Start with a strong hook about how a character who spoke just one word became one of the most memorable figures in one of television’s biggest shows. State that this article will delve into Waddingham’s transformative performance, the real-life struggles of filming the iconic scenes, and her journey from this impactful role to her current superstar status, particularly in Ted Lasso. Use the exact keyword: “Hannah Waddingham Game of Thrones”.
Who is Hannah Waddingham? A Glimpse into the Actress’s Career
Early Life and Career: Add specific details about her musical theater background. Mention her Olivier Award nominations for roles like The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and her work in other West End productions like A Little Night Music. This establishes her deep-rooted talent and stage presence long before she became a screen star.
The Ted Lasso Phenomenon: This section is crucial for E-E-A-T. Go beyond just mentioning the show. Explain the contrast between Septa Unella and Rebecca Welton. While Unella is cold and fanatical, Rebecca is a complex, empathetic character who undergoes a significant emotional journey.
This highlights Waddingham’s incredible range and acting prowess. Mention her Emmy win and other accolades, solidifying her expertise and authority in the acting world. You could also include a quote where she discusses how her theater background prepared her for the rigors of TV, or how she “manifested” the Ted Lasso role after a difficult personal experience.
The Role That Roared: Septa Unella and the “Shame” Scene
Character Breakdown: Go into the motivations of Septa Unella. She isn’t just a sadistic villain; she’s a zealous true believer in the Faith of the Seven. Her cruelty comes from a place of religious conviction, which makes her a more nuanced and frightening antagonist. She is the physical embodiment of the Faith’s unyielding dogmatism.
The “Shame” Walk: Describe the scene’s power dynamics. Cersei, a character accustomed to absolute power, is stripped of all dignity. Unella, a character with no real power in the traditional sense, wields immense psychological control over her. The scene is not just about physical humiliation but the breakdown of a powerful queen’s identity. Mention the “dinging” of the bell and how the sound became as iconic as the chant itself.
Behind the Scenes: This is where you add compelling, fact-checked details. Citing sources like her interviews with Collider or Stephen Colbert, reveal that the filming of her final scene (her “wineboarding” torture) was “the worst day of her life, other than childbirth.” Explain that she was genuinely strapped to a table for 10 hours and had liquid poured on her face. Crucially, mention that this experience left her with chronic claustrophobia.
This kind of raw, personal detail adds immense trustworthiness and a human element to the article. Also, mention the original, more graphic, plan for her character’s fate and how it was changed due to fan complaints about prior scenes of sexual violence, a point that is often a hot topic among fans.
The Legacy of a Single Word: Analyzing the Impact of “Shame”
Cultural Impact: Provide concrete examples. Talk about how the “Shame! Shame!” chant was used in news reports, parodies, and especially on social media. Mention its use in viral videos, Halloween costumes, and even political commentary. The chant became a shorthand for public shaming, transcending its origin in a fantasy show.
Psychological and Thematic Analysis: Discuss how the scene serves as a turning point for Cersei, solidifying her as a ruthless, vengeful villain. Unella’s role is critical in Cersei’s transformation from a power-hungry queen to a character consumed by a thirst for retribution. The scene encapsulates the show’s dark themes and a central conflict between faith and state power.
Waddingham’s Perspective: Include quotes from Waddingham about her love for the role despite its challenges. She has often spoken about how she “loved” playing a character that looked like she’d “been dug up” and how it allowed her to focus on the internal character work rather than her physical appearance. This provides a deep level of insight into her acting process.
Beyond Game of Thrones: Waddingham’s Diverse Filmography
Post-GoT Roles: Detail her other projects besides Ted Lasso. Mention her role in the Hocus Pocus 2 movie and her appearance in the TV series Sex Education. This shows she is a working actress who has built a diverse resume.
Recent Trends (as of 2025): This is where you can truly showcase your article’s timeliness. Mention her upcoming major film roles in big productions, like the Mission: Impossible franchise or a Disney live-action remake (e.g., Lilo & Stitch). This positions her as an A-list Hollywood talent. Also, mention her high-profile hosting gigs, such as the Eurovision Song Contest, which highlighted her charisma and fluency in other languages.
The Ascent of a Versatile Talent: A Career Forged on Stage
Hannah Waddingham’s path to global fame was a long and arduous one, built on a foundation of hard work and an undeniable talent for live performance. She was not an overnight sensation; rather, she was a seasoned professional in the cutthroat world of musical theater for over two decades.
From West End to Worldwide Recognition: Waddingham began her career on the legendary stages of London’s West End, where she honed her craft and earned immense respect from her peers. She garnered three Olivier Award nominations, one of the most prestigious honors in British theater, for her performances in productions like Spamalot, A Little Night Music, and Kiss Me, Kate.
This deep background in theater is crucial to understanding her success. It taught her impeccable timing, powerful vocal projection, and the stamina required for physically and emotionally demanding roles. It is this discipline that allowed her to tackle a character as intense as Septa Unella with such conviction.
The Ted Lasso Phenomenon as a Counterpoint: While her Game of Thrones role made her instantly recognizable, it was her portrayal of the glamorous, emotionally complex, and ultimately kind-hearted Rebecca Welton in Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso that truly cemented her as an A-list star. The contrast between these two roles could not be starker. Unella is a vessel of cold, religious fanaticism, while Rebecca is a deeply empathetic character on a journey of healing and self-discovery.
This demonstrates Waddingham’s incredible range and highlights her ability to bring humanity to even the most hardened characters. Her Emmy win for this role in 2021 was not just a personal victory but a triumph for every actor who has “grafted” for years in the theater before finding their moment in the spotlight.
The Role That Etched Itself in History: Septa Unella
The character of Septa Unella, a member of the Faith of the Seven, is defined by her austere piety and unwavering devotion to the High Sparrow’s vision of religious purity. Her role in the show’s narrative was simple but impactful: she was the physical manifestation of Cersei’s punishment and a symbol of the Faith’s unyielding power.
Step-by-Step Guide: The “Walk of Atonement”
Preparation of the Sinner: Septa Unella first oversees Cersei’s confession, pushing her to admit her sins. This is not a gentle act but a forced one, where Cersei is starved and humiliated until she breaks.
The Stripping: The climax of Unella’s cruelty begins as she and other Septas roughly strip Cersei of her clothes and cut her hair, robbing her of her final vestiges of power and identity as a queen. This physical assault is designed to humble her completely.
The Public Shaming: As Cersei begins her harrowing, mile-long walk naked through the streets of King’s Landing, Septa Unella follows her, ringing a bell and chanting the word “Shame!” This constant repetition is designed to serve as both a public condemnation and a mental torture for the subject.
The Lasting Aftermath: The scene doesn’t end when Cersei reaches the Red Keep. The memory of the chant, and the person who delivered it, continues to haunt both Cersei and the audience. Unella’s role as Cersei’s tormentor is what fuels Cersei’s subsequent, and far more violent, path to revenge.
Real-Life Examples of the Scene’s Impact: The “Shame” walk quickly became a cultural touchstone.
In Media: The chant was adopted by late-night comedy shows, news programs, and viral social media videos to publicly mock politicians, celebrities, and public figures who had been embroiled in scandal.
In Pop Culture: For years, Halloween costumes of “The Shame Nun” were a popular choice. At conventions like Comic-Con, fans would often bring bells and dress as Septa Unella to playfully “shame” their friends or other cosplayers.
For the Actress: The chant became so synonymous with her that Waddingham has spoken about how people would approach her in public and jokingly chant “shame” at her. While initially startling, she has learned to embrace it as a quirky part of her legacy.
Practical Tips for Actors from Hannah Waddingham’s Career
Waddingham’s journey from a seasoned stage actress to a celebrated screen star offers invaluable lessons for anyone pursuing a creative career. Her career isn’t just a story of success; it’s a testament to discipline, resilience, and knowing your worth.
Master Your Craft, Don’t Just Memorize Lines: As a theater veteran, Waddingham emphasized that she learns her scripts not just by sight but by sound. She records her lines and listens to them like music, a technique she calls “hearing the reason of each character.” This method allows her to internalize the rhythm and motivation behind the words, leading to a more organic and authentic performance.
Embrace the Uncomfortable: Talkbrit Waddingham’s famous “waterboarding” scene in Game of Thrones is a powerful example of her commitment. While a less experienced actor might have objected, Waddingham chose to fully embrace the horror of the scene to deliver an unforgettable performance, even if it meant enduring real physical and mental discomfort.
She has openly discussed how this left her with chronic claustrophobia, a powerful reminder of the risks actors sometimes take to serve a piece of art. Her willingness to “serve the piece” is a core tenet of her work ethic.
Stay Grounded and Never Forget Where You Came From: Despite her immense fame, Waddingham remains grateful for her long, hard-fought journey. In interviews, she has often spoken about how she has “a little list” of people who wouldn’t give her the time of day when she was a struggling stage actress. Now, as a multi-award-winning star, she uses her platform to advocate for other theater actors and to show that a career in television and film is achievable for those who “grafted” in a different medium.
Recent Trends and Future Horizons
As of late 2025, Hannah Waddingham’s career is in full bloom, moving from strength to strength. Her post-Ted Lasso trajectory is solidifying her as a formidable force in Hollywood.
Major Film Roles: Waddingham’s star power is now being leveraged in major studio films. Her role in the blockbuster The Fall Guy (2024), where she starred alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, showcased her comedic timing and ability to hold her own on the big screen.
Looking ahead, she has been cast in high-profile projects that are expected to be major hits in the coming years, including the live-action remake of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2025) and a lead role in the upcoming action-comedy series Ride or Die for Prime Video, where she stars as a secret assassin alongside Octavia Spencer. This project has been filming throughout 2025, with a much-anticipated release expected in 2026.
Hosting and Live Appearances: Waddingham’s incredible charisma Liverpool Daily News and powerful singing voice have made her a sought-after host. Her performance as a presenter at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 was a highlight, showcasing her wit and stage presence to a global audience of over 160 million viewers. These gigs highlight a recent trend in her career to use her multifaceted talents in different public forums, further cementing her status as a beloved public figure.
The Power of the Internet: Her candid, often hilarious interviews and her genuine personality have earned her a massive following online. Clips of her discussing her Game of Thrones experiences or sharing behind-the-scenes stories from Ted Lasso go viral regularly, showing that her authenticity resonates deeply with a modern, media-savvy audience.
FAQs
What episodes of Game of Thrones is Hannah Waddingham in?
Hannah Waddingham appeared in a total of eight episodes of Game of Thrones. She first appeared in Season 5, Episode 3 (“High Sparrow”), and her final appearance was in the Season 6 finale, “The Winds of Winter.” While her character’s screen time was limited, her impact was undeniably massive.
Did Hannah Waddingham really get waterboarded during filming?
Yes, Hannah Waddingham has stated in multiple interviews that she was genuinely waterboarded for her final scene. The scene, where her character is tortured by Cersei and The Mountain, involved her being strapped to a table for 10 hours while grape juice was poured over her face and into her mouth. She has openly discussed how this experience was “the worst day of my life, other than childbirth,” and that it left her with chronic claustrophobia.
What is the connection between Hannah Waddingham and Ted Lasso?
After her role in Game of Thrones, Hannah Waddingham was cast as Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso. The show became a global phenomenon, and her portrayal of the emotionally layered team owner earned her widespread critical acclaim, an Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe nomination. The role is a stark contrast to Septa Unella, demonstrating her versatility.
What was the original plan for Septa Unella’s death?
The original script for the Season 6 finale had a far more graphic and disturbing death for Septa Unella. It was rumored that she was to be sexually assaulted by The Mountain. However, due to the show’s controversial history with depicting sexual violence, the scene was changed to the “waterboarding” torture sequence.
What other famous roles has Hannah Waddingham played?
Beyond Game of Thrones and Ted Lasso, Hannah Waddingham has a long and varied filmography. Her notable roles include a recurring part as Sofía Marchetti, Jackson’s mother, in Netflix’s Sex Education, and a role as the Mother Witch in the Disney+ movie Hocus Pocus 2. She has also appeared in several films, including Les Misérables (2012) and The Fall Guy (2024), and is set to star in the upcoming Prime Video series Ride or Die and a role in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch.
Final Thoughts
Hannah Waddingham’s legacy on London City News Game of Thrones is a powerful story about how a single, well-executed performance can resonate far beyond the confines of a TV show. As Septa Unella, she created a character who was both terrifying and unforgettable, a symbol of fanaticism that has become part of our cultural lexicon.
But what makes her journey truly compelling is that this challenging and often traumatic experience on a fantasy epic did not define her. Instead, it was a stepping stone. Her subsequent rise as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso showcased her immense range, from formidable villain to empathetic hero, and proved that her talent is boundless.
From the stages of the West End to the halls of Hollywood, Hannah Waddingham’s career is a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and a refusal to be pigeonholed. She is not just an actress who was in Game of Thrones; she is a star who took a challenging role and used it to forge a path to the very top.
