Hannah Waddingham: A Journey from West End Stages to Global Screen Success
From the prestigious boards of London's West End to the heights of Hollywood stardom, Hannah Waddingham has established herself as one of the most versatile performers of her generation. With a career spanning musical theatre, critically acclaimed television series, and major motion pictures, she seamlessly blends powerful vocal talent with a commanding screen presence.
Key Facts
- Award-Winning Performance: Won a Primetime Emmy and Critics' Choice Television Award for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso.
- Theatre Pedigree: Received multiple Olivier Award nominations for her work in Spamalot and A Little Night Music.
- Iconic Roles: Portrayed Septa Unella in Game of Thrones and the Wicked Witch of the West in the West End production of The Wizard of Oz.
- Diverse Range: Transitioned from sitcoms like Coupling to high-octane action films like The Fall Guy and Mission: Impossible.
A Foundation in Musical Theatre
Waddingham's professional journey began on the stage, where she quickly became a staple of both London's West End and New York's Broadway. She made her West End debut in 1998 with Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens at The Queens Theatre. By 2000, she was starring in Lautrec and originating the role of Christine Warner in The Beautiful Game, a production by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton that ran for a year at the Cambridge Theatre.
Her versatility was further showcased through roles such as Starbird in Space Family Robinson (2002) and Satan in the Rod Stewart musical Tonight's the Night (2003). However, it was her portrayal of the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot—performed in both London and on Broadway—that earned her an Olivier Award nomination, one of the highest honors in British theatre.
Waddingham continued to receive critical acclaim for her role as Desirée Armfeldt in Trevor Nunn's revival of A Little Night Music, leading to another Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in 2010. That same year, she played the Witch in Into the Woods at London's Open Air Theatre.
The Wizard of Oz and Beyond
On March 1, 2011, Waddingham originated the role of The Wicked Witch of the West at the London Palladium. During this run, she was the first performer to sing the Lloyd Webber and Rice composition "Red Shoes Blues." Her performance earned her the whatsonstage.com Theatergoers Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She later starred in the 2012 revival of Kiss Me, Kate at the Chichester Festival Theatre, which subsequently transferred to the Old Vic Theatre.
Transition to the Screen
Waddingham's screen career began in 2002 with an appearance in the sitcom Coupling, followed by a recurring role in the soap opera Brookside. Over the next decade, she appeared in various series including William and Mary, Footballers' Wives, and Hollyoaks: Let Loose. In 2009, she took on the role of Lola Brewster in the Agatha Christie adaptation Marple: "The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side".
Her filmography expanded with a small role in the 2012 film Les Misérables and a guest appearance as Tonya in the ITV comedy Benidorm in 2014.
Breakthrough Global Roles
Waddingham gained international recognition for her role as Septa Unella, the "Shame Nun," in seasons 5 and 6 of Game of Thrones. Demonstrating her commitment to authenticity, she underwent actual waterboarding during filming. She also appeared in the Netflix series Sex Education as Sophia Marchetti, the mother of the character Jackson.
Her most prominent television role came in 2020 as Rebecca Welton, the owner of AFC Richmond in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso. Waddingham performed her own vocals in several episodes, including "Make Rebecca Great Again" and "Carol of the Bells." This performance earned her both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Critics' Choice Television Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
In recent years, Waddingham has expanded into major film franchises and hosting. She played Mother Witch in Disney's Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) and Lady Bellaston in the ITV drama Tom Jones. In May 2023, she co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. However, she notably withdrew from hosting the Fantasy, Myths and Legends Prom in August 2023 to show solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Her recent film work includes the villainous producer Gail in The Fall Guy (2024) and the voice of Jinx in The Garfield Movie (2024). Looking toward 2025 and beyond, she appears as Admiral Neely in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Heidi Heatherley in The Woman in Cabin 10, and provides voices for the live-action Lilo and Stitch and the animated Smurfs.
Upcoming projects include the 2026 Prime Video series Ride or Die alongside Octavia Spencer, and 2027 releases including the animated musical High in the Clouds and the action-comedy Jason Statham Stole My Bike.
Career Summary
| Category | Notable Project | Role/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Theatre | Spamalot / A Little Night Music | Olivier Award Nominations |
| Theatre | The Wizard of Oz | Whatsonstage.com Choice Award |
| Television | Ted Lasso | Primetime Emmy Award |
| Television | Game of Thrones | Septa Unella |
| Film | The Fall Guy | Gail |
| Film | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | Admiral Neely |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which role won Hannah Waddingham an Emmy Award?
Hannah Waddingham won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso.
Did Hannah Waddingham do her own singing in Ted Lasso?
Yes, she performed her own vocals in the season one episode "Make Rebecca Great Again" and the season two episodes "Carol of the Bells" and "No Weddings and a Funeral."
What was her role in Game of Thrones?
She played Septa Unella, known as the "Shame Nun," appearing in seasons 5 and 6 of the series.
Has she performed on Broadway?
Yes, Waddingham performed on Broadway in the production of Spamalot, where she played the Lady of the Lake.
What upcoming films is she involved in?
Her upcoming projects include Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, The Woman in Cabin 10, High in the Clouds (2027), and Jason Statham Stole My Bike (2027).