half have discovered a wasp or hornet in their drink. Even more shocking? Hunt shared one survey result that blew his mind.

“79% of Americans said they’d be more bothered by finding a cockroach on their couch than having someone spoil their favorite TV show,” he said. “And I hate spoilers. In fact, I want Raid to make something for people who put spoilers on social media. That's the Raid that I'm after."

The company's new campaign has Hunt playing Dr. Anton Hill, a tweed-wearing, elbow-patched “bug doctor” whose approach to pest anxiety is equal parts clinical, calm, and comical. Think part therapist, part life coach, and part exterminator.

While Hunt said the role came to him fairly well developed, he had some creative input, especially when it came to the character's name.

“At one point, he had a less subtle name. It was like… Dr. Roachside or something,” he joked. “I was like, ‘Do we have any other options?’ Thankfully, they were happy to oblige with Anton Hill.”

He also found something unexpectedly meaningful in the role.

“It kind of works as a metaphor for fear in general,” Hunt explained. “I’m happy to encourage people to confront their fears, be they metaphorical roaches or literal roaches. Let them be out of your house and out of your mind.”

Growing up in Chicago, Hunt had no shortage of firsthand pest encounters. “We had roaches in literally every single place I lived, from like 1975 to 1989. We clearly didn’t use enough Raid,” he joked.

But his recent resume has been far more glamorous.

Hunt also appears in Pixar’s latest animated feature, "Elio," and even took his four-year-old son to the premiere, though he hilariously admitted his son had no idea dad was in the movie.

“I didn’t tell him why we were getting dressed up or stopping for pictures,” Hunt said. “I just sat next to him in the theater watching him, hoping for some kind of reaction. Nothing. Not even a glance.”

He laughed, “Maybe when he’s 20 he’ll be like, ‘Wait a minute…’”

In one of the more heartfelt moments of the conversation, Hunt opened up about the early days of his career and how self-doubt almost kept him from pursuing it altogether.

“I had this certitude that I didn’t belong in any of the places I wanted to be,” he shared. “I didn’t recognize that this feeling came from external forces that shouldn’t have had the power to make me feel that way.”

Despite having confidence in his talent, Hunt said he once viewed success as something only “super special people” could achieve. “Now that I’m doing it a bit, I realize, everyone’s just people.”

As for what’s on the horizon? Hunt’s got a cheeky "bucket list" item.

“I sure would like to get that bluegrass album going,” he joked. “I’d have to learn bluegrass… and how to play an instrument… and how to sing. But I feel like I’m close. Dr. Hill might be the final domino.”

Until then, fans can enjoy his work in the Raid campaign, where Dr. Anton Hill offers everything from extermination-related wisdom to metaphorical life advice. Hunt encourages curious minds (or fellow bug-haters) to visit Raid’s social channels for more content.

“There’s a lot of stuff with this character,” he said. “If people care for an extermination-related giggle, that’s where they’ll find it.”