Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham to star in Apple’s first musical holiday special

Apple has announced that Hannah Waddingham, best known for her role as Rebecca Welton on the hit TV series “Ted Lasso,” will be the star of a new musical holiday special set to debut on the Apple TV+ streaming service in 2023.

The special will be directed by Chris Addison, who also worked on “Ted Lasso,” and is being produced by the team behind the popular “Carpool Karaoke” series.

According to a statement from Apple, the as-yet-untitled special will be “a love letter to the holiday season” and will feature Waddingham performing a mix of classic and contemporary holiday songs, along with some original music.

Waddingham, who is also a talented singer and has appeared in West End productions of “Spamalot” and “The Wizard of Oz,” said she was thrilled to be taking on the new project.

“I’m so excited to be working with Apple on this special project,” Waddingham said in a statement. “The holiday season is such a special time, and I can’t wait to share my love of music and the magic of the holidays with audiences around the world.”

The announcement of the holiday special comes as “Ted Lasso” continues to gain popularity and critical acclaim. The show, which follows the adventures of an American football coach who moves to England to lead a soccer team, has been praised for its heartwarming and uplifting message, as well as its sharp writing and strong performances.

Waddingham’s character on the show, Rebecca Welton, is the owner of the soccer team and a key player in the show’s ensemble cast. Waddingham has been widely praised for her performance, which has earned her a 2021 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

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The announcement of the holiday special is just the latest in a string of high-profile projects for Waddingham. In addition to “Ted Lasso,” she has also appeared in the HBO series “Game of Thrones” and the film “Les Misérables.”

The special also marks a new direction for Apple’s original content strategy. While the company has had success with dramas and comedies like “The Morning Show” and “Ted Lasso,” this will be its first foray into the world of musicals.

Apple has been investing heavily in original content in recent years, as it seeks to compete with other streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The company has also been making moves into the world of feature films, with high-profile releases like “Greyhound” and “Cherry.”

The holiday special will be produced by Fulwell 73, the production company behind “Carpool Karaoke” and “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” The company is known for its expertise in producing musical content, and has also worked on documentaries like “David Beckham: For the Love of the Game.”

In conclusion, Hannah Waddingham’s holiday special promises to be a festive and joyful experience for viewers of all ages. With her powerhouse vocals and charm, Waddingham is sure to bring the magic of the holiday season to life in a way that only she can. The special is set to debut on Apple TV+ in 2023, and fans of “Ted Lasso” and musicals alike won’t want to miss it.