Vlad Bunoan

Article (news)

Hannah Waddingham 

Yong Chavez

ABS-CBN News North America

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786766618029Ted_Lasso_Photo_040106.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Hannah Waddingham in ‘Ted Lasso.’ <em>Apple TV</em></span></span></span></div><p>Since “Ted Lasso” introduced audiences to Hannah Waddingham’s unforgettable Rebecca Welton, the Emmy-winning actress has hardly slowed down. She’s continued to show off the full range of her talents: from singing and dramatic roles to comedy and, now, action, with her new Prime Video series “Ride or Die.” </p><p>But for fans who first fell in love with her impeccable comedic timing, sharp wit, and larger-than-life presence as Rebecca, seeing her return for “Ted Lasso” Season 4 is a particularly welcome reunion.</p><p>The new season finds Rebecca and the show itself in a fascinating place: on the other side of the happily-ever-after. The characters have achieved so much, but the question becomes what comes next. For Waddingham, who has experienced her own remarkable evolution since “Ted Lasso” became a phenomenon, that question has some resonance.</p><p>At a West Hollywood hotel recently, I sat down with Waddingham to talk about Rebecca’s next chapter, the joys of playing her funny and slightly unhinged side again, the show’s celebration of women supporting women, and the real-life woman who has always been her greatest champion.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Q: We’ve always known that you’re this incredible singer and dramatic actress, and now you’re a newly crowned action star on ‘Ride or Die.’ But ‘Ted Lasso’ was the first time for many of us to really see your impeccable comedic timing. When was the first time someone told you that you were funny — or that you realized you could make people laugh?</strong></div><p><strong>Hannah Waddingham: </strong>Well, at school. When I was six, my first ever report - and I don’t think my team know this either — my first ever school report said, “Hannah thinks she can get away with everything with her wit and her Californian beach-girl style.” (Laughs.) And now they’re right. That is literally verbatim. That was what my report said, and I’m like, “Well, they weren’t wrong. It’s true.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>Q: Season 4, to me, feels like ‘Ted Lasso’ exploring life after happily ever after. You’ve scaled the mountain, you’ve won the Emmys. Now what? Did it have a similar feeling for you personally — this sense of, ‘What are we going to do next to continue that, if not top that?’</strong></div><p><strong>Waddingham: </strong>Well, look, I’m very fatalistic about these things. I’ve never had a five-year, eight-year, 10-year, whatever plan ever. I like to always be organic with my work. I’m not fiercely ambitious. I’ve always wanted to tell great stories and play great characters. I don’t believe you get into theater at the age I did at 20 and stay in it for 22 years very happily, not earning any money, not having any fame, but I’ve always wanted to be respected by my peers and have audience members leave the theater and go, “That one, that one moved me.” That’s all I’ve ever wanted.</p><p>So all of this is absolutely the icing on the cake. It’s never been about anything other than that for me. So I find myself in a position where I’m very grateful for all that’s come to me. But as long as I’m playing great parts that move me and move others, then I’m good.</p><div> <span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786766700429Ted_Lasso_Photo_040111.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A scene from ‘Ted Lasso.’ <em>Apple TV</em></span></span></span></div><div><strong>Q: One of the funniest things so far this season is when you flattened yourself against the wall.</strong></div><p><strong>Waddingham:</strong> (Laughs.) Yeah, she’s a bit intimidated by Coach Alice Chilton. I mean, you don’t see Rebecca like that very often. In fact, I have to thank the writers’ room because I did say to them, “Can we get Rebecca’s funny juices going again?” I love the fact that she has a gentle, unhinged nature this season, and she’s unabashedly herself. Even when she goes into the press room and starts gabbling, I love it, and I love the fact that they are moving her into a different space.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Q: And I love that the show talks about, in that very funny, very’ Ted Lasso’ way, women supporting women.<br/></strong></div><p><strong>Waddingham:</strong> “All women, all the time in all places, always.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>Q: Did you have a woman who helped you out like that?<br/></strong></div><p><strong>Waddingham: </strong>My mummy, that I lost a couple of Christmases ago. She was my greatest champion, and would always say, “I don’t know how you do it. I don’t know how you do it all.” And now I hope that my daughter will think that of me, and I’m taking her along for all of it.</p>

<p>Since “Ted Lasso” introduced audiences to Hannah Waddingham’s unforgettable Rebecca Welton, the Emmy-winning actress has hardly slowed down. </p>

Since “Ted Lasso” introduced audiences to Hannah Waddingham’s unforgettable Rebecca Welton, the Emmy-winning actress has hardly slowed down.

Q&A: Hannah Waddingham on ‘Ted Lasso’, Rebecca Welton’s next chapter and life after the Emmys

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Movies & Series

Q&A: Hannah Waddingham on ‘Ted Lasso’, Rebecca Welton’s next chapter and life after the Emmys

Yong Chavez,

ABS-CBN News North America

Published August 15, 2026 12:09 PM PHT

Read More:

Ted Lasso

Apple TV

Hannah Waddingham

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.