'Ted Lasso' star Hannah Waddingham reflects on biggest career challenge in early career

Hannah Waddingham has shared that her height previously made it harder for her to land acting roles early in her career.

The Ted Lasso star, 52, made the admission while speaking to The New York Times, saying she was often rejected because she was taller than the male actors who had already been cast.

Waddingham is 5 feet 11 inches tall and stands around 6 feet 2 inches in heels.

She recalled hearing the same response during auditions, "We'd love to use her, but we've already cast the man."

The actress questioned why a tall woman could not play emotional or vulnerable characters.

“Why can’t a woman who’s 6 feet 2 inches have all the same vulnerabilities and misgivings about herself, wobble as much, as somebody who’s 5 feet 2 inches?”

Waddingham says her height is now seen as one of her strengths. Her Ted Lasso co-star and co-creator Brendan Hunt told The New York Times that although her character Rebecca was not originally written as tall, it became one of the things that made the role stand out.

The 52-year-old also spoke about aging, saying she has no interest in cosmetic surgery because she wants to keep "full control" of her face.

“I’m actually more confident, more settled,” adding, “So why would I want to make myself look like I’m 30, when I wasn’t as happy at 30?”

Waddingham will soon return as Rebecca in the fourth season of Ted Lasso. 

The hit comedy is coming back after ending in 2023, with Jason Sudeikis' character returning to Britain to coach a women's soccer team.