One star of Ted Lasso has revealed what it was really like to work with Hannah Waddingham and Jason Sudeikis, as well as his memories of Anthony Head, who died in June
Hannah Waddingham at a Ted Lasso event(Image: WireImage)
Ted Lasso returns to screens this week, and ahead of the fourth season’s release, one star has revealed what it was really like to work with the cast, including Hannah Waddingham and Jason Sudeikis.
Tom Hendryk, who played goalkeeper Tom O’Brien, was in the first three seasons of the Emmy-winning sitcom. Speaking to CasinoHawks, he shared that the first time he properly spoke to Hannah Waddingham, she complimented his dancing.
“The first time I had an encounter with Hannah, it was the gala scene in season one, and all the footballers were given girlfriends or wives for the scene. I had this lovely lady called Isabelle who was a dancer. That worked out for me because I could dance as well. I have ballroom training, so I was quite comfortable. After we filmed the scene, Hannah came up to me and she said, ‘I wish all men could dance like you.’
“That broke the ice beautifully. After that we got on like a house on fire. She is as gorgeous inside as she is outside. Hannah is an absolute perfect human being.”
In the show, Hannah played the owner of football club AFC Richmond, Rebecca Welton. The character took over the club as part of her divorce settlement with her controlling ex husband Rupert Mannion (Anthony Head) and initially hires American Football coach Ted (Jason Sudeikis) because she thinks he’ll lead the team into disaster. But she soon comes to love the hilrious and big-hearted coach as much as the team does.
According to Tom, Jason is just as funny as his character. He said: “At the beginning, we were all a bit starstruck and we said to ourselves, ‘Oh wow, it’s Jason Sudeikis.’ But the thing is, he’s such a chilled out and relaxed guy. He is so naturally funny. Just every single day he’d crack everyone up. He talked to everyone. He was just as much part of the team as any of the players, and always someone to look up to as well.”
Tom also shared that there was a scene where he thought Jason had “shafted” him, by giving him an “inappropriate” line. The scene in question was from season three, where former model and WAG Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) was hacked and her nude photos were released. The footballers then discuss whether they should delete or keep nude photos they’ve been sent, with Tom’s character asking: “What if it’s nude but not sexual?” When asked what the girl was doing, he said: “Just defecating.”
“I thought, ‘How is this going to make the show?’” Tom said. “It ended up making the cut and the editors said, ‘You got the best line!’ So maybe Jason did me a favour.”
Though the show became a smash hit, Tom said the whole cast, including writer and star Jason, didn’t think it would be when they first started filming. “We came in with no expectations. No one on the show, not even Jason himself, thought that it would become the monster that it is today, and now in its fourth season as well. It was exciting, of course, but again we had relatively low expectations.
“I definitely went into it not thinking I’d be there for a second season. It was definitely, ‘enjoy this ride for a while, while it lasts’. After season one ended, we all shook hands and carried on. Then when we got the call for the second season, that was eye-opening. I thought, ‘Okay, this might be something.’”
Both Jason and Hannah are returning for season four of the show, which Tom predicts will be “such a brilliant season” as it focuses on the girls’ team. But Anthony Head, who played the primary antagonist Rupert, is not expected to. He died on 1 June 2026, aged 72, from complications due to pneumonia.
Tom said that Anthony was “the funniest guy, and absolutely lovely”. “I had a few nice chats with him off camera. It was really sad news for the whole Ted Lasso family, because he was absolutely a part of the furniture. He was such a talented and wonderful individual.”
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