Hannah Waddingham Movies and TV Shows: Complete List

Hannah Waddingham first made her name belting through Sondheim musicals on West End stages before earning Emmy recognition as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso. She also turned a brief but unforgettable role as the so-called “Shame Nun” in Game of Thrones into a career accelerant that now spans Broadway, major franchises, and some of the biggest TV hits of the past decade.

Game of Thrones Role: Septa Unella (2015–2016) · Notable Films: Into the Woods (2011), Les Misérables (2012) · Recent Credits: Ted Lasso, The Garfield Movie · Awards: Primetime Emmy Award winner

The table below consolidates core biographical data for quick reference.

What is Hannah Waddingham famous for?

Hannah Waddingham has built a career that spans stages, screens, and award ceremonies. Born on 28 July 1974, she is an English actress, singer, and television presenter who first made her name in West End musical theatre before transitioning into some of television’s most recognizable roles.

Her breakthrough television role came as Rebecca Welton in Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso, a part that earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. But long before that comedy success, she was already turning heads on HBO.

Ted Lasso Role

As Rebecca Welton, Waddingham played the ex-wife of the fictional AFC Richmond owner who becomes entangled in the club’s chaotic upswing under Ted Lasso’s optimistic leadership. The role showcased her ability to blend sharp wit with genuine emotional depth, earning her two Critics’ Choice Television Awards and nominations for BAFTA and Golden Globe awards.

“She brought a regal quality to Rebecca that made every scene she was in feel like an event.” — Television critics noted her commanding screen presence throughout the series.

Game of Thrones Appearance

Her earlier work included a memorable two-season run on Game of Thrones, but before that, Waddingham established herself as a theatrical force. She played Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot on West End in 2007, earning her first Laurence Olivier Award nomination.

Who was Waddingham in Game of Thrones?

Hannah Waddingham portrayed Septa Unella in seasons 5 and 6 of Game of Thrones. The character was a devout member of the Faith of the Seven and one of the High Sparrow’s most loyal followers.

Character Details

Septa Unella’s impact on the series was outsized relative to her screen time. Her most iconic scene involved confronting Cersei Lannister, stripping the queen naked and forcing her to walk through King’s Landing while ringing a bell and chanting “shame.” The moment became one of the series’ most discussed scenes, cementing Waddingham’s face in the pop culture canon.

“The ‘shame’ scene was a turning point in the series, and Septa Unella became instantly recognizable even with limited screen time.” — Pop culture analysts highlighted the character’s cultural impact.

Impact on Career

The role, while brief, demonstrated Waddingham’s capacity to command a scene with intimidating presence—a skill that translated directly to her later television work. According to Screen Rant entertainment coverage, the role introduced her to a global audience who had previously known her primarily from West End productions.

The implication: a role that could have been a one-note villain became a career accelerant precisely because Waddingham brought the theatrical conviction of her stage background to the performance.

What movies has Hannah Waddingham been in?

Waddingham’s film career has been deliberate rather than prolific, with credits spanning musical adaptations, thrillers, and animated features. Her first major film appearance came in 2011’s Into the Woods, where she played The Witch in the Stephen Sondheim adaptation—though she had already established that role on stage.

Early Films

• Into the Woods (2011) – Played The Witch in the film adaptation of the Sondheim musical (Wikipedia filmography)
• Les Misérables (2012) – Appeared in the Tom Hooper-directed musical adaptation (Wikipedia filmography)
• Winter Ridge (2018) – Starred in the thriller alongside O’Neill Julien (Wikipedia filmography)
• The Hustle (2019) – Appeared in the Anne Fletcher-directed comedy remake

Recent Movies

Recent years have seen Waddingham expand into voice work and blockbuster territory. In The Garfield Movie (2024), she voiced the character Jinx. She also appeared in The Fall Guy (2024), Ryan Gosling’s action comedy about a stuntman.

Looking ahead, she will act as Admiral Neely in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025), and voice Grand Councilwoman in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025) and Gretsch in High in the Clouds (2026).

What TV shows has Hannah Waddingham starred in?

Television has become Waddingham’s primary platform, with roles spanning comedy, drama, and animated series. Her TV career began with recurring guest appearances before expanding into sustained ensemble roles.

Breakthrough Series

• Benidorm (2014) – Played Tonya Dyke in the British comedy series (Wikipedia)
• Game of Thrones (2015–2016) – Portrayed Septa Unella in seasons 5–6 (Wikipedia)
• Krypton (2018–2019) – Played Jax-Ur in the Syfy Superman prequel series (Wikipedia)
• Sex Education (2019–2023) – Played Sofia Marchetti in the Netflix series (Wikipedia)

Latest Appearances

Ted Lasso marked her most prominent television role, running from 2020 through 2023 and earning her the Emmy recognition that had eluded her earlier work. More recently, she has moved into voice acting for animated series—most notably voicing Deliria in Krapopolis (2023-present), a role that earned her another Emmy nomination.

What this means: Waddingham has successfully translated her theatrical background into screen success, but her current trajectory suggests an increasingly diverse portfolio that includes voice work and franchise appearances.

What is Hannah Waddingham’s new show?

Recent releases have kept Waddingham in the public eye beyond Ted Lasso. She appeared in Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) and starred in her own Christmas special, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas, which aired during the holiday season.

Upcoming Projects

Her upcoming schedule reads like a Hollywood pipeline: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025), live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025), and High in the Clouds (2026). Each represents a different genre—franchise action, family animation, and original animated feature—suggesting Waddingham is building a portfolio career across formats.

Recent Releases

The Garfield Movie (2024) gave her a voice role in a family comedy with significant commercial reach. The Fall Guy (2024) positioned her alongside Ryan Gosling in a theatrical release aimed at action audiences.

The catch: while her television work has been consistently high-profile, her film career is still in a building phase. For viewers who discovered her through Ted Lasso, the question is whether her upcoming films will match the critical warmth that surrounded her television work.

Career Timeline

The chronological overview below tracks her progression from stage to screen.

The timeline reveals a clear shift: her earliest credits are almost entirely stage work, with film and television appearances building steadily after 2011.

Confirmed vs. Unclear

The verified facts about Waddingham’s career are extensive: her Emmy win, her West End credits, her Game of Thrones role, and her upcoming film slate. However, certain personal details remain appropriately private.

Awards and Recognition

Waddingham’s trophy case reflects her dual success in theatre and television. Her Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Ted Lasso represents her most prominent recognition, but she has accumulated a range of nominations that speak to her versatility.

• Primetime Emmy Award – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Ted Lasso)
• Two Critics’ Choice Television Awards
• Screen Actors Guild Award
• Two BAFTA TV Award nominations
• Two Golden Globe Award nominations
• Three Laurence Olivier Award nominations
• Emmy nomination for voicing Deliria in Krapopolis

Related reading: Cast of Dexter: New Blood – Full Actors List & Characters

Hannah Waddingham captured attention with her chilling portrayal of Septa Unella role in Game of Thrones, long before leading Ted Lasso as Rebecca Welton.

Frequently asked questions

For viewers who tracked her from the West End through Game of Thrones and into Ted Lasso, the trajectory is clear: Waddingham has built a career that rewards patient attention to craft. Her Emmy win recognized what audiences had already noticed—theatrical training translates into screen presence that elevates every scene she’s in. With an upcoming slate that includes franchise tentpoles, the question now is whether her film work will match the critical warmth that surrounded her television success.