ted lasso Star Hannah Waddingham recently spoke about how early in her career she would “literally accept anything” to get an on-screen role.
the Emmy Award-winning actress said. BBC Radio 2 Podcast Michelle Visage's Rule Breakers She said she felt encouraged by comments made by a former teacher when she was a student.
“One drama teacher told the whole class, 'Oh, Hannah will never work on screen because it looks like she's had a stroke on one side of her face,'” she said. “I thought, let's do it. Come hell or high water, I'll do my job on screen.”
The actress acknowledged the comment “I gave.” [her] It was a long-standing complex,” the teacher added, adding that he should have known the comments were not “helpful, positive or aspirational.”
Waddingham instead went on to a successful career in the West End and Broadway, finding success with television roles. game of thrones, sex educationand ted lasso.
“I used to torture myself senselessly,” she said. “I used to [theatre] During my nightly shows, I would literally do anything to get myself on screen. ”
After a while, she realized she wanted more value from her television career and wanted more than just guest appearances.
“So I said to my agents at the time, 'I'm not going to do it again…I'm not going to do one scene anymore. You shouldn't blame me for being insulting,'” she recalled. “I've been a leading actress for 22 years. I'm not doing that anymore. I want to be in a world where I'm valued.”
She continued: “So I completely backed off. Then game of thrones happened. “
Waddingham won an Emmy Award, a SAG Award, and a Critics Choice Award for her performance in the film. ted lasso.
The actress added that she used her Emmy acceptance speech to speak for other theater actors looking to break into on-screen roles.
“That's what I stood for in my Emmy speech. It's the only thing I said to myself.” [was]If this strange moment comes and I win this award and step into this door, I'm going to rip that door off its hinges so that music theater people and theater people can follow.'' she said.
