Hannah Waddingham was a guest on Ellen this week. I know her from Ted Lasso, the third season of which is about to film and will air this fall. Hannah was asked if it’s true that this will be the final season of Ted Lasso. She said she hoped not and that she’s willing to do it until her character, Rebecca Welton, is old and gray. She was also so gracious about the success and accolades she’s won for the role, saying that she’s a theater person and never dreamed of getting this much recognition. Hannah was promoting her Super Bowl commercial for Rakuten in which she plays a Bond-type villain at a high stakes poker table, complete with a hairless cat. Here’s some of what she told Ellen:
On the awards she’s won and is nominated for
I know so many brilliant actors who’ve never even been acknowledged. To have won the Critics Choice and the Emmy last year and to be nominated this year, it’s more than I ever dreamt of in my entire life. I’m a hoofer and a theater girl. If nothing ever happens to me the rest of my work-wise it’s all just utter sugar on top of the cake. I wouldn’t want to be any other way [except gracious]. You go hunting for it, it’s not the right vibe to put out.On this being the last season of Ted Lasso
I’d quite like to do it until Rebecca Welton is walking on a frame [walker] and can’t fit into her pencil skirts.
That’s so nice! It’s also an attitude that a lot of celebrities lack. You can tell that Hannah is genuinely grateful for her success and I’m more of a fan than I was before. Ellen also played a “Who’d You Rather” game with Hannah and she had a hard time picking between Bradley Cooper and Channing Tatum saying “can’t it be a Waddingham sandwich?” She’s hilarious. I won’t spoil her final choice in case you want to watch it but you can tell she doesn’t follow celebrity gossip like we do.
Ted Lasso may be wrapping up but you know we’ll get a spinoff or two. Coach Beard is a prime candidate for one, but I’d prefer to watch one with Rebecca. Ooh how about a show starring Sam Obisanya and heavily featuring Rebecca? I’m trying not to reveal spoilers but those of you who watch it know what I mean.
Here’s that interview!
Omg how I love her. That is all. I. Love. Hannah badazzbitch Waddingham!!
Even her name is fun to say just love her
Right there with ya! She seems like a really cool lady. I definitely wouldn’t turn down a (in my dreams) dinner party invitation from her because you just know the wine & laughter would be flowing all night.
Every outfit she wears in Ted Lasso, I want in my wardrobe! Fabulous. Ted Lasso is one of the few shows out there with equally well developed and multi-dimensional male and female characters.
I love her. When I was quarantining with COVID last month I caught up on the last season of Midsomer Murders and she’s in an episode and she was just SO GOOD. Here, she comes across as gracious and lovely. Its just nice when you see success happen to people who seem to be good. it’s kind of the appeal of Ted Lasso, right? Kindness wins. (well we hope after season 2.)
Hannah also had a great role in Game Of Thrones as the nun who threw ladles of water on Cersei while she was imprisoned in the Sept basement. Hannah was the one who hissed ‘repent!!’ Over and over. A small part but so memorable!!!
@Mrs. Smith—WHAAATTTT?! THE SHAME BELL RINGER! I just hurried to text the rest of my family, all of whom are avid Lasso and GOT viewers that Rebecca is the SHAME Bell ringer! A Google search just revealed that she got to keep the actual bell. Now that I think of it, Celebitchy, Kaiser, and Hecate need a Shame Bell. There could definitely be a Shame Hall of Fame.
Yup, she played Septa Unella. Shame (ringa ding ding), Shame (ringa ding ding), Shame (ringa ding ding). There was actually a shame bell app. I still have it on my phone. 🙂
Yup she was so good in that! So chillingly creepy, lol.
Ah she’s on Midsomer Murders? My favourite worlds collide! Must go find the episode …
It’s from the most recent season! or at least the most recent I can get on BritBox. “The Stitcher Society”
I want it to wrap up in 3 seasons as planned. Mostly bc I hate it when shows go on too long. But if they could do it well…then yeah. Maybe yearly holiday specials or something?
I think she was kind of a big deal in British musical theater before this but this is definitely her first big mainstream hit and GOD BLESS Ted Lasso for bringing this woman who schools Michael Buble at his own Christmas special into our lives.
That is a VERY specific reference but was also my favorite thing about my run-up to this Christmas, which was bleak.
Thanks for mentioning that Christmas special. I didn’t know about it so went and had a look… Wow! Schooled him indeed 🤣
THANK YOU! I know.
I can’t wait to see her as my favourite and the best royal, Princess Anne.
She’s amazing! I’d invade France with her
We just rewatched that episode last night! I love Keeley and Rebecca. I want to be their friend, too.
She’s indeed amazing. I’m French and I would open every door for you guys
How lucky for the British musical theater world to have had this goddess in their midst the entire time! I love Ted Lasso the show and Rebecca the character and am so happy that Hannah herself doesn’t disappoint. Love her!
Just based on that commercial, I’d love to see Hannah play a real villain with a bit of camp!
It feels to me like 3 seasons is probably the right number for this show, just based on the first two seasons, but Jason Sudeikis is getting $12m for Season 3 which is a lot, and this is probably a great gig for everyone else involved too so it would be hard for them to turn down Season 4 if Apple wants them to do it. Potentially not advisable for them to do it, but hard to turn down.
If the Broccoli’s don’t hire her to be a Bond villain they are fools. FOOLS I SAY!
Yes!!!!! The Shame Bell! She is a treasure and would be so good as a Bond villain!
Isn’t she in sex ed as well? If not, it’s someone who looks just like her to me. She’s great in that, too.
Why does she have an orange face?
I adore Hannah! She seems to thread a tricky needle of being graciously grateful for her success, while also reveling in it. On Instagram, she’s always so supportive and encouraging, especially of her Ted Lasso castmates. I look forward to being her fan for a long, long time.
It’ll be interesting to see if Ted Lasso goes beyond 3 seasons, or who gets spun off. I wish them the best, but Ted & Rebecca & Roy & Keeley are my main faves; since all 4 of those actors are in high demand, I doubt they’d be the focus. But, Apple TV sure does have a lot of money…..