The Career of Ted Lasso’s Emmy Star Waddingham
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Hannah Waddingham is a British actress, singer, and television presenter renowned for her versatile performances across stage and screen. Best known for her Emmy-winning role as Rebecca Welton in the acclaimed series "Ted Lasso," Waddingham has also made significant contributions to West End musical theatre and appeared in popular shows like "Game of Thrones" and "Sex Education."
Waddingham's Early Life and Upbringing
en.wikipedia.org
Hannah Waddingham was born on July 28, 1974, in Wandsworth, London, into a family with a strong performing arts background. Her mother, Melodie Kelly, was a member of the English National Opera for 27 years, and both her maternal grandparents were accomplished opera singers.
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Growing up in this musical environment, Waddingham initially resisted following in her family's operatic footsteps, despite her natural talent and impressive four-octave vocal range.2
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She studied at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London, honing her skills as a performer.3
Waddingham's early life and education laid the foundation for her successful career in musical theatre, television, and film.1
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From West End to Broadway: Hannah Waddingham's Musical Theatre Triumphs
officiallondontheatr...
Hannah Waddingham has made significant contributions to musical theatre on both London's West End and New York's Broadway. She portrayed the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, receiving an Olivier Award nomination for the role in both the London production and on Broadway.
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Waddingham also received outstanding reviews and another Olivier nomination for her portrayal of Desirée Armfeldt in Trevor Nunn's revival of A Little Night Music.2
In mid-2010, Waddingham played the Witch in the acclaimed production of Into the Woods at London's Open Air Theatre.2
She originated the role of the Wicked Witch of the West in the West End production of The Wizard of Oz, which opened in 2011 at the London Palladium, and won the WhatsOnStage Theatergoers Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance.2
Other notable stage roles include Christine Warner in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Beautiful Game in 2000, Lilli Vanessi/Katharine in the 2012 revival of Kiss Me, Kate at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Old Vic, and Starbird in Space Family Robinson in 2002.1
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Waddingham's powerhouse performances and impressive vocal range have solidified her status as a leading lady of the West End and Broadway stages, earning her critical acclaim and a devoted following.1
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From Stage to Screen: Hannah Waddingham's Successful Transition to TV and Film
themoviedb.org
After establishing herself as a powerhouse in musical theatre, Hannah Waddingham successfully transitioned to television and film. She had a recurring role as Septa Unella in the fifth and sixth seasons of the HBO series Game of Thrones, where her intense performance as the "Shame Nun" during Cersei Lannister's walk of atonement left a lasting impact, despite the physical and emotional challenges of the role.
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Waddingham also plays the recurring character of Sofia Marchetti, Jackson's mother, in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education.1
However, her breakout television role came as Rebecca Welton, the owner of AFC Richmond, in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso. Her portrayal of the complex and multifaceted character earned her widespread critical acclaim, a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2021, and two consecutive Critics' Choice Television Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2021 and 2022.1
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On the big screen, Waddingham appeared in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables and co-starred in the 2018 British psychological thriller Winter Ridge.1
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She also played Mother Witch in the 2022 Disney+ sequel Hocus Pocus 2.1
Waddingham's upcoming projects include the 2024 action-comedy film The Fall Guy, where she stars alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt as producer Gail Meyer.1
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Waddingham's Iconic Role in Game of Thrones
hollywoodreporter.co...
Hannah Waddingham's portrayal of Septa Unella in "Game of Thrones" is one of her most iconic roles, despite its limited screen time. Known as the "Shame Nun," Unella is infamous for her role in Cersei Lannister's walk of atonement, where she repeatedly chants "Shame" as Cersei is paraded through the streets. Waddingham's commitment to the role was intense, involving physically demanding scenes, including being waterboarded for ten hours, which left her with chronic claustrophobia
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. Her performance, marked by its emotional and physical intensity, contributed significantly to the show's dramatic impact and showcased her dedication to her craft1
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Related
what was it like for Hannah Waddingham to play Septa Unella
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