‘Ted Lasso’: Hannah Waddingham Teases Rebecca’s ‘Hopeful’ Season 2 Romance
Preview
While AFC Richmond is focusing on scoring goals in Season 2 of Ted Lasso, team owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) is taking time to explore romance.
After struggling to get through her public divorce with Rupert (Anthony Head) in Season 1, she’s taking the plunge and navigating the dating world with a little help from her friends, of course. “She’s not got everything figured out,” Emmy-nominee Waddingham admits.
“I was desperate for her to not have everything figured out because the realness and the rawness that I got to play last year was the beauty of it,” she says of her role. “I didn’t want her to be suddenly gleaming and perfect.”
As expected, she’s turning to familiar sources for support including AFC Richmond’s head coach Ted (Jason Sudeikis). “It opens with her dating somebody, but immediately going to Ted [and saying], ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t know how to do this anymore, someone tell me.'”
(Credit: Apple TV+)
“I don’t think she knows what she wants,” says Waddingham. “She’s just hopeful.” No doubt a trait she’s picked up from Ted’s presence, Rebecca has found “hope and the possibility of change.” Along with using Ted as a sounding board for her romantic prospects, Rebecca also turns to pal Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) and by default Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) for their thoughts.
Keeley and Roy continue their relationship in Season 2 but are also doing some navigating of their own. “A special part of this season was getting to explore a relationship where they’re in it. And what does that mean? And what challenges does that bring?” Temple says.
(Credit: Apple TV+)
“I think you get even more invested in it than you did at the end of Season 1,” admits Temple.
“I love that they’re her wingmen,” Waddingham chimes in of Rebecca’s friends. Despite her closeness with Keeley, it’s Roy’s words about dating that seem to have a big impact on Rebecca, and for a good reason. “Roy is painfully honest and usually his honesty doesn’t come in Rebecca’s direction,” Waddingham elaborates. “So she cannot help but take him seriously and digest it.”
In the meantime, as Rebecca figures out what romance looks like for her, Ted’s there to deliver more biscuits with the boss. “She’s having a moment, whether it’s about some guy or whether it’s about an actual issue to do with the football team,” Waddingham says.
(Credit: Apple TV+)
“There was often no need for me to have biscuits at all, or at least it wasn’t written in, but every time I’m in my office, there’s some. And I like the fact that it looks like Ted’s already visited the room that morning, it’s just a constant, it’s her emotional crutch, especially when it comes to guys.”
Ted Lasso, Season 2 Premiere, Friday, July 23, Apple TV+
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O
I agree with Terry Commander. The chemistry between Ted and Rebecca is palpable. I will be very disappointed if they don't end up romantically involved.
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C
Honestly, after their time together at Christmas, I think Ted is the perfect match for Rebecca, and likewise. They have been through so much together, and have seen the darkest sides of each other. They have hit their lowest low and the chemistry just clicks. They seem to be diametrically opposite of one another, but they just have that ‘it’ factor. If the writers don’t take advantage of that by the end of season 2, it would be a horrible way to leave open for season 3.
Her and Ted’s chemistry is not that dissimilar to Roy and Keeley, and any good writer would know that that should be a template for Rebecca and Ted, given their start. A bit of reluctance by each, while simultaneously inevitable. It has been a great build, and I, as a fan, am emotionally invested in seeing them together, because they are perfect supports for each other.
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