Hannah Waddingham Shares Her ‘Favorite Book of All Time’—Plus the Thrillers She’s Reading Next
Ahead of ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4, the star shares the novels that center her—and what's sitting by her bedside right now
Key Takeaways
- Hannah Waddingham will appear in the new season of 'Ted Lasso' out on August 5.
- The actress has shared over the years a few of her favorite books.
- Plus, see what's sitting on Hannah Waddingham's nightstand right now.
These days, the world can’t get enough of Hannah Waddingham. Most recently, she shined alongside Octavia Spencer in Ride or Die, where she showed off her skills in the action genre. On August 5, she will once again return to her beloved role of Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso Season 4. On top of her busy television and film career, she’s also Mom to a 12-year-old daughter, Kitty. With so much on her plate, it’s hard to imagine the 52-year-old actress has much time for anything other than work and motherhood, but Waddingham has revealed over the years that she enjoys reading—and more than just scripts! Here, check out a few of Hannah Waddingham’s favorite books.
What is Hannah Waddingham reading?
Hannah Waddingham has a long history within the arts—her career first blossomed on the stage before she made a name for herself as a screen actress. That being said, storytelling has always played a major role in her life and career, so the Ted Lasso star can appreciate a good tale. In 2021, in conversation with Katie Couric Media, Hannah Waddingham revealed that her most beloved book was The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, saying it was her “favorite book of all time, which I’m currently re-reading because it actually centers me.”
The God of Small Things tells the story of twins living in India, whose mother’s affair with someone outside of her caste causes a chain reaction of tragic events that affect the lives of these two siblings into adulthood.
More recently, while chatting with Magic Radio as she promoted Ride or Die, Waddingham was asked about a recent book she read that had her hooked. “I’ve actually just bought the Liz Nugent five-book collection and it’s been sitting next to my bed—I’m not joking—for about four or five months, because I just haven’t had the time to get into it. But that’s where I’m going next.”
This collection includes Strange Sally Diamond, Unravelling Oliver, Lying in Wait, Skin Deep and Our Little Cruelties. A collection of suspenseful tales about everything from family secrets to hidden pasts, Waddingham’s taste in books is certainly diverse.
Hannah Waddingham can appreciate a children’s book as well
In 2024, Hannah Waddingham lent her voice to Tiddler, a television special from the minds of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the UK’s famed picture book creators. Bringing this story to life through her narration was special, for the books by this duo played an important part in her daughter’s upbringing. “Voicing the narrator for this Christmas special from Magic Light Pictures has been a real joy to record,” said Waddingham per The Hollywood Reporter. “Tiddler is the tale of the storyteller in all of us, and helps children understand what it’s like to be a small fish in a very big pond (and we’ve all felt THAT in life!) I have loved reading the books by Julia and Axel to my daughter over the years and it’s so lovely to get to bring one of them to screen in this beautiful animation.”
Whether Hannah Waddingham is diving into an old favorite or exploring heartwarming stories with her daughter, her love and commitment to storytelling are evident in her work!
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