Hannah Waddingham on stunts, sexism and the 'mummy guilt' of a late-blooming star

Hannah Waddingham has arrived in her Hollywood era, yet the 51-year-old actor remains fiercely protective of her identity beyond the spotlight. In a recent interview in London, Waddingham addressed her career resurgence, which has seen her transition from a respected stage performer to a global television and film star. She discussed her upcoming role in the fourth season of Ted Lasso and her new series Ride or Die, while also clarifying misconceptions about her public persona and her approach to motherhood.

Waddingham revealed that she performed 75 to 80 per cent of her own stunts in Ride or Die, a comedy-drama caper in which she plays an undercover assassin. She described the physical toll of the production, noting that she "mangled myself senseless" during the process. The series, which co-stars Octavia Spencer, centres on female friendship and the idea that women in their 50s can reinvent themselves. Waddingham expressed her admiration for Spencer, whom she called her "magnificent counterpart," and highlighted the show’s focus on women supporting one another through drastic life changes.

The actor also addressed past incidents of sexism, specifically referencing a 2024 encounter with a photographer at the Olivier Awards. While her response to the photographer’s request to "show leg" went viral as a stand against misogyny, Waddingham clarified that the man was not a friend, but a photographer she had respected for two decades. She explained that he apologised after she called out the comment as inappropriate, noting that the interaction was an instance of overfamiliarity rather than malice. She emphasised that good manners and firm kindness are central to her conduct, particularly as a role model for her 11-year-old daughter, Kitty.

Motherhood has significantly shaped Waddingham’s career choices and her relationship with the theatre. She revealed that she has not performed in theatre since the early 2010s because the demanding schedule of eight shows a week conflicts with her responsibilities as a single parent. She expressed a desire to return to the stage only when she can fully commit to the audience, stating that she does not believe her daughter is ready for her absence. Waddingham also spoke about her late mother, opera singer Melodie Kelly, and her decision to film her Christmas special at the London Coliseum, the venue where her mother once worked in the chorus.

Beyond her personal life, Waddingham shared her strong support for women’s football, citing pioneers such as Karen Carney, Leah Williamson, and Jill Scott as inspirations for her daughter’s generation. She expressed incredulity at recent comments made by England goalkeeper Mary Earps in her autobiography, describing them as "unfathomable." Waddingham, who hosts her daughter at school events and lives in south-west London, described her journey as an "overnight success after 25 years" as "delicious," affirming that she is at peace with her age and her multifaceted career.