Even though her name wasn’t pronounced correctly when she won the Emmy and when she hosted the Olivier Awards she pointed out how people always mispronounced her last name, Hannah Waddingham surely is leaving her mark in this world with her immense talent. With a long history on the West End stages, Waddingham’s talent covers acting and singing — something that has been incorporated into her character of Rebecca Welton multiple times.
When Ted Lasso started, fans everywhere immediately fell in love with Rebecca Welton. It is rare to see female characters in positions of power be vulnerable, talk about their feelings, and lead friendships like the one between Rebecca and Keeley (Juno Temple). However, this character ticks all the boxes and continues to surprise fans episode after episode.
Season 3 of Ted Lasso returned after a long hiatus, bringing new episodes that have allowed us to learn more about these beloved characters. Of course, among them is Rebecca. The season is now halfway through its course and Rebecca Welton has continued to shine time and time again.
Here are Rebecca Welton’s best moments on Ted Lasso Season 3 so far.
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Speech to Zava
From the beginning of Ted Lasso Season 3, it became very obvious that Rebecca Welton was all about winning and beating Rupert’s team. This has changed throughout the episodes as she realizes what truly matters in her team. However, this desire to win and leave her ex-husband as the biggest loser brought on one of the best scenes and one of Waddingham’s best performances.
During Season 3 Episode 2, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea,” Rebecca confronts a possible new player, Zava, in the men’s bathroom. Without necessarily yelling but using the perfect tone to get her point across, she points out he is a coward for going with a team that will win when he could be going for the underdog (Richmond). Later on, we learn that it was her speech that persuaded Zava to join her team. It goes to show how powerful and convincing Rebecca can be.
Confronting Rupert
Rebecca Welton’s character is introduced as the woman who took her ex-husband’s football (soccer) team to destroy the one thing he loved the most after cheating on her. After that, throughout the first two seasons of Ted Lasso, we have seen different moments in which Rebecca has had to face Rupert (Anthony Head). Most of the time, she was reminded of the pain he caused her, how he controlled her and the things she missed out on in her life because of this. However, things change during Season 3.
Even though she will still be very happy to beat Rupert’s team, there is a change in her. During Season 3 Episode 2, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea,” she sees Rupert with his assistant. History is repeating itself and he is once again cheating on his current wife. However, it doesn’t sit well with Rebecca that he is also doing this to his daughter (something she has experienced herself). It is then that she confronts him. Although Rupert believes he is superior and he is always in control of the situation, Rebecca surprises him by telling him she saw him with his assistant and he needs to “get your sh*t together.” This proves once more how much Rebecca has grown as a character.
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Realizing One of Her Dreams Has Been Crashed
Something that has always been very clear about Rebecca Welton is her desire to become a mother. Her relationship with her goddaughter, Nora, proved her maternal instinct is very strong and she would be a great mom. However, her relationship with Rupert proved time and time again that he wasn’t giving her that dream. In fact, we can clearly see how heartbroken she is when Rupert tells her he is going to have a baby with his new wife.
As Ted Lasso Season 3 continues to explore topics discussed in previous seasons, it touches upon Rebecca’s desire once more. At first, it is mentioned when Rebecca visits a psychic who tells her she will have a family. However, during Season 3 Episode 5, “Signs,” it is revealed after a doctor’s visit that she cannot have children. Waddingham delivers one of the best performances thus far in the season. Without having to say much, her facial expressions and her eyes tell us everything we need to know: Rebecca is heartbroken.
Ted Lasso writers don’t do anything at random, so chances are this arch will be revisited and something will happen to change Rebecca’s life.
Amsterdam
Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 6, “Sunflowers,” is a revelation for Rebecca Welton. After falling into the canal, she finds herself spending the night with a strange man. As a female viewer, this definitely seems surreal because there is no way a woman would trust a stranger the way Rebecca does in this episode. However, it helps her storyline as she realizes it is time to let go of what hurt her and find someone who will take care of her and to whom, she can take of as well.
During this episode, Rebecca lets loose. Her hair is down and she is wearing a flowy dress, showcasing she is relaxed and not holding her posture as we usually see her. She sings, which is always a plus when it comes to Waddingham. And in the end, she comes back to her team as a more relaxed woman. She sits with them and tells/sings to Ted that everything is okay.
It is this episode that gives Rebecca the space to be herself, as Sassy once said “the real Rebecca is silly,” and continue growing as a character.
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Love Bombing
Character growth is one of the most important parts of a narrative. It is what allows us as fans to connect with the show and relate to the characters. With Rebecca Welton, this has been a constant since the beginning. But it seems as if Ted Lasso Season 3 is set on proving this woman isn’t the same woman we met on Season 1. Most of this growth has come through the things she says.
During Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 7, “The Strings That Bind Us,” there is a particular conversation between Rebecca and Keeley that allows us to witness this. As Rebecca explains love bombing to Keeley, we see her thought process has changed. From the woman who had fallen for Rupert’s charm even though he was married to a woman who is able to see when there are red flags in her best friend’s relationship. Instead of being blind to what is around her, Rebecca is more aware of how relationships should be and what she wants in her life.
Meeting Sam’s Father
Season 2 of Ted Lasso surprised most fans when Rebecca Welton had an affair with football player Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh). The fandom was immediately split in two: those who were for the affair and those who were against it. Before the season ended, Rebecca ended the affair as well.
Season 3 Episode 7, “The Strings That Bind Us,” introduced the world to Sam’s father, a character who had been mentioned many times before and who was different to other football players’ fathers we had seen in the past. One of the best moments of the episode happens when his father meets Rebecca. It becomes obvious that he knew about the affair and Rebecca awkwardly reacts to this. It proves once more that Hanna Waddingham was made to be part of a comedy series and knows exactly how to play for the camera.
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Ted Lasso is currently streaming on Apple TV+.
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