Hannah Waddingham bio, height, age, young, daughter, husband, career path 2025

Hannah Waddingham Biography

Hannah Waddingham was destined for an artistic career from an early age. Though not on the silver screen, but on stage, and initially, the actress followed the path laid out by previous generations of her family. She devoted two decades to theater, performing at premier London venues and on Broadway, earning three Laurence Olivier Award nominations.

However, everything changed with the birth of her long-awaited daughter. While still pregnant, she was cast in the cult series "Game of Thrones" in 2015. Her portrayal of Septa Unella made her a recognizable television star, and her role in the series "Ted Lasso" in 2020 solidified this status. Critics and viewers alike admired her character in the series, earning Waddingham an Emmy and a nomination for the Golden Globe. Above all, she treasured how her work in television allowed her to always be home in time to tuck her daughter into bed.

Early Years

Hannah Waddingham was born on July 28, 1974, in London. Her family had a direct connection to the arts. Hannah's mother, Melody Kelly, was an opera singer, as were her ancestors.

When Hannah was eight, her mother was invited to join the English National Opera troupe. As a result, Hannah's childhood unfolded backstage at the theater. It's no surprise that she, too, dreamed of performing on stage.

Upon finishing school, Waddingham enrolled in the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts. Her innate talent and diligent work allowed her to master a vocal range spanning four octaves.

Theatrical Career

Hannah made her theater debut in 2002, although her initial experience could hardly be described as successful. She landed a role in the interactive production "Johnny and Gina's Wedding" at Dinner Theatre. Critics immediately slammed the premiere, describing her as having the "dreadful grace of an overgrown Barbie" - a harsh label they pinned on the six-foot-tall Waddingham.

But Hannah didn't let the harsh reviews stop her. In the same year, 2002, she began performing both in London's West End and on Broadway in New York. Four years later, the actress earned universal praise playing the Lady of the Lake in "Spamalot." For her portrayal in this production, Waddingham was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award in 2007.

Hannah scored another hit with "A Little Night Music," earning critical acclaim in 2009. A year later, she was again nominated for an Olivier Award for her role in this play.

Hannah Waddingham in A Little Night Music

In 2010, Waddingham dazzled audiences in an outdoor London production of "Into the Woods." A year later, she played the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz" at the Palladium, delivering the show's most challenging solo numbers. She was awarded the Theatergoers Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

Hannah received her third Laurence Olivier Award nomination in 2013, for her role in the musical "Kiss Me, Kate." After this, Waddingham began stepping back from theater as film opportunities started calling.

Film Career

While still doing theater, the actress had been pursuing film and TV roles. But substantial, memorable roles remained elusive. In 2005, she made a brief appearance in the series "Footballers' Wives," and five years later, she appeared in episodes of "Agatha Christie's Miss Marple."

Hannah Waddingham in the series Agatha Christie's Miss Marple

She struck gold landing a role in the 2012 film adaptation of "Les Misérables", where the main characters were played by Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway. Despite her powerhouse vocals, Hannah took on a small but memorable role as a factory worker.

Her career breakthrough came in 2015 when she joined the cast of "Game of Thrones" for its fifth season. Waddingham landed the complex role of the harsh Septa Unella, the stern religious figure who forced the naked Queen Cersei through her infamous "walk of shame." At the time of casting, Hannah was in her final months of pregnancy and never expected to land the role.

Filming became a real challenge for the actress. According to the storyline, when Cersei regained power, she took brutal revenge on the nun, which meant Hannah had to endure grueling torture scenes. The scene where she was strapped to a table and had water poured over her head was especially difficult. But Waddingham rose to every challenge with remarkable skill.

Game of Thrones: Lena Headey and Hannah Waddingham

During filming, she formed a close friendship with Lena Headey, who played Cersei. Waddingham admired Headey's courage—she had to film nude scenes for two days straight—while Lena tactfully avoided discussing the torture sequences: "We never talked about it because we both found the experience quite traumatic."

Following her "Game of Thrones" success, producers and directors finally sat up and took notice of Hannah. In 2018, she landed roles in the series "Krypton" and the action film "The Dark Mile." A year later, she appeared in the crime comedy "The Hustle" and the hit series "Sex Ed."

2020 proved to be an even bigger career breakthrough. That's when "Ted Lasso" premiered its first season. Waddingham landed the lead role of Rebecca Welton, owner of a football club. She inherited the club in her divorce, and her character hired a coach who knew nothing about European football—purely to spite her ex-husband.

Surprisingly, Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, not only helped the team climb the league standings but also brought out the best in everyone around him, including Rebecca. Hannah's character underwent a remarkable transformation, evolving from a bitter ex-wife into a warm, hopeful woman ready to embrace the future.

The series earned critical acclaim and audience love, securing renewals for additional seasons. The show catapulted Hannah into A-list status. In 2021, she swept up a mountain of awards, from the Critics' Choice Television Award to the Emmy. In addition, Waddingham was nominated for a Golden Globe. A year later, she added a Screen Actors Guild statuette to her growing collection.

In 2022, the actress starred in the movie "Hocus Pocus 2," joining Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Hannah Waddingham's Personal Life

Hannah has always been quite private, keeping her personal life out of the spotlight. However, in 2012, news broke of her romance with Italian entrepreneur and hotel chain owner Gianluca Cugnetto. The actress dreamed of having a child with her partner, but struggled with infertility for several years.

In 2016, Waddingham finally gave birth to a daughter named Kitty. Their daughter was diagnosed with a congenital condition called hemorrhagic vasculitis, which causes inflammation and bleeding in blood vessels throughout the skin and internal organs. Fortunately, with proper treatment, they were able to manage the condition successfully.

Hannah keeps the details of her current relationship with Cugnetto a secret. In some interviews, she's described herself as a single mother, fueling speculation about whether she and Cugnetto are still together.

'Ted Lasso' Star Hannah Waddingham's Nighttime Skincare Routine

Hannah Waddingham Now

The third season of "Ted Lasso" aired in the spring of 2023. Waddingham returned to the role of Rebecca. Her slate is packed with projects lined up for years to come. She's set to appear in the period drama "Tom Jones," action flick "Stuntmen," the animated "Garfield" movie, and "Mission Impossible 8."

Hannah has no plans to return to the theater, primarily because of her daughter:

The biggest gift that Ted Lasso gave me is that it shoots 40 minutes from my home. I'm a theater person to my core, but I want to be able to put my little girl to bed at night.

Interesting Facts

Hannah is passionate about yoga and even completed courses, obtaining a license as an instructor. The actress is convinced that it is asanas and meditations that keep her mental health in order.
From her "Game of Thrones" days, Waddingham kept the shame bell as a souvenir - the very one she rang while leading Lena Headey's character through the streets.
The actress has a cherished dream - to get the main role in a musical film. She also hopes to perform on-screen together with Viola Davis.