When Apple came out with its streaming service, doubts were encircling about how it could square up to the tough competition posed by the likes of Netflix and Prime Video. It was engaged in a literal race for survival. But it had a few aces up it’s sleeve – Ted Lasso was one of them. The story about an American soccer team embarking on a path to success would go on to find many buyers after all. And one of them is none other than a star on the show, Hannah Wadingham.
Hannah Waddingham found being a part of Ted Lasso a cathartic experience
For Hannah Waddingham being a part of the show was nothing short of a shock. She has been a part of the show for three seasons. But she still finds the feeling a little surreal. Sharing how the experience has been in an interview with Sunday Sitdown, she said that playing the role was indeed a ‘cathartic’ experience.
The role was not the most usual for her. This would be the first time that she would be essaying a role in a sports drama, let alone the fact that it was the role of a divorced woman who was hellbent on destroying the club that her former husband loved. But she came around (and so did her character).
And the journey was nothing short of beautiful.
Hannah Waddingham had some help
Looking back at how the journey has gone, she couldn’t help but recall how it all started. The British actress had already made a name for herself over the years, starring in a host of remarkable roles. But there was one which would open up her path for her role in Ted Lasso – playing Septa Unella in Game of Thrones.
As fate would have it, Waddingham’s performance had left GoT creators in awe of her. She said in the interview,
“I got David Benioff and Dan Weiss to write an email to the powers that be. The subject was, ‘What are we even discussing here?’ It was such a beautiful, quiet, genuine endorsement of, ‘Let the girl play.'” (Sunday Sitdown)
The favor did prick a few people up, but that’s all in the past now.
Hannah Waddingham knew the show was a hit the moment she watched it
The show was an instant hit. Being one of the most nominated freshman comedies in the history of the Emmy awards is no joke after all. The fans loved it, making it the most-watched streaming original series in 2023. But it would take Hannah Waddingham some time to realise how good a project had she been associated with. She almost gave up after filming season one. But everything changed once she saw the show.
On the success of the series, she said,
“You’ve got the alchemy of the greatest casting with other people that were pretty much unknown,” she said. “And then a writers’ room that was awash with female and male feminists. So all of that coming together just produced something that when I watched it, I went, ‘I made a massive hit.'”
The show is indeed. Hannah Waddingham can be one proud star.
