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Hannah Waddingham
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Hannah Waddingham (born 28 July 1974) is an English actress, singer, and television presenter. She is known for her roles on stage and screen and has received various accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award, two Critics' Choice Television Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as nominations for two BAFTA TV Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards.
Key Information
She gained stardom playing Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ comedy series Ted Lasso (2020–present), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Other notable television roles include playing Tonya Dyke in Benidorm (2014), Septa Unella in the fifth season of the HBO series Game of Thrones (2015–2016), Jax-Ur in Krypton (2018–2019) and Sofia Marchetti in Sex Education (2019–2023). She voices the snarky goddess Deliria in animated series Krapopolis (2023-present), for which she earned a Emmy Award nomination. On film, she has acted in the musical Les Misérables (2012), the thriller Winter Ridge (2018), the animated film The Garfield Movie (2024), the action comedy The Fall Guy (2024), and the action film Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025).
On stage, she appeared in a number of West End musicals, earning three nominations for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances as Lady of the Lake in the Monty Python musical comedy Spamalot (2007), Desirée Armfeldt in the Stephen Sondheim musical revival A Little Night Music (2010), and Katharine in the Cole Porter musical romance comedy Kiss Me, Kate (2013). She made her Broadway debut reprising her role in the New York City transfer of Spamalot (2008). Waddingham also co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 and hosted the Laurence Olivier Awards twice in 2023 and 2024.
Early life and education
[edit]Hannah Waddingham was born on 28 July 1974[1] in Wandsworth, London.[2] Waddingham is half-Manx; her mother Melodie Kelly is from Port Erin.[3] Her mother was an opera singer, as were both of her maternal grandparents,[4] joining the English National Opera when Waddingham was eight years old. She grew up around the theatre.[4][5]
Waddingham is a graduate of the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts.[6] She has a four-octave vocal range.[7] She started out in dinner theatre, performing in the interactive comedy Joey and Gina's Wedding, produced by Anthony and Joseph Tomaska.[4][8]
Career
[edit]Stage career
[edit]Waddingham has been a stage actress on both London's West End and New York's Broadway.[4] She made her West End debut in Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens at The Queens Theatre in 1998 and went on to star in Lautrec by Charles Aznavour in March 2000,[9] then created the role of Christine Warner in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton’s The Beautiful Game, staying with the show for the year-long run at the Cambridge Theatre from September 2000.[10] Further stage roles included Starbird in Space Family Robinson (Julian & Stephen Butler, 2002)[6] and Satan in Tonight's the Night: The Rod Stewart Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 2003.[11]
Waddingham portrayed the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, both in the London production and then on Broadway. She received an Olivier Award nomination for the role.[4] She received outstanding reviews for her portrayal of Desirée Armfeldt in Trevor Nunn's revival of A Little Night Music.[12] Waddingham subsequently received a further Olivier Award nomination in 2010 for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Night Music.[13]
In mid-2010, Waddingham played the Witch in the production of Into the Woods at London's Open Air Theatre.[14][15] She originated the role of The Wicked Witch of the West in the West End production of The Wizard of Oz, which opened on 1 March 2011 at the London Palladium[16] and was the first to perform the new Lloyd Webber and Rice song "Red Shoes Blues".[4][17] She left the production on 4 September 2011.[18] Waddingham won the whatsonstage.com Theatergoers Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance.[19]
In 2012, Waddingham starred in Chichester Festival Theatre's revival of Kiss Me, Kate.[20] The show transferred to the Old Vic Theatre on London's South Bank in November 2012.[21]
On 25 August 2023, Waddingham was announced as the host of the Fantasy, Myths and Legends Prom as part of that year's BBC Proms; on 28 August, she pulled out just hours before the performance, in solidarity with the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.[22][23]
Screen career
[edit]
In 2011, Waddingham appeared in series 4, episode 3 of the BBC sitcom, Not Going Out. She played the role of Jane, an actress in an adult film being recorded in the show.[24]
She had a small role in the 2012 film Les Misérables,[4] and in 2014, she appeared in the ITV comedy Benidorm.[7]
Waddingham portrayed the "Shame Nun", Septa Unella, in season 5 and 6 of Game of Thrones. She began filming her scenes nine weeks after the birth of her daughter and claims that she underwent actual waterboarding during filming so that the scene would look authentic.[4][8][25] She was given the role's iconic "shame bell" as a parting gift.[4][26] She also had a recurring role on the Netflix series Sex Education as Jackson's mother, Sophia Marchetti.[4][27]
Since 2020, Waddingham has portrayed Rebecca Welton, the owner of AFC Richmond, on the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso.[5][28][29][30] She did her own singing in the season one episode "Make Rebecca Great Again" and the season two episodes "Carol of the Bells" and "No Weddings and a Funeral".[31] In 2021, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the role.[32]
Waddingham also appears as the character Mother Witch in Hocus Pocus 2, Disney's sequel to Hocus Pocus released on Disney+ on 30 September 2022.[33][34]
She portrayed Lady Bellaston in the ITV drama series Tom Jones, based on Henry Fielding's 1749 novel, inspired by the real life of Etheldreda Townshend.[35][27][36]
In March 2023, Waddingham was announced as part of the cast for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.[37]
In May 2023, Waddingham co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, alongside Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, with Graham Norton joining them for the final.[38][39]
Waddingham appeared in the 2024 action-comedy film The Fall Guy alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, playing producer Gail.[40]
Recordings
[edit]In 2000, Waddingham played the role of Christine in the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton musical The Beautiful Game in London's West End. In October 2000, Waddingham (billed simply as "Hannah"), released a single of the song "Our Kind of Love" from the production. The single peaked at No. 41 in the UK charts.[41]
She later sang the role of Starbird on the soundtrack recording of Space Family Robinson (composers: Julian Butler[42] and Stephen Butler), released by Pop! Records in May 2002, coinciding with the stage production (also featuring Waddingham as Starbird) which ran for three weeks at London's Pleasance Theatre.[43]
On 22 November 2023, Waddingham's debut album, a live album, was released. Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas was recorded at the show of the same name for Apple TV.[44][45][46] The album debuted and peaked at numbers 51 and 43 on the UK Albums Downloads and Soundtrack Albums charts, respectively.[47]
Personal life
[edit]Waddingham emigrated to Australia in 2012 but returned soon after.[48] She was in a relationship with Italian businessman Gianluca Cugnetto for a decade and they had a daughter in 2014, whom Waddingham has raised as a single mother since 2023.[49][50] Waddingham keeps her Emmy Award in her daughter's bedroom to remind her that "mummy will only ever be away when it's for a really, blooming good reason."[4]
Acting credits
[edit]
| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | How to Lose Friends & Alienate People | Elizabeth Maddox | |
| 2012 | Les Misérables | Factory Worker | |
| 2015 | Meet Pursuit Delange: The Movie | Maddie Forrester | |
| 2016 | The Gatehouse | The Agent | |
| 2018 | Winter Ridge | Joanne Hill | |
| 2019 | The Hustle | Shiraz | |
| 2022 | Hocus Pocus 2 | Mother Witch | [52] |
| 2024 | The Fall Guy | Gail Meyer | |
| The Garfield Movie | Jinx | Voice[53] | |
| 2025 | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | Admiral Neely | |
| Lilo & Stitch | Grand Councilwoman | Voice[54] | |
| Smurfs | Jezebeth | Voice[55] | |
| The Woman in Cabin 10 | Heidi | [56] | |
| 2027 | High in the Clouds † | Gretsch | Voice; In production |
| TBA | Mr. Sunny Sky † | TBA | In production |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Coupling | Jenny Turbot | Episode: "Split" |
| Brookside | Georgina Savage | 3 episodes | |
| 2003 | My Hero | Miranda | Episode: "Time and Time Again" |
| 2005 | William and Mary | Penelope | Episode: #3.3 |
| Footballers' Wives | Jools | Episode: #4.9 | |
| Hollyoaks: Let Loose | Mrs. Robertson | 3 episodes | |
| 2006 | My Hero | Lula | Episode: "Sidekick" |
| The Only Boy for Me | Melissa | Television film | |
| 2008 | Doctors | Dixie Deadman | Episode: "Miss Letherbridge" |
| 2009 | M.I. High | Alannah Sucrose | Episode: "The Glove" |
| 2010 | Agatha Christie's Marple | Lola Brewster | Episode: "The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side" |
| Doctors | Jacky Parnell | Episode: "Occupational Hazard" | |
| 2010–2011 | My Family | Katie | 3 episodes |
| 2011 | Not Going Out | Jane | Episode: "Movie" |
| 2012 | Doctors | Rhonda Stowell | Episode: "The Promise" |
| Bad Education | Loretta | Episode: "Self-Defence" | |
| 2014 | Benidorm | Tonya Dyke | 7 episodes (Series 6) |
| Our Gay Wedding: The Musical | Herself | Channel 4 TV special | |
| 2015 | Doctors | Becky Harmison | Episode: "Subsidence" |
| Partners in Crime | Blonde Assassin | 3 episodes | |
| 2015–2016 | Game of Thrones | Septa Unella | 8 episodes |
| 2016 | In the Club | Dr. Stone | 4 episodes |
| Josh | Phillipa | Episode: "Close-up and Long Shot" | |
| The Entire Universe | Time & Space | Television film | |
| 2017 | 12 Monkeys | Magdalena | 4 episodes |
| 2018 | Bad Move | Imelda | Episode: "Big Deal" |
| 2018–2019 | Krypton | Jax-Ur | 13 episodes[57] |
| 2019–2023 | Sex Education | Sofía Marchetti | 11 episodes |
| 2020–present | Ted Lasso | Rebecca Welton | Main role |
| 2021 | Midsomer Murders | Mimi Dagmar | Episode: "The Stitcher Society" |
| Murder, They Hope | Chief Inspector Henrietta Shepherd | Episode: "Dales of the Unexpected" | |
| 2022 | Willow | Hubert | Episode: "The Battle of the Slaughtered Lamb"[58] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK | Guest judge | Series 4 | |
| 2023 | Tom Jones | Lady Bellaston | 3 episodes |
| Eurovision Song Contest | Co-presenter | Presenter for semi-finals and grand final [a] | |
| Earthshot Prize | Co-presenter | Alongside Sterling K. Brown[59] | |
| Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas | Herself | Holiday special for Apple TV+ | |
| The Olivier Awards 2023 | Host | Awards ceremony[b] | |
| 2023–present | Krapopolis | Deliria | Main voice role[60] |
| 2024 | Tiddler | Narrator | Voice, television film[61] |
| The Olivier Awards 2024 | Host | Awards ceremony[c] | |
| TBA | Ride or Die† | Judith | Filming[62] |
Theatre
[edit]Discography
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas |
|
Awards and nominations
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ alongside Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina, and Graham Norton
- ^ first time as Olivier Awards host
- ^ second time as Olivier Awards host
- ^ Jessica Iavazzi (1 May 2024). "Hannah Waddingham Says There's No Way Her 50th Birthday Will Top Turning 40". People. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
So how will Hannah Waddingham celebrate her 50th birthday on July 28?
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham". Golden Globes. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Manx actress to host Eurovision Song Contest". Manx Radio. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Girimonte, Melissa (11 November 2021). "Hannah Waddingham: Things Fans Might Not Know About The Ted Lasso Star". Looper. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b Hallemann, Caroline (23 July 2021). "Hannah Waddingham on the Gift of Ted Lasso". Town & Country. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Space Family Robinson". London Theatre. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ a b Bletchly, Rachael (8 January 2014). "I'd never been groped in my life - and then I joined the cast of Benidorm". Mirror. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b Kirkland, Justin (23 July 2021). "A Few Glasses of Airplane Champagne With Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham". Esquire. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Productions: Lautrec". thisistheatre.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Productions: The Beautiful Game". thisistheatre.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Productions: Tonight's The Night". thisistheatre.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ Bassett, Kate (7 December 2008). "A Little Night Music, Menier Chocolate Factory, London". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Olivier awards nominations". The Guardian. London. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "Into the Woods wins Best Musical Revival". Olivier Awards. Archived 12 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Raven, Paul (11 February 2011). "Second Chance To See Into The Woods". Westendtheatre.com.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham, Paul Keating and More Cast in London Palladium's New Wizard of Oz". Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ Peter, Thomas (4 March 2011). "Hannah Waddingham Sings "Red Shoes Blues," New Song from The Wizard of Oz (Video)". Playbill. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Marianne Benedict taking over from Hannah Waddingham in Wizard of Oz". Blog.musicaltheatrenews.com. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Full List: 2012 Whatsonstage.com Award winners". Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
- ^ Dominic Cavendish (28 June 2012). "Kiss Me Kate, Chichester Festival Theatre, review". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- ^ "Kiss Me, Kate". Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham will present the Fantasy, Myths and Legends Prom at the Royal Albert Hall". BBC Media Centre. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham: Actress drops out of BBC Proms at last minute due to strike". BBC News. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Not Going Out: Season 4, Episode 3, retrieved 30 December 2022
- ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (4 May 2021). "Hannah Waddingham says she was 'waterboarded' for 10 hours filming Game of Thrones torture scene". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Ortiz, Andi (29 September 2021). "'Ted Lasso' Star Hannah Waddingham Kept Her 'Shame' Bell From 'Game of Thrones'". The Wrap. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b Davies, Matilda (4 November 2021). "Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham joins Doctor Who's Pearl Mackie in ITV drama". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Amiet, Kristen (15 September 2021). "Rebecca And Keeley's Friendship Brings Another Unexpected Joy To 'Ted Lasso'". Junkee. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Weekes, Princess (14 December 2020). "The Refreshing Friendship Between Keeley and Rebecca in Ted Lasso". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Rodrigues, Lyndsey (16 July 2021). "Why Female Friendships Like the Ladies' From 'Ted Lasso' Need More Screentime". The Latch. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Aquilina, Tyler (1 September 2021). "Ted Lasso co-creator shares proof that star Hannah Waddingham does her own singing". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (18 January 2021). "'Ozark,' 'The Crown' and Netflix Lead 26th Annual Critics' Choice Awards TV Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ Stine, Alison (October 2022). "The power of Hannah Waddingham's character Mother Witch in "Hocus Pocus 2"". Salon.
- ^ Menta, Anna. "Hannah Waddingham Is a Hot Witch Mommy In 'Hocus Pocus 2' And I'm Living For It". Decider.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (3 November 2021). "Emmy-Winning 'Ted Lasso' Star Hannah Waddingham Joins ITV/Masterpiece's 'Tom Jones'". Deadline. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Sherson, Errol (1926). The Lively Lady Townshend and her Friends. London: William Heinemann Ltd. p. 314.
- ^ McPherson, Christopher (10 March 2023). "'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 2' Adds Hannah Waddingham". Collider. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "Meet our Eurovision 2023 family!". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ Halliday, Josh (12 May 2023). "Eurovision's Hannah Waddingham: from Ted Lasso to 'overnight national treasure'". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ Kit, Borys (11 November 2022). "Hannah Waddingham Joins Ryan Gosling in The Fall Guy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 242. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Julian Butler | Theatre Composer". www.julianbutler.co.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "Space Family Robinson". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ Saner, Emine (18 December 2023). "'There's just this wave of love!' Hannah Waddingham on Emmys, Eurovision and her wildest year ever". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ Petri, Alexandra E. (21 November 2023). "Hannah Waddingham's voice (and humor) take center stage in 'Home for Christmas'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham - Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas (Soundtrack from the Apple Original)". Spotify. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham Chart History". Official Charts. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ Purves, Libby (12 November 2012). "Kiss me Kate: how Trevor Nunn saw past the 6ft blonde in Hannah Waddingham". The Times. London. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Bullard, Benjamin (4 April 2024). "Is Hannah Waddingham Single? All About The Fall Guy Star's Family, Child & More". NBC Insider. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham awaits 'fabulous' man in her life". The International News. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham: From Ted Lasso to a Eurovision Song Contest star". BBC News. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ Schwartz, Ryan (31 October 2021). "Disney+'s Hocus Pocus 2 Sets Fall 2022 Release, Adds Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale and Sam Richardson". TVLine. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (17 August 2022). "Garfield: Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Hannah Waddingham & Cecily Strong Board Animated Feature From Alcon Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ McDonough, Jennifer (22 August 2024). "Lilo & Stitch Is Coming to Life! See the Cast of the Live-Action Movie Side-by-Side with the Animated Characters from the Original". People.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (11 April 2024). "The Smurfs Movie Sets Starry Cast to Join Rihanna; Dave Bautista, Eric Nam Board Airbender Franchise". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt; D'Alessandro, Anthony (23 September 2024). "Guy Pearce, Hannah Waddingham, Kaya Scodelario, Gugu Mbatha-Raw & More Join Keira Knightley In Netflix Thriller The Woman In Cabin 10". Deadline. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Petski, Denise (24 January 2018). "Krypton: Hannah Waddingham Cast As Jax-Ur In Syfy Superman Prequel Series". Deadline. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Jirak, Jamie (7 December 2022). "Willow Writer Breaks Down That Big Episode 3 Cameo (Exclusive)". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Prince William hits green carpet for Earthshot ceremony". itn.co.uk. Retrieved 13 November 2023.[dead link]
- ^ White, Peter (2 March 2023). "Dan Harmon's Krapopolis Renewed For Season 3 At Fox Ahead Of Premiere As Animated Series Moves To 2023-24 Season". Deadline. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "BBC announces Hannah Waddingham, Lolly Adefope, and Rob Brydon to lead the cast of Tiddler, a new animation based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler". bbc.co.uk/mediacentre. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (27 February 2025). "Bill Nighy Joins Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham in Amazon Prime Video Action Series 'Ride or Die' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ "BAFTA Television 2024: The Winners and Nominations". BAFTA.org. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (7 March 2021). "Critics Choice Awards 2021 Full Winners: Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland' Continues Its Reign on Awards Season". Variety. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham". Golden Globes. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ "International Film Festival of Wales | 2018". Film Festival Guild. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Olivier Winners 2007". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "Olivier Awards Winners 2010 – Official London Theatre". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "Olivier Winners 2013". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (13 July 2021). "Emmy Nominations: 'The Crown', 'The Mandalorian' Top List; HBO/HBO Max Edges Netflix For Top Spot – Full List Of Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary; Nordyke, Kimberly (12 July 2022). "2022 Emmy Awards Nominations Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ "Hannah Waddingham". Television Academy. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "SAG Awards: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' 'Minari' Top Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "SAG Awards: 'House of Gucci,' 'The Power of the Dog' Lead Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (15 July 2021). "'Ted Lasso,' 'WandaVision,' & 'I May Destroy You' Lead 2021 TCA Award Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "Archive.ph". Archived from the original on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ "Full List: 2010 Whatsonstage.com Award Winners". WhatsOnStage. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
- ^ "Full list: Winners announced of the 2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards". WhatsOnStage. 17 February 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Hannah Waddingham at Wikimedia Commons- Hannah Waddingham at IMDb
Hannah Waddingham
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Early life
Hannah Waddingham was born on 28 July 1974 in Wandsworth, London, to parents Melodie Kelly and Harry Waddingham.[10] Her mother, an opera singer of Manx descent from Port Erin on the Isle of Man, and her father, a retired marketing director and former model, provided a household steeped in artistic influences, with Waddingham inheriting half-Manx heritage through her maternal side.[11][12] Both of her maternal grandparents were also professional opera singers, further embedding performance in her family background.[1] From a young age, Waddingham was immersed in the theatre world due to her mother's career, particularly after Kelly joined the English National Opera chorus when Waddingham was eight years old, where she performed for 27 years.[13][2] She frequently attended performances at the London Coliseum, watching her mother on stage and spending time backstage, which sparked her early fascination with the performing arts.[14] This environment fostered her childhood hobbies of singing and acting, as she often joined her mother in musical activities around the home and theatre.[3] During her school years, Waddingham encountered challenges that tested her determination, including a drama teacher's public remark to the class that she would "never work on screen" because her appearance resembled "one side of her face has had a stroke."[15] This criticism, rooted in her distinctive features and height, contributed to experiences of bullying but ultimately built her resilience and steered her toward stage performance as a primary outlet.[16][17]Education
Waddingham attended Streatham and Clapham High School, a private girls' school in southwest London, where she developed an early interest in performing arts influenced by her family's theatrical background. Her mother, an opera singer, and maternal grandparents in the profession inspired her passion for stage performance from a young age.[10] During her school years, Waddingham encountered significant self-doubt and rejections that tested her resolve. A drama teacher publicly mocked her appearance in front of the class, stating she would "never work on screen because she looks like one side of her face has had a stroke," while the headmistress denied her leading roles in school productions, assigning her only understudy parts and discouraging her ambitions by suggesting she merely "read drama" at university.[15][18][16] Despite these setbacks, she secured a scholarship to pursue formal training, channeling the criticism into determination to prove her detractors wrong.[18] She later trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) in London, graduating with skills in acting and singing that prepared her for a career in musical theatre.[19] At ALRA, Waddingham honed her four-octave vocal range and stage presence, building resilience amid the rigorous demands of professional performance training.[19] Following her graduation, Waddingham took her initial professional steps in theatre, beginning with dinner theatre and interactive comedy productions such as Joni and Gina's Wedding, which marked her entry into the West End scene in the late 1990s. These early roles allowed her to gain experience and visibility, laying the foundation for her subsequent acclaimed stage work.[20]Performing career
Theatre
Waddingham began her professional theatre career in the early 1990s, taking on understudy and ensemble roles in various West End productions, including as an understudy in Sunset Boulevard and ensemble member in shows like Cats.[21] Her breakthrough came in 1998 with principal roles, starting as the Shimmy Girl in the UK tour of Smokey Joe's Café.[22] That same year, she made her West End debut as Chesty Prospects in the sci-fi musical Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens at the Queen's Theatre.[23] Waddingham's career gained significant momentum with her portrayal of the Lady of the Lake in Monty Python's Spamalot. She originated the role in the West End production at the Palace Theatre from 2006 to early 2008.[24] The role earned her an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in 2007.[3] She then transferred to the Broadway production in January 2008.[25] In 2008–2009, she played Désirée Armfeldt in Trevor Nunn's revival of A Little Night Music at the Menier Chocolate Factory, transferring to the West End's Gielgud Theatre, earning an Olivier Award nomination in 2010.[26] In 2012, Waddingham starred as Lilli Vanessi/Kate in Trevor Nunn's revival of Kiss Me, Kate, first at Chichester Festival Theatre and then at the Old Vic in London.[27] She received another Olivier nomination for this performance.[3] From 2023 to 2024, Waddingham hosted the Olivier Awards, bringing her musical theatre expertise to the ceremony celebrating London's stage productions.[28]Television
Waddingham's breakthrough in television came with her role as the stern Septa Unella in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, appearing in five episodes across seasons 5 and 6 from 2015 to 2016.[29] Her portrayal of the devout follower involved in the Faith Militant's "walk of atonement" scene garnered attention for its intensity.[30] In 2019, she joined the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education as Sofia Marchetti, a recurring character in seasons 2 and 3 through 2021, appearing in five episodes total as a sophisticated yet flawed love interest.[31] This role highlighted her versatility in blending humor with emotional depth in ensemble casts.[32] Waddingham achieved widespread acclaim for her leading role as Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso from 2020 to 2023, starring in all 34 episodes across three seasons as the sharp-witted owner of AFC Richmond.[33] Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2021, along with multiple nominations, and was praised for evolving the character from a vengeful antagonist to a multifaceted ally. In 2023, Waddingham co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest final in Liverpool alongside Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina, and Graham Norton, marking her debut in major television presenting and drawing an audience of over 160 million viewers worldwide.[30] She has also appeared in miniseries such as [Tom Jones](/page/Tom Jones) (2023) as Lady Bellaston.Film
Waddingham made her feature film debut in 2008 and has since appeared in a variety of supporting and voice roles across genres including comedy, thriller, and action. Prior to 2008, she had no credited appearances in feature films.[24] Her film roles include:| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | How to Lose Friends & Alienate People | Elizabeth Maddox, a British socialite and love interest in this comedy about an American journalist navigating the London media scene. |
| 2012 | Les Misérables | Factory Woman 2, one of the workers in the ensemble depicting the harsh conditions of 19th-century France.[34] |
| 2018 | Winter Ridge | Joanne Hill, a psychiatrist aiding in a murder investigation in this psychological thriller. |
| 2019 | The Hustle | Shiraz, a glamorous con artist in this female-led remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. |
| 2022 | Hocus Pocus 2 | Mother Witch, the leader of a coven of witches in this Disney supernatural comedy sequel. |
| 2024 | The Fall Guy | Gail Meyer, a film producer in this action comedy centered on a stuntman. |
| 2024 | The Garfield Movie | Jinx (voice), a feline ally in this animated adventure following the lasagna-loving cat. |
| 2025 | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | Admiral Neely, a U.S. Navy admiral involved in high-stakes espionage operations. |
| 2025 | Lilo & Stitch | Grand Councilwoman (voice), the authoritative head of the Galactic Federation in this live-action remake. |
| 2025 | The Smurfs Movie | Jezebeth (voice), a character in this animated family comedy. |
| 2025 | The Woman in Cabin 10 | Heidi Heatherley, a supporting role in this thriller adaptation of Ruth Ware's novel about a cruise ship mystery. |
Music career
Recordings
Waddingham's first foray into recordings came with the release of her debut single "Our Kind of Love" in 2000. Credited simply as Hannah, the track is a cover of the ballad originally from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Beautiful Game, in which she had performed during its West End run. Released by Telstar Records, the single showcased her powerful soprano voice in a theatre-influenced pop style, blending emotional depth with orchestral arrangement conducted by Simon Lee.[35][36] Over the years, Waddingham's recording contributions extended to soundtracks and collaborative projects, evolving from her early pop-oriented work toward more festive and cinematic outputs. In 2023, she featured on the soundtrack for her Apple TV+ holiday special Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas, performing duets and ensemble pieces with guests including Luke Evans on "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bells", and Leslie Odom Jr. on "Please Come Home for Christmas", captured live at the London Coliseum. These recordings highlighted her versatility in holiday-themed arrangements with choral and big-band elements.[37][38] This shift continued into 2024 with her vocal contribution to The Garfield Movie original motion picture soundtrack, where she performed the upbeat track "I'm Back," infusing the animated film's score with her signature dramatic flair. Such projects marked a progression in her discography, emphasizing collaborative holiday and soundtrack work over solo pop releases.[39][40]Discography
Hannah Waddingham's discography as a lead artist consists primarily of her debut album, released in conjunction with her Apple TV+ holiday special. Prior to this, she had no full-length solo albums, with her musical outputs limited to cast recordings and contributions to soundtracks from her theatre and television work. Her first major solo release, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas (Soundtrack from the Apple Original), was issued on 22 November 2023 by Platoon.[37] The eight-track collection features holiday standards and covers, blending traditional carols with upbeat festive numbers, and includes collaborations with artists such as Leslie Odom Jr. on "Please Come Home for Christmas," Luke Evans on "Jingle Bells," and Sam Ryder on "Run Rudolph Run."[37] Produced to accompany the live-concert special filmed at the London Coliseum, the album showcases Waddingham's transition from stage performer to recording artist, drawing on her classical vocal training for operatic flourishes amid soulful belting.[41] The album achieved modest commercial success, debuting and peaking at number 51 on the UK Album Downloads Chart and number 43 on the UK Soundtrack Albums Chart, with a total of four weeks on the former.[42] Critics commended Waddingham's vocal prowess, noting her ability to infuse holiday classics with emotional depth and theatrical range, often highlighting the operatic quality of tracks like "O Holy Night" featuring the ENO Chorus.[43][41]Singles
| Title | Release Date | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Christmas Means to Me | November 2023 | Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas | Lead single from the album, an upbeat cover of the Stevie Wonder-penned holiday standard.[44] |
| O Holy Night (feat. The ENO Chorus) | November 2023 | Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas | Traditional carol performed with operatic backing; highlighted for its soaring vocals in reviews of the special.[37][43] |
Other professional activities
Hosting and presenting
Hannah Waddingham transitioned into hosting and presenting roles following her established career in musical theatre, where her commanding stage presence and charisma honed over decades enabled her to engage large audiences with infectious energy and wit.[45] Her breakthrough in Ted Lasso further amplified these skills, opening opportunities in high-profile live events that capitalized on her ability to blend humor, performance, and spontaneity.[46] In May 2023, Waddingham co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest finals in Liverpool, United Kingdom, alongside British presenter Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, marking the event's return to the UK on behalf of Ukraine.[30] Her performance was widely praised for injecting humor, high energy, and a willingness to embrace the contest's playful silliness, quickly establishing her as a standout host and earning rave reviews from viewers and critics alike.[47][48] Waddingham made her debut as host of the Laurence Olivier Awards in April 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall, stepping in after the original host withdrew and delivering an engaging ceremony that highlighted West End theatre achievements.[49] She returned to host the 2024 edition, opening the show with a vibrant performance of "Anything Goes" alongside pianist Joe Stilgoe and the London Community Gospel Choir, which set a lively tone for the evening's celebrations of British theatre.[50][51] Beyond awards ceremonies, Waddingham has taken on presenting duties at red carpet events, including the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards, where she arrived in a striking Oscar de la Renta gown and later performed an exclusive musical number on stage.[52] In July 2025, she made a guest appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside composer Tim Minchin, providing commentary on various television programs in the series' final episode.[53] Post-Ted Lasso, she hosted the Apple TV+ holiday special Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas in November 2023, a musical variety program featuring guest stars like Leslie Odom Jr. and Phil Dunster, which showcased her presenting style through a mix of songs, interviews, and festive storytelling.[54][14] In November 2025, Waddingham hosted the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on November 8, delivering a heartfelt performance of "We'll Meet Again" as a tribute to her veteran grandfather and contributing to the event's themes of remembrance and unity.[55]Endorsements and voice work
Waddingham has engaged in several high-profile commercial endorsements, particularly following her Emmy win for Ted Lasso in 2021, which facilitated her expansion into the US market. In 2023, she partnered with Johnnie Walker for the "Watch Women's Sports" campaign tied to the FIFA Women's World Cup, producing "Match Day Memos" videos to encourage viewership of women's athletics and promote gender equity in sports.[56][57] That same year, she featured prominently in Marks & Spencer's Christmas advertising campaign, appearing alongside celebrities like Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Zawe Ashton in festive promotions for clothing and homeware.[58][59] In 2024, Waddingham became the face of Pepperidge Farm's "Have a Little Taste" campaign in the United States, starring in commercials that highlighted the brand's cookies, including a holiday-themed spot with grilled cheese sandwiches and the launch of a limited-edition Milano London Fog cookie flavor.[60][61][62] In early 2025, she starred in a television advertisement for Princess Cruises' "The Love Boat" campaign, airing from February 14 to March 16, promoting the cruise line as its ship godmother, with the 30-second spot featuring her on the Sun Princess.[63][8] By March 2025, she was honored by Mattel as a Barbie UK Role Model alongside Ted Lasso co-star Juno Temple, receiving custom dolls to celebrate female friendship on International Women's Day; the initiative included promotional content emphasizing empowerment and camaraderie.[64][65][66] Beyond commercials, Waddingham has undertaken select voice work outside of film projects. In 2024, she provided the narration for the BBC One animated Christmas special Tiddler, adapting Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's children's book into a half-hour program that aired on BBC and BBC iPlayer.[67][68] This project showcased her versatile vocal delivery in storytelling for young audiences. While her charity involvement has primarily focused on live performances, such as musical numbers at events like THUNDERGONG! 2023 benefiting Steps of Faith Foundation, recorded voice contributions remain limited.[69]Personal life
Family
Hannah Waddingham was in a long-term relationship with Italian hotelier and businessman Gianluca Cugnetto, which began around 2012 after they met through a mutual friend.[70][71] The couple welcomed a daughter, Kitty, in 2014, just days before Waddingham's 40th birthday.[72][9] Waddingham has shared that she faced significant infertility challenges prior to Kitty's birth, having been informed by doctors during a routine check that her fertility levels were too low for her to conceive naturally.[73][74] At age 39, she turned to Eastern medicine, including acupuncture, which she credits with enabling her pregnancy within weeks.[75][76] The relationship with Cugnetto ended in separation around 2022–2023, after which Waddingham has embraced single motherhood.[77][78] She has described the demands of raising Kitty alone as exhausting but fulfilling, emphasizing her commitment to co-parenting while fiercely protecting her daughter's privacy from public scrutiny.[79][80] The family's time together was influenced by Cugnetto's work in Italy, where Waddingham learned the language and spent periods residing.[81]Challenges and interests
Waddingham is fluent in French, a skill she demonstrated during her hosting duties at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023, where she impressed audiences by delivering segments in the language.[82] She also speaks Italian proficiently, influenced by her long-term relationship with Italian hotelier Gianluca Cugnetto.[83] Throughout her career, Waddingham has faced significant personal challenges, including anxiety stemming from the pressures of balancing professional commitments with motherhood; she has described experiencing "horrific anxiety" when required to leave her young daughter for extended filming periods shortly after birth. Waddingham has also discussed navigating her daughter's diagnosis with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), a rare autoimmune disorder, around 2018, which intensified these challenges and reinforced her preference for roles allowing proximity to family.[77][84] To inspire perseverance amid such hurdles, she placed her 2021 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in her daughter's bedroom as a symbol of hard work's rewards.[84] Waddingham advocates for body positivity, drawing from a formative experience where a drama teacher cruelly remarked that her facial features—claiming one side looked like it had suffered a stroke—would prevent her from succeeding on screen, an insult that instilled a lasting complex but ultimately fueled her determination.[16] Her fitness routine emphasizes sustainable practices, including boogie boarding for full-body cardiovascular benefits, Pilates for core strength, and bodyweight exercises to maintain mobility, particularly after recovering from chronic back issues.[85] She supports arts education by sharing her story of overcoming early discouragement in interviews and speeches, crediting such adversities for building resilience in aspiring performers.[16] In philanthropy, Waddingham serves as an ambassador for Acting For Others, a UK-based organization aiding theatre professionals through affiliated charities focused on welfare and career support.[86]Filmography
Film
Waddingham made her feature film debut in 2008 and has since appeared in a variety of supporting and voice roles across genres including comedy, thriller, and action. Prior to 2008, she had no credited appearances in feature films.[24] Her film roles include:| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | How to Lose Friends & Alienate People | Elizabeth Maddox, a British socialite and love interest in this comedy about an American journalist navigating the London media scene. |
| 2012 | Les Misérables | Factory Worker, one of the workers in the ensemble depicting the harsh conditions of 19th-century France.[34] |
| 2016 | The Gatehouse | The Agent, a mysterious figure in this British horror thriller.[24] |
| 2018 | Winter Ridge | Joanne Hill, a psychiatrist aiding in a murder investigation in this psychological thriller. |
| 2019 | The Hustle | Shiraz, a glamorous con artist in this female-led remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. |
| 2022 | Hocus Pocus 2 | Mother Witch, the leader of a coven of witches in this Disney supernatural comedy sequel. |
| 2024 | The Fall Guy | Gail Meyer, a film producer in this action comedy centered on a stuntman. |
| 2024 | The Garfield Movie | Jinx (voice), a feline ally in this animated adventure following the lasagna-loving cat. |
| 2025 | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | Admiral Neely, a U.S. Navy admiral involved in high-stakes espionage operations. |
| 2025 | Lilo & Stitch | Grand Councilwoman (voice), the authoritative head of the Galactic Federation in this live-action remake. |
| 2025 | The Smurfs Movie | Jezebeth (voice), a character in this animated family comedy. |
| 2025 | The Woman in Cabin 10 | Heidi Heatherley, a supporting role in this thriller adaptation of Ruth Ware's novel about a cruise ship mystery.[87] |