Hannah Waddingham reveals the emotional struggle behind her Hollywood success

Hannah Waddingham reveals motherhood guilt struggles while balancing her acting career and raising her daughter today

Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham has opened up about the emotional challenges of balancing her successful acting career with motherhood, admitting that “mummy guilt” often follows her when work takes her away from her daughter.

In a recent interview, Waddingham discussed the pressure she feels when travelling for projects, including upcoming work connected to Ted Lasso. The actress explained that leaving her daughter, Kitty, behind for long periods can be difficult, despite understanding the demands of her profession.

Waddingham became a mother in 2014 and has previously spoken about how she carefully considered the timing of starting a family while building her career. She admitted that she wanted to avoid creating resentment around missed opportunities and hoped to show her daughter that it is possible to love both family and work.

The actress recalled carrying reminders of her daughter while working away from home, including a handmade cardboard handbag that Kitty created. Waddingham brought the sentimental item to the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards instead of a designer accessory because it made her feel connected to her child.

The Game of Thrones and Ted Lasso star also reflected on her journey into Hollywood, crediting her theatre background and her mother, an opera singer, for inspiring her passion for performance.

Waddingham said her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso transformed her career, providing financial stability and allowing her to support her daughter as a single mother after her relationship with Gianluca Cugnetto ended.

As she prepares for the next chapter of Ted Lasso, Waddingham continues to embrace both her professional achievements and her role as a mother, proving that success and parenthood can exist together.