Why Apple TV Didn't Want To Cast Hannah Waddingham In Ted Lasso
Hannah Waddingham plays Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso, but getting the role wasn't easy. Here's the surprising story behind her casting on the Apple TV hit.
Apple TV initially bypassed British actress Hannah Waddingham for the role of Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso back in 2019. At the time, the streamer sought a major star to portray the powerful owner of AFC Richmond, but Waddingham's star power hadn't yet reached that level. Before Ted Lasso, her most notable TV roles were in Syfy's Krypton and Netflix's Sex Education, alongside her chilling portrayal of Septa Unella in Game of Thrones.
To convince Apple TV, Waddingham enlisted the help of Game of Thrones showrunner D.B. Weiss, who reportedly emailed Weiss: "Why are we even having this conversation?" However, Waddingham herself went into her audition doubting her chances, believing she wouldn't secure the role. The actress candidly admitted she initially thought Apple TV wanted "a big old starry person" rather than her.
It was only after deciding to return to work and support her daughter that Waddingham accepted an audition for Ted Lasso. She had recently had to leave her daughter in Belfast due to a hospitalization and struggled to return to London in time, leading her to change her career trajectory. In a heartfelt interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, Waddingham revealed she asked the universe for something to help her balance both motherhood and her career, responding positively when she was offered the Ted Lasso role.
She later won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance, and her iconic mantra, "Believe," proved to be a blessing for Waddingham and the show alike.
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