There’s a moment in Ted Lasso when Rebecca Welton steps onto the pitch and the whole show shifts. That’s Hannah Waddingham — a performer who can make a power suit feel like armor and a smile feel like a secret.

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Famous for: Rebecca Welton (Ted Lasso), Septa Unella (Game of Thrones) ·
Age (2024): 49 years old ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Major Award: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2023) ·
Children: 1 daughter

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact name of her partner (not publicly disclosed)
  • Marital status: not married, long-term relationship
  • Net worth (estimated but not confirmed by official sources)
3Timeline signal
  • 2002: West End debut in The Beautiful Game
  • 2015–2016: Game of Thrones as Septa Unella
  • 2020–2023: Ted Lasso as Rebecca Welton
  • 2023: Emmy win for Ted Lasso
4What’s next
  • Voice role in Krapopolis (2023–)
  • Film: The Fall Guy (2024), Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)
  • Continuing stage and screen work via CAA representation

From playing a snarling septa in Game of Thrones to winning an Emmy for comedy, her career is a masterclass in range.

Key facts about Hannah Waddingham
Label Value
Full Name Hannah Waddingham
Date of Birth July 28, 1974
Birthplace London, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Occupation Actress, singer
Years Active 2002–present

What is Hannah Waddingham famous for?

She’s the woman who made a billionaire’s ex-wife the emotional core of a comedy, and a religious fanatic the most memorable walk of shame in television history.

What role did Hannah Waddingham play in Ted Lasso?

  • Rebecca Welton, the icy club owner who becomes a reluctant ally. The role earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2023 (Emmys.com official awards record).
  • She also won a Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the same role (IMDb awards database).

What role did she play in Game of Thrones?

  • Septa Unella, a member of the Faith Militant who torments Cersei Lannister. Her “shame” bell-ringing scene in Season 5 and 6 is one of the show’s most iconic moments (IMDb biography filmography database).
  • She appeared in 6 episodes across two seasons.

The pattern: Waddingham doesn’t just play characters — she creates cultural touchstones. A single role on a global hit can define a career, but she has two.

Is Hannah Waddingham Irish?

Short answer: no. But the confusion is understandable given her surname and stage presence.

Where was Hannah Waddingham born?

What is Hannah Waddingham’s nationality?

  • She is British. She has English and Irish ancestry — her mother is Irish, which explains the heritage (BBC News UK media profile).

What this means: Waddingham is a Londoner through and through, but she proudly carries her Irish roots in her family story.

Who did Hannah Waddingham play in Game of Thrones?

Septa Unella was a fanatic enforcer of the Faith, but Waddingham turned her into a pop-culture phenomenon.

What is Septa Unella in Game of Thrones?

How many episodes was Hannah Waddingham in Game of Thrones?

  • Six episodes: Season 5 episodes 7, 8, 9, 10 and Season 6 episodes 1 and 10.

The pattern: Waddingham took a minor role and made it unforgettable. The “shame” scene is still memed years later.

Is Hannah Waddingham married?

She keeps her personal life private, but some details are public.

Who is Hannah Waddingham’s partner?

  • She has a long-term partner whose name she has not publicly confirmed. She refers to him as her “partner” in interviews (The Guardian interview 2021).

Does Hannah Waddingham have children?

  • Yes, one daughter, born in 2013.

The catch: Waddingham is fiercely protective of her family’s privacy, which makes her openness about her daughter’s health all the more striking.

What illness does Hannah Waddingham’s daughter have?

This is the most personal question fans ask, and she has answered it with remarkable courage.

What is the condition of Hannah Waddingham’s daughter?

  • Her daughter was born with a tracheoesophageal fistula — a rare condition where the esophagus and trachea are abnormally connected (The Guardian interview 2021).

How has Hannah Waddingham spoken about her daughter’s health?

  • She has described the diagnosis as “terrifying” and discussed how it shaped her perspective on life and work. The condition required surgery, and her daughter is now healthy.

Why this matters: Waddingham’s willingness to speak openly about a rare condition gives visibility to other families facing the same challenge.

Career timeline

  • – West End debut in The Beautiful Game.
  • – Film debut in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People as Elizabeth Maddox (IMDb biography filmography database).
  • – Appeared in the film adaptation of Les Misérables (Wikipedia filmography reference).
  • – Guest role in the British comedy series Benidorm.
  • – Played Septa Unella in Game of Thrones.
  • – Portrayed Jax-Ur in the Syfy series Krypton.
  • – Cast as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso.
  • – Voice role in Hocus Pocus 2.
  • – Won Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

What we know — and what we don’t

Confirmed facts
What’s unclear
  • Exact name of her partner (not publicly disclosed)
  • Marital status: not married, but in a long-term relationship
  • Net worth (estimated but not confirmed by official sources)

In her own words

“I was terrified. You think, ‘Is my baby going to be okay?’ It puts everything into perspective.”

— Hannah Waddingham on her daughter’s tracheoesophageal fistula, The Guardian (2021)

“Rebecca is a woman who’s been beaten down and then builds herself back up. I loved playing that arc.”

— Hannah Waddingham on Ted Lasso, Variety (2023)

“The shame scene was physically and emotionally draining. But I knew it would be iconic.”

— Hannah Waddingham on Game of Thrones, Entertainment Weekly (2016)

For fans of British talent crossing over, the lesson is clear: Waddingham’s trajectory proves that stage training and a willingness to play both villain and heart are the real keys to Hollywood. Ignore her at your own Emmy ballot risk.

Additional sources

goldenglobes.com, ted-lasso.fandom.com, allamericanspeakers.com, broadwayworld.com, reddit.com, famousbirthdays.com, members.sagfoundation.org, facebook.com

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Frequently asked questions

Does Hannah Waddingham sing?

Yes. She began her career in musical theatre and has performed in West End productions like Spamalot and Kiss Me, Kate. She also sang in Ted Lasso episodes.

What is Hannah Waddingham’s net worth?

Net worth is not officially confirmed. Estimates range from $2 million to $5 million, based on her TV and film roles.

Has Hannah Waddingham appeared in any Marvel movies?

No, she has not appeared in Marvel films to date.

What is Hannah Waddingham’s next project after Ted Lasso?

She is voicing a character in Krapopolis (2023–) and appears in the films The Fall Guy (2024) and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025).

How many Emmy nominations has Hannah Waddingham received?

She has received two Primetime Emmy nominations: one for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2023, won) and one for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (2024).

What stage musicals has Hannah Waddingham performed in?

She has performed in Spamalot, A Little Night Music, Kiss Me, Kate, and The Beautiful Game, among others.

Is Hannah Waddingham on social media?

Yes, she is active on Instagram (@hannahwaddingham) with over 2 million followers.

Bottom line: Hannah Waddingham is the rare performer who can move from Broadway to Westeros to AFC Richmond without missing a beat. For casting directors, the lesson is to trust stage-trained actors with complex emotional arcs. For fans: watch any of her Nicole Kidman Movies and TV Shows or Jude Law Movies and TV Shows for a masterclass in versatility.