Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham Opens Up About How Her Game Of Thrones Role Helped Her Land The Apple TV+ Show

Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham Opens Up About How Her Game Of Thrones Role Helped Her Land The Apple TV+ Show

As a gamer with a penchant for binge-watching, I must confess that Hannah Waddingham has left quite an indelible mark on my TV screen time. From her unforgettable portrayal of Septa Unella in Game of Thrones to her captivating performance as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso, the actress has proven herself to be a versatile powerhouse in the world of television.


As a gaming enthusiast, I’d confidently wager that when I mention Hannah Waddingham, many minds would instantly picture Rebecca Welton from Ted Lasso. Yet, prior to gracing one of Apple TV+’s finest shows with her presence, she was renowned for her significant, albeit brief, role in the Game of Thrones cast as Septa Unella. Now, these two realms are merging, as the actress herself revealed that the creators of the fantasy series aided her in securing the position as AFC Richmond’s owner.

During her audition for the Ted Lasso cast, Waddingham received assistance from her former supervisors. Although she appeared in just eight Game of Thrones episodes, her character, often referred to as the “shame nun,” left a lasting impression and was part of a significant moment in the show’s legacy. As a result, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, co-creators of the fantasy series, endorsed her during negotiations for the Apple TV+ comedy. In an interview with Today, she shared:

It was almost like them allowing me in made everyone else prick up a bit.

The actress disclosed the title of the email from the creator of “Game of Thrones” and explained that he encouraged her to enjoy herself, improvise, and fully immerse in the realm of humor. In her own words:

I managed to persuade David Benioff and Dan Weiss to compose an email to the relevant authorities. The title read, ‘Is there any need for this conversation?’ It was a heartfelt, understated, sincere plea for, ‘Grant her the opportunity to perform.’

Looking back, it’s just as obvious as anything else that their argument was spot-on. It seems there is no other actress who could have embodied Rebecca as perfectly as Phoebe Waddingham did on the series. Even Jason Sudeikis, the star of Ted Lasso himself, recognized her talent right away, as she shared, he told her straight away that she was the ideal choice for the role.

I saw Rebecca first. And then I had to get to know Hannah.

Instead, let’s express our gratitude to Benioff and Weiss for initially casting her, which, in turn, caught everyone’s attention and highlighted Waddingham more prominently.

Although filming for Game of Thrones wasn’t a walk in the park – she described it as an incredibly intense production – it led to her developing “chronic claustrophobia.” Despite the challenges, Waddingham holds fond memories of her time on the series, and her superiors seemed to appreciate her work as well.

News is buzzing that even more fans have grown fonder of Waddingham due to her remarkable performance in Ted Lasso, and get this: There’s a strong possibility she may reprise her role for a potential fourth season! It’s being suggested that Hannah Waddingham, along with Brett Goldstein and Jeremy Swift, are in discussions to return as their original characters. Moreover, whispers abound that Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, and Juno Temple might make a comeback to their roles as Ted, Coach Beard, and Keeley respectively.

Looking forward to possibly seeing Hannah Waddingham reprise her iconic role again! Until then, I’ll be enjoying Ted Lasso on Apple TV+ and marveling at the remarkable skills that the creators of Game of Thrones highlighted for her potential future employers.

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2024-08-28 04:39