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Hannah Waddingham
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]
Waddingham alongside co-host Graham Norton at the Saturday afternoon preview show for the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

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]

Waddingham speaks fluent French and Italian.[51]

Acting credits

[edit]
Waddingham in 2010
Key
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]
Year Title Role Theatre Location
1997 Face the Music Miss Eisenheimer Barbican Theatre London
1998 Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens Shirley Tristar/Chesty Prospects Queen's Theatre West End
2000 Lautrec Suzanne Valadon Queen's Theatre West End
2000–2001 The Beautiful Game Christine Cambridge Theatre West End
2002 Space Family Robinson Starbird Pleasance Theatre Islington London
2003 Tonight's the Night Satan Victoria Palace Theatre West End
2006 Bad Girls: The Musical Nikki Wade West Yorkshire Playhouse Leeds
2006–2007 Spamalot Lady of the Lake Palace Theatre West End
2008 Shubert Theatre Broadway
2009 A Little Night Music Desirée Armfeldt Menier Chocolate Factory West End
Garrick Theatre
2010 Into the Woods The Witch Regent's Park Open Air Theatre London
2011 The Wizard of Oz Miss Gulch / Wicked Witch London Palladium West End
Soho Cinders Gala Concert Marilyn Platt Queen's Theatre
2012 Kiss Me, Kate Lilli Vanessi / Katharina Minola Chichester Festival Theatre Chichester
2012–2013 The Old Vic London
2013 A Little Hotel on the Side Mme. Angelique Pinglet Theatre Royal Bath

Discography

[edit]
List of albums, with selected details
Title Details
Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas
  • Released: 22 November 2023
  • Label: Apple Video Programming
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Organization Year Category Work Result Ref.
British Academy Television Awards 2024 Best Entertainment Performance Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Nominated [63]
Best Entertainment Programme Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards 2021 Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso (season one) Won [64]
2022 Ted Lasso (season two) Won
Golden Globe Awards 2021 Best Supporting Actress – Television Ted Lasso (season one) Nominated
2023 Best Supporting Actress – Television Ted Lasso (season three) Nominated [65]
HCA TV Awards 2021 Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso Won [66]
International Film Festival of Wales 2018 Best Supporting Actress Winter Ridge Won [67]
Laurence Olivier Awards 2007 Best Actress in a Musical Spamalot Nominated [68]
2010 Best Actress in a Musical A Little Night Music Nominated [69]
2013 Kiss Me, Kate Nominated [70]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2021 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso (episode: "All Apologies") Won [71]
2022 Ted Lasso (episode: "No Weddings and a Funeral") Nominated [72]
2023 Ted Lasso (episode: "International Break") Nominated [73]
2024 Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance Krapopolis (episode: "Big Man on Hippocampus") Nominated [74]
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2021 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso (season one) Nominated [75]
2022 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso (season two) Nominated [76]
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2023 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso (season three) Nominated [77]
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
TCA Awards 2021 Individual Achievement in Comedy Ted Lasso Nominated [78]
WhatsOnStage Awards 2007 Best Actress in a Musical Spamalot Nominated [79]
2010 Best Actress in a Musical A Little Night Music Nominated [80]
2013 Best Actress in a Musical Kiss Me, Kate Nominated [81]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Hannah Waddingham (born 28 July 1974) is an English actress, singer, and television presenter renowned for her versatile performances in musical theater, television, and film, particularly her Emmy-winning portrayal of Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ series . Born in , , Waddingham grew up in a family deeply rooted in the ; her mother, Melodie Kelly, was a with the for 27 years, and both maternal grandparents were singers. She trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) in , where she developed her four-octave despite lacking formal singing training. Waddingham began her career in the early 2000s on the West End stage, earning three Laurence Olivier Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical for her roles in Spamalot (2007), A Little Night Music (2010), and Kiss Me, Kate (2013). She later transitioned to screen work, gaining international recognition for playing the stern Septa Unella in HBO's Game of Thrones (2015–2016) and appearing in films such as Les Misérables: The 25th Anniversary Concert (2010), How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008), and Hocus Pocus 2 (2022). Her breakthrough came with (2020–2023; 2025–present), where she portrayed the complex AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton, earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2021), two (2021, 2022), two for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2021, 2023), and Golden Globe nominations in 2022 and 2024. Beyond acting, Waddingham has hosted prestigious events, including the Laurence Olivier Awards in 2023 and 2024—where she performed numbers like "Anything Goes"—and co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool alongside Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina, and Graham Norton. Recent projects include her role in the film Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) and serving as the face of a luxury cruise line promotion in 2025. In her , Waddingham is a single mother to daughter Kitty (born 2014), with whom she has navigated challenges like Kitty's diagnosis with Henoch-Schönlein purpura, influencing Waddingham's preference for television work to maintain work-life balance.

Early years

Early life

Hannah Waddingham was born on 28 July 1974 in , , to parents Melodie Kelly and Harry Waddingham. Her mother, an singer of Manx descent from on the Isle of Man, and her father, a retired director and former model, provided a household steeped in artistic influences, with Waddingham inheriting half-Manx heritage through her maternal side. Both of her maternal grandparents were also professional singers, further embedding performance in her family background. From a young age, Waddingham was immersed in the theatre world due to her 's career, particularly after Kelly joined the chorus when Waddingham was eight years old, where she performed for 27 years. She frequently attended performances at the London Coliseum, watching her on stage and spending time backstage, which sparked her early fascination with the . This environment fostered her childhood hobbies of singing and acting, as she often joined her in musical activities around the home and theatre. 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 ." This criticism, rooted in her distinctive features and height, contributed to experiences of but ultimately built her resilience and steered her toward stage performance as a primary outlet.

Education

Waddingham attended and High School, a private girls' in southwest , where she developed an early interest in 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. During her years, Waddingham encountered significant self-doubt and rejections that tested her resolve. A 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 ," while the headmistress denied her leading roles in productions, assigning her only parts and discouraging her ambitions by suggesting she merely "read " at university. Despite these setbacks, she secured a scholarship to pursue formal training, channeling the criticism into determination to prove her detractors wrong. She later trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) in , graduating with skills in and that prepared her for a career in . At ALRA, Waddingham honed her four-octave and presence, building resilience amid the rigorous demands of professional performance training. Following her graduation, Waddingham took her initial professional steps in theatre, beginning with dinner theatre and interactive comedy productions such as , which marked her entry into the West End scene in the late . These early roles allowed her to gain experience and visibility, laying the foundation for her subsequent acclaimed stage work.

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. Her breakthrough came in 1998 with principal roles, starting as the Shimmy Girl in the UK tour of Smokey Joe's Café. 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. Waddingham's career gained significant momentum with her portrayal of the Lady of the Lake in Monty Python's . She originated the role in the West End production at the Palace Theatre from 2006 to early 2008. The role earned her an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in 2007. She then transferred to the Broadway production in January 2008. In 2008–2009, she played Désirée Armfeldt in Trevor Nunn's revival of at the , transferring to the West End's , earning an Olivier Award nomination in 2010. In 2012, Waddingham starred as Lilli Vanessi/Kate in Trevor Nunn's revival of , first at and then at in . She received another Olivier nomination for this performance. From 2023 to 2024, Waddingham hosted the Olivier Awards, bringing her expertise to the ceremony celebrating London's stage productions.

Television

Waddingham's breakthrough in television came with her role as the stern Septa Unella in the fantasy series , appearing in five episodes across seasons 5 and 6 from 2015 to 2016. Her portrayal of the devout follower involved in the Faith Militant's "walk of " scene garnered attention for its intensity. In 2019, she joined the comedy-drama 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. This role highlighted her versatility in blending humor with emotional depth in ensemble casts. Waddingham achieved widespread acclaim for her leading role as Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ series from 2020 to 2023, starring in all 34 episodes across three seasons as the sharp-witted owner of AFC Richmond. 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 to a multifaceted ally. In 2023, Waddingham co-hosted the final in alongside , , and , marking her debut in major television presenting and drawing an audience of over 160 million viewers worldwide. She has also appeared in 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. Her film roles include:
YearTitleRole
2008How to Lose Friends & Alienate PeopleElizabeth Maddox, a British socialite and love interest in this comedy about an American journalist navigating the London media scene.
2012Factory Woman 2, one of the workers in the ensemble depicting the harsh conditions of 19th-century .
2018Joanne Hill, a aiding in a murder investigation in this .
2019The HustleShiraz, a glamorous in this female-led remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
2022Mother Witch, the leader of a of witches in this supernatural comedy sequel.
2024Gail Meyer, a in this centered on a stuntman.
2024Jinx (voice), a feline ally in this animated adventure following the lasagna-loving cat.
2025 – The Final ReckoningAdmiral Neely, a U.S. involved in high-stakes operations.
2025Grand Councilwoman (voice), the authoritative head of the Galactic Federation in this live-action remake.
2025Jezebeth (voice), a character in this animated family comedy.
2025The Woman in Cabin 10Heidi Heatherley, a supporting role in this thriller of Ruth Ware's about a 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 , the single showcased her powerful voice in a theatre-influenced pop style, blending emotional depth with orchestral arrangement conducted by Simon Lee. 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 on "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bells", and 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. 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.

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. 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." 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. 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. 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 "" featuring the ENO Chorus.

Singles

TitleRelease DateAlbumNotes
What Christmas Means to MeNovember 2023Hannah Waddingham: Home for ChristmasLead single from the album, an upbeat cover of the Stevie Wonder-penned holiday standard.
O Holy Night (feat. The ENO Chorus)November 2023Hannah Waddingham: Home for ChristmasTraditional carol performed with operatic backing; highlighted for its soaring vocals in reviews of the special.

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. 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. In May 2023, Waddingham co-hosted the finals in , , alongside British presenter and Ukrainian singer , marking the event's return to the on behalf of . 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. Waddingham made her debut as host of the in April 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall, stepping in after the original host withdrew and delivering an engaging ceremony that highlighted achievements. She returned to host the 2024 edition, opening the show with a vibrant performance of "" alongside pianist Joe Stilgoe and the London Community Gospel Choir, which set a lively tone for the evening's celebrations of British theatre. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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 s, including a holiday-themed spot with grilled cheese sandwiches and the launch of a limited-edition Milano London Fog flavor. In early 2025, she starred in a television advertisement for ' "" campaign, airing from February 14 to March 16, promoting the as its ship godmother, with the 30-second featuring her on the Sun Princess. By March 2025, she was honored by as a Role Model alongside Ted Lasso co-star , receiving custom dolls to celebrate female friendship on ; the initiative included promotional content emphasizing empowerment and camaraderie. Beyond commercials, Waddingham has undertaken select voice work outside of film projects. In 2024, she provided the narration for the animated Christmas special Tiddler, adapting and Axel Scheffler's children's book into a half-hour program that aired on and . 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.

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. The couple welcomed a daughter, Kitty, in 2014, just days before Waddingham's 40th birthday. Waddingham has shared that she faced significant challenges prior to Kitty's birth, having been informed by doctors during a routine check that her levels were too low for her to conceive naturally. At age 39, she turned to Eastern medicine, including , which she credits with enabling her within weeks. The relationship with Cugnetto ended in separation around 2022–2023, after which Waddingham has embraced single motherhood. 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. The family's time together was influenced by Cugnetto's work in , where Waddingham learned the language and spent periods residing.

Challenges and interests

Waddingham is fluent in French, a skill she demonstrated during her hosting duties at the in 2023, where she impressed audiences by delivering segments in the language. She also speaks Italian proficiently, influenced by her long-term relationship with Italian hotelier Gianluca Cugnetto. 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. 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. Waddingham advocates for , drawing from a formative where a drama teacher cruelly remarked that her facial features—claiming one side looked like it had suffered a —would prevent her from succeeding on screen, an insult that instilled a lasting complex but ultimately fueled her determination. Her fitness routine emphasizes sustainable practices, including boogie boarding for full-body cardiovascular benefits, for core strength, and bodyweight exercises to maintain mobility, particularly after recovering from chronic back issues. 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. In philanthropy, Waddingham serves as an ambassador for Acting For Others, a UK-based organization aiding professionals through affiliated charities focused on welfare and career support.

Filmography

Film

Waddingham made her debut in and has since appeared in a variety of supporting and voice roles across genres including , and action. Prior to , she had no credited appearances in . Her film roles include:
YearTitleRole
2008How to Lose Friends & Alienate PeopleElizabeth Maddox, a British socialite and love interest in this comedy about an American journalist navigating the London media scene.
2012Factory Worker, one of the workers in the ensemble depicting the harsh conditions of 19th-century .
2016The GatehouseThe Agent, a mysterious figure in this British horror thriller.
2018Winter RidgeJoanne Hill, a aiding in a murder investigation in this .
2019The HustleShiraz, a glamorous in this female-led remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
2022Mother Witch, the leader of a of witches in this supernatural comedy sequel.
2024The Fall GuyGail Meyer, a in this centered on a stuntman.
2024The Garfield MovieJinx (voice), a feline ally in this animated adventure following the lasagna-loving .
2025 – The Final ReckoningAdmiral Neely, a U.S. involved in high-stakes operations.
2025Grand Councilwoman (voice), the authoritative head of the Galactic Federation in this live-action remake.
2025The Smurfs MovieJezebeth (voice), a character in this animated family comedy.
2025The Woman in Cabin 10Heidi Heatherley, a supporting role in this thriller adaptation of Ruth Ware's novel about a cruise ship mystery.

Television

Waddingham's breakthrough in television came with her role as the stern Septa Unella in the fantasy series , appearing in five episodes across seasons 5 and 6 from 2015 to 2016. Her portrayal of the devout follower involved in the Faith Militant's "walk of atonement" scene garnered attention for its intensity. Early television roles include guest appearances in series such as (2002, 1 episode as Jenny Turbot), (2014, 7 episodes as Tonya Dyke), and others from 2002 to 2014. In 2019, she joined the comedy-drama Sex Education as Sofia Marchetti, a recurring character in seasons 2–4 (2019–2023), appearing in 11 episodes total as a sophisticated yet flawed love interest. This role highlighted her versatility in blending humor with emotional depth in ensemble casts. Waddingham achieved widespread acclaim for her leading role as Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ series from 2020 to 2023, starring in all 34 episodes across three seasons as the sharp-witted owner of AFC Richmond. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Series in , along with multiple nominations, and was praised for evolving the character from a vengeful antagonist to a multifaceted ally. In 2023, Waddingham starred as Lady Bellaston in the miniseries Tom Jones (3 episodes).

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. Her breakthrough came in 1998 with principal roles, starting as the Shimmy Girl in the UK tour of Smokey Joe's Café. 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. Waddingham's career gained significant momentum with her portrayal of the Lady of the Lake in Monty Python's . She first joined the Broadway production as a replacement in 2005 before transferring to the West End original cast at the Palace Theatre, where she performed from 2006 to 2008. The role earned her an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in 2007. She received further acclaim for Desirée Armfeldt in (2009–2010) at the and , earning another Olivier nomination, and as The Witch in (2010) at . In 2011, she played the Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Gulch in at the London Palladium. In 2012, Waddingham starred as Lilli Vanessi/Kate in Trevor Nunn's revival of , first at and then at in . She received another Olivier nomination for this performance.

Awards and nominations

Emmy and Critics' Choice Awards

Hannah Waddingham received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Rebecca Welton, the AFC Richmond owner in the Apple TV+ series , earning her significant recognition at major television awards. In 2021, she won the for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the 73rd Annual for her performance in the show's first season. She was nominated again in the same category at the 74th Annual in 2022 for the second season. She received a third consecutive nomination in the same category at the 75th Annual in 2023 for the third season. Waddingham's success extended to the Critics' Choice Television Awards, where she secured consecutive victories in the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category. She won the award in 2021 for Ted Lasso's debut season, marking an early highlight of the series' critical reception. In 2022, she repeated as winner for the second season, further solidifying her status as a standout performer in comedic television. Additionally, Waddingham was part of the ensemble that won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2022, with her accepting the honor on behalf of the cast. This accolade underscored the collaborative strength of the series, complementing her individual Emmy and Critics' Choice achievements.

Olivier and theatre awards

Hannah Waddingham has received three nominations for the Award for Best Actress in a Musical, recognizing her standout performances in West End productions. In 2007, she was nominated for her portrayal of the in the musical at the Palace Theatre, where her comedic and vocal prowess drew critical acclaim for elevating the show's satirical elements. She earned her second nomination in 2010 for playing Désirée Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim's , originating the role at the before transferring to the , with reviewers praising her sophisticated interpretation of the glamorous actress navigating romantic entanglements. Waddingham's third Olivier nomination came in 2013 for her as Lilli Vanessi/Katharina in the classic at and , where she was lauded for her commanding stage presence and dynamic chemistry in the . She also won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical in 2012 for her role as the in at the London Palladium. Beyond nominations, Waddingham has made a significant impact as host of the Olivier Awards, emceeing the ceremony in 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall and returning in 2024, where her engaging performances, including opening numbers like "," were hailed as a smash hit that revitalized the event's energy and drew widespread praise for blending her expertise with charismatic presentation.

Other awards

In addition to her Emmy and theatre accolades, Waddingham earned a for the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role on Television for her portrayal of Rebecca Welton in at the 79th ceremony in 2022. She received another in the same category at the in 2024. She was recognized as the Entertainer Honouree at the Glamour UK Women of the Year Awards in 2023 for her significant contributions to entertainment. For her co-hosting of the , Waddingham was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Entertainment Performance (2024) and won the RTS Television Award for Entertainment Performance (2024). Waddingham's 2023 holiday special Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas received no major personal awards but earned praise from critics, including The Independent's description of her as the "new Queen of Christmas" for its festive performances and production. The special was nominated for a BAFTA Television Award in the Entertainment Programme category. For her supporting role as producer Gail Meyer in the 2024 action-comedy , Waddingham received no individual honors, though the film was nominated for Best Action/Adventure Film at the 52nd in 2025.

References

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