Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham's little-known role that you might've forgotten about
Every A-list star has to start somewhere, and for many, the road to Hollywood is paved with smaller, supporting or delightfully quirky TV roles.
Looking back at these early performances can be a fun reminder that even the biggest names once played characters far removed from the glamorous roles they're best known for today.
The rite of passage even applied to Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham, before she became one of the world's most recognised showbiz heroes, famed across the globe for her stage and screen magnetism.
What many fans of Waddingham may not know, however, is that, before rising through the ranks, the international icon made an appearance in a relatively lesser-known series - one that many consider one of the UK's most nostalgic TV hits.
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The year was 2014, and in the West End world, Waddingham, then 39, was already considered something of a rising star.
She was yet to make her debut in a major television series, however - cue her meeting with writer Derren Litten.
In the years prior, Litten had written and created ITV's rib-tickling hit, Benidorm, which already featured an ensemble cast of sun-seekers and staff who worked at the Solana all-inclusive hotel in the Spanish hotspot.
When Waddingham first met Litten, she'd been starring in Monty Python’s Spamalot on the stage. By the end of their introduction, she'd bagged herself a role in the sixth series of Benidorm.
Waddingham appeared as doting mother-of-two Tonya Dyke, the no-nonsense wife of Clive Dyke (played by Perry Benson) in seven episodes.
Her character arrived at the Solana resort alongside her husband, their daughter, Bianca, and son, Tiger, immediately standing out thanks to her glamorous appearance, confidence and sharp wit.
Despite her polished exterior, fans quickly learned that Tonya's relationship with Clive was far from perfect, with the couple frequently clashing over money, status and their failing marriage, often coming to blows in the most hilarious of ways.
Waddingham, now 52, previously reflected on the opportunity, looking back on her meeting with Litten.
"We got on brilliantly, then this part came up, and I thought, 'This is just a fabulous character," she told The Mirror. "I couldn’t turn Tonya down.
"Clive has a building company that was doing brilliantly, so she’s got used to her la-di-da lifestyle, but he hasn’t told her it’s now going down the pan."
The Emmy-winning star continued at the time: "When they turn up at the Solana, Tonya clearly thinks she’s better than anyone else, but as the series develops you find her soft side and realise she is all about her children. Anyone who crosses them has her to answer to."
"She’s brilliant fun to play, and our wonderful wardrobe designer gave me the most incredible costumes. I’ve never worn anything like that before."
After checking out of the Solana, Waddingham's career well and truly went from strength to strength.
She continued to impress audiences with roles including the ruthless Septa Unella in Game of Thrones - a character that required her to repeatedly chant the word, 'Shame!' - and in 2020, she was cast as Rebecca Welton in Apple TV+'s hit comedy Ted Lasso.
Rebecca began the sports-comedy series as the newly divorced owner of fictional football club AFC Richmond, initially hiring the relentlessly optimistic American coach Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis) in a bid to sabotage the team and get revenge on her ex-husband.
It didn't take long for Rebecca to forge a genuine friendship with Ted and the squad while letting go of the bitterness that once defined her.
The performance earned Waddingham widespread critical acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, as well as two Critics' Choice Television Awards and Screen Actors Guild recognition.
Fans won't have long to wait to see her back on screen either, as Ted Lasso returns for its long-awaited fourth season tonight (5 August) - eek!
Read more about what series four has in store right here.
Topics: Ted Lasso, TV And Film, Celebrity, Entertainment, UK News
Rhianna Benson