Hannah Waddingham’s ‘Home for Christmas’ is a love letter to her mom and ‘Ted Lasso’ viewers

byRoxaine November 27, 2023

Hannah Waddingham, the performer renowned for portraying AFC Richmond team owner Rebecca Welton in “Ted Lasso,” recently discussed the genesis of her latest holiday special, “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas,” in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Hannah Waddingham in "Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas" on Apple TV+

While many recognize her for her award-winning role in the sitcom, Waddingham brings a wealth of experience from her decades-long involvement in musical theater. According to her conversation with THR, the concept of her own musical holiday production emerged following her appearance on a Michael Bublé special, a suggestion put forth by her manager, Nick Todisco.


Initially, Waddingham expressed reservations, stating, “Immediately, being typically English, I went, ‘Oh, no, no, no. Nobody’s interested in that.’ And he was like, ‘I don’t know. You’ve had such popularity with your singing in ‘Ted.’ Let’s just float it to Apple.’ And we put a pitch together.”

The outcome was described as an “old school” spectacle, reminiscent of a “Dean Martin-Carol Burnett kind of special.” Filmed at the historic London Coliseum, where Waddingham's mother had once graced the stage as a singer, the setting held sentimental value. Recalling childhood memories of watching her mother perform there at the age of 8, Waddingham felt it fitting to have her own 8-year-old daughter and her mother, now facing mobility challenges due to advanced Parkinson’s disease, in the audience during the recording.

Notably, Waddingham enlisted the participation of some of her 'Ted Lasso' colleagues, including Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Sudeikis, in the special. She emphasized the importance of a genuine connection with her co-performers, stating, “Apple was brilliant. Whenever we had meetings, I stressed that, yes, you could sing with a load of famous people, but I have to have a connection to them because, otherwise, it’s not authentic to me.”

Brendan Hunt, James Lance, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, Phil Dunster, Hannah Waddingham and Luke Evans in "Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas

Given the strong presence of 'Ted Lasso' in the holiday special, speculation arises about the possibility of a spinoff series, a notion that fans have expressed interest in. Waddingham addressed this by stating, “Everyone keeps asking this, but no, there’s been no word of a spinoff at all, and I have made it quite clear that unless Ted was in it… I can’t imagine really a world where Rebecca exists without Ted because they are each other’s inspiration.”

'Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas' is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+.

Comments:

The Guardian: "Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas is a festive extravaganza that will put you in the holiday spirit. Waddingham is a charismatic and hilarious host, and the special is packed with great music and comedy."

Decider: "Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas is a delightful holiday special that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Waddingham is a triple threat – she can sing, dance, and act – and she brings her A-game to this special."

The Hollywood Reporter: "Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas is a heartwarming and hilarious holiday special that is sure to become a tradition. Waddingham is a star, and the special is a celebration of her talent and her love for Christmas."

Tweets:

@hanwaddingham: "So excited to share my new holiday special, Home for Christmas, with you all! It's a love letter to my mom, my fans, and the spirit of the holidays. #HomeForChristmas"

@AppleTV: "Get ready for a festive treat! Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas is streaming now on Apple TV+. #HomeForChristmas"

@LeslieOdomJr: "Had so much fun making this special with Hannah! Home for Christmas is a must-watch for the holidays!"

Conclusion:

"Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas" is more than just a holiday special; it's a celebration of family, friendship, and the power of music to connect and uplift. Waddingham's infectious enthusiasm and genuine warmth create a truly special experience that will leave audiences feeling both entertained and inspired.

Tags
Roxaine

Posted by Roxaine

Post a Comment

0 Comments