Hannah Waddingham Explained: More Than Just Rebecca Welton
Discover the incredible career of Hannah Waddingham. From her Olivier-nominated stage roles to *Game of Thrones*, she was a star long before *Ted Lasso*.
Chloe Davies
A pop culture analyst and theatre enthusiast with a passion for celebrating talent.
If you’ve watched television in the last few years, you know Hannah Waddingham. As the formidable, biscuit-loving AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso, she strutted into our lives, won an Emmy, and became a global icon. Her on-screen journey from vengeful ex-wife to a fiercely loyal leader and friend was one of the show’s most compelling arcs.
But to think of Hannah Waddingham as just Rebecca Welton is to see only the tip of a glorious, multi-talented iceberg. Before she was a household name, Waddingham was a titan of the London stage, a memorable character actress in massive TV franchises, and a vocal powerhouse with a four-octave range that could shake a theatre to its foundations.
So, let’s pull back the curtain on the incredible career of Hannah Waddingham. It’s a story of perseverance, immense talent, and finally, the worldwide recognition she has long deserved.
The Queen of the Stage
Long before Hollywood came calling, Hannah Waddingham was theatrical royalty. Raised in a family of opera singers, the stage was her natural home. After graduating from the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, she quickly established herself as one of the most commanding presences in London's West End and on Broadway.
Her list of credits is staggering, but a few roles cemented her legendary status:
Lady of the Lake in Spamalot
This was arguably her signature stage role. In the Monty Python musical Spamalot, Waddingham was a force of nature. Her performance as the diva-esque Lady of the Lake was not only hilarious but showcased her incredible vocal prowess. She earned an Olivier Award nomination for the role in the West End and later reprised it on Broadway, proving her star power on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Witch in Into the Woods
Playing the Witch in Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece is a bucket-list role for any musical theatre performer. Waddingham’s take at London's Open Air Theatre was iconic. She brought a captivating mix of menace, pathos, and raw vocal power to the complex character, earning yet another Olivier nomination for her unforgettable performance.
These roles, among many others like Desirée in A Little Night Music and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, defined her as a leading lady of the highest caliber. She was a star in the world of theatre, known for her unmatched stage presence and a voice that could handle anything thrown at it. But a different kind of global audience was about to meet her, albeit without seeing her face clearly.
Breaking Through on Screen, One Memorable Role at a Time
While dominating the stage, Waddingham was also consistently working in film and television. She became a go-to actress for characters who make a huge impact, even with limited screen time. And if you’re a fan of prestige TV, you’ve almost certainly seen her before Ted Lasso.
Remember the stern, silent nun in Game of Thrones who followed Cersei Lannister through the streets of King's Landing, ringing a bell and chanting, "Shame! Shame! Shame!"?
Yes, that was Hannah Waddingham.
As Septa Unella, she was terrifying, stoic, and utterly unforgettable. It’s a role so physically and emotionally different from Rebecca Welton that it’s a testament to her transformative ability as an actress. She later revealed the intensity of filming those scenes, including being waterboarded for ten hours, which speaks to her incredible commitment to her craft.
"I was a West End and Broadway leading lady for 22 years... Then the universe decided to give me a shot on screen. You may have seen me as the Shame Nun in Game of Thrones, or in Sex Education... But Ted Lasso is the one that has made my daughter see that mummy is a tangible success."
Before Lasso, she also had a significant role in Netflix’s Sex Education as Sofia Marchetti, the overbearing mother of swimming champion Jackson. She played one of two mothers in a same-sex couple, bringing a sharp, intimidating energy that was miles away from the warmth she would later show as Rebecca.
Her resume also includes roles in the Syfy series Krypton, the British sitcom Benidorm, and even a small part in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables. Each role was a stepping stone, building a foundation of on-screen experience that prepared her for the moment everything would change.
The Ted Lasso Phenomenon
Then came Rebecca Welton. When Ted Lasso premiered in 2020, it was the perfect show for a world in need of kindness. And at its heart was Waddingham’s Rebecca. Introduced as an antagonist seeking to destroy the football club to spite her cheating ex-husband, she could have easily been a one-dimensional villain.
Instead, over three seasons, Waddingham gave us a masterclass in character development. She peeled back Rebecca’s layers to reveal a woman who was vulnerable, fiercely intelligent, deeply loyal, and hilariously funny. Her evolving friendships, particularly her platonic bond with Ted and her beautiful sisterhood with Keeley (Juno Temple), became the emotional core of the series.
The role allowed her to use every tool in her arsenal: her dramatic weight, her impeccable comedic timing, and yes, even that incredible voice (who can forget her show-stopping rendition of "Let It Go"?). The world finally saw what theatre audiences had known for years. The result was a cascade of awards, including a Primetime Emmy, a Critics' Choice Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
A New Era of Stardom
Ted Lasso didn't just give Hannah Waddingham a great role; it made her a global superstar. And she has embraced her new platform with infectious joy and charisma.
In 2023, she took the world by storm as a co-host of the Eurovision Song Contest. Fluent in French and with effortless charm, she was a natural. She was funny, warm, and completely in her element, earning rave reviews and calls for her to host everything, forever.
She then beautifully brought her two worlds together with her own Apple TV+ holiday special, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas. Filmed at the London Coliseum, it was a dazzling celebration of her musical roots, featuring guest stars from her theatre and Ted Lasso families. It was a perfect full-circle moment, re-introducing her incredible vocal talent to a massive new audience.
With high-profile roles in films like The Fall Guy and the upcoming Mission: Impossible movie, her star is only continuing to rise.
More Than an 'Overnight Success'
Hannah Waddingham’s career is a powerful lesson in perseverance. She is the ultimate proof that there is no such thing as an overnight success. For over two decades, she honed her craft on the most demanding stages in the world, consistently delivering powerhouse performances.
Rebecca Welton was the role of a lifetime that rightfully made her a household name. But it wasn’t the beginning of her story. It was the moment the rest of the world finally caught up to the magic that Hannah Waddingham has been making all along.