Hannah Waddingham’s career has been going gangbusters since Ted Lasso, and she has her pick of projects and offers. It feels like she’s saying “yes” to almost everything. Which is fine with me – she’s not an ingénue, she’s a 49 year old working actress who got her biggest break three years ago. All of which to say, she has a small role in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, which comes out in May. She apparently enjoyed her time working with Tom Cruise (I imagine she towered over him).
Hannah Waddingham appeared on the Christmas episode of ITV’s “James Martin’s Saturday Morning” (via The Independent) and revealed she’s ready to defend Tom Cruise against his critics after working with the Oscar nominee on the upcoming “Mission: Impossible 8.” It was announced in March that the “Ted Lasso” Emmy winner was joining Cruise and the “Mission: Impossible” gang in the eighth installment, which was originally designed as the second part to “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.”
Waddingham’s “Mission: Impossible 8” character has not yet been revealed, but she said she spent five intense days with Cruise filming the action tentpole on the USS George H.W. Bush fighter carrier. She revealed she still has “another kind of main scene” to shoot with Cruise once production restarts.
“I have to say, I have a real problem with anybody that goes at [Tom Cruise] now,” Waddingham said. “Having met him and having spent five days intensely…He is without doubt one of the loveliest and encouraging, positive and inspiring human beings I have ever met. Isn’t he gorgeous? I have no time for anyone saying anything about him.”
Waddingham told SiriusXM earlier this month that she grew up on boats because her father was in the river police her entire life, so she was more than eager to film her “Mission: Impossible 8” scenes while on an actual fighter carrier. “I know this world so much,” she remembered saying to Cruise and the film’s director, Christopher McQuarrie. “I’ve got this down. Don’t worry. I’m used to brushing my teeth in a tiny little cabin.”
People are mad that she’s defending a guy in a cult, and I get that. But let me also say that while Tom Cruise is absolutely in a cult (and he’s an important, privileged person in that cult), he’s also super-respected within the industry because of his professionalism and generosity towards his fellow actors. Like, Emily Blunt adores Tom. Timothee Chalamet adores Tom. Kirstin Dunst adores Tom. SAG-AFTRA adores Tom too, they used him as an intermediary with the studios during the strike. Plus, I always get the feeling that British people just don’t “get” why Scientology is so f–king weird and how it’s such a big thing in LA.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
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- ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Tom Cruise attends the Global Premiere of Paramount Pictures’ ”Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” at Auditorium della Conciliazione on June 19, 2023 in Rome, Italy.,Image: 784329234, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Cristiano Minichiello / AGF Foto / Avalon
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- Italy, Rome, June 19th, 2023. World premiere of the action movie ‘Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning part one’ in Spanish Steps. Pictured: Tom Cruise,Image: 784338606, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: **** World right excluding Italy ****, Model Release: no, Credit line: Fabio Mazzarella / Agenzia Sintesi / Avalon
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- UK premiere of ‘Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ in Leicester Square. Featuring: Tom Cruise Where: London, United Kingdom When: 22 Jun 2023 Credit: Nils Jorgensen/INSTARimages
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- Apple TV+ event to celebrate the launch of “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas” and “The Velveteen Rabbit”, at Everyman Borough Yards, London Featuring: Hannah Waddingham Where: London, United Kingdom When: 22 Nov 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Hannah Waddingham on ‘Good Morning America’ to talk about new Christmas special ‘Hannah Waddingham’s Holiday Special Home for Christmas’ in New York Featuring: Hannah Waddingham Where: New York, United States When: 19 Dec 2023 Credit: Roger Wong/INSTARimages
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- Hannah Waddingham visits the ‘Sherri Shepherd Show’ to talk about new Christmas special ‘Hannah Waddingham’s Holiday Special Home For Christmas’ in New York Featuring: Hannah Waddingham Where: New York, United States When: 19 Dec 2023 Credit: Roger Wong/INSTARimages
I don’t know her, but that tidbit about growing up on boats because her dad was in the river police was interesting. I guess that’s a thing there. We have water police and coast guard but it’s not exactly family friendly. Anyway, I’ve enjoyed Annika so maybe that’s why I’m interested.
Tom really can’t be discussed dispassionately, it’s too heated. He’s good at his job, he’s good to workers and colleagues, AND he’s a cult leader. People can’t even say if they watch the movies or not. Way too hard..
It’s such cognitive dissonance for me. I’d always enjoyed his movies, thought he was one of the last real Movie Stars and, yeah, pretty much everyone loves him. Then we get the Scientology, Nicole and Katie, not seeing Siri stuff.
Hey Hannah that’s how a cult recruits. They are charming and positive until you sign up then not so much. Steer clear!
Remember the movie hasn’t come out yet. And she said she still has scenes to film with him. So of course she’s defending him now. Because she wants to continue to work. Why do you think that most actors who accuse creators, producers or directors of abuse. They only do it way after the production is done and everybody has moved on. Because they still want to work.
he doesn’t abuse his costars, so of course they think he’s nice. but his household staff is sea org and I doubt he is as kind to them. and even if he is, that doesn’t negate the harmful effects of scientology and his bestie David Miscavige.
Any chance HW is contractually obligated to “say nice things” about TC and the film?
Here’s my thinking: TC is a bit intense about his public image; Scientology is a cult. They’re both lawyered up. I could see them policing the free speech of anyone who gets close.
Or maybe Robert Phillips and SarchCS are right, that HW feels she needs to be be circumspect to protect her immediate and future career prospects?
I don’t know in the UK, but in Europe Scientology is not that popular, I mean we already have the Pope, and one is more than enough 😅
About Tom Cruise.
I read that he is also super nice with the press, he always brings the A game, this is why he has been around for so long.
He is the only one of his generation who no matter what is still respected.
Don’t know if the word respected is correct. They just know he brings in the money. And that’s all all of Hollywood cares about.
Tom Cruise heads into any screener, press meeting prepared to promote his work. He can do the same interview with 100 different interviewers and still make it look fresh. He makes a point of remembering different interviews with various outlets, the names of crew and will stay late to finish interviews. He is professional and supportive to his costars. I loved Emily Blunts assessment of working with Tim Cruise in a movie I enjoyed Edge of Tomorrow.
I read Rob Lowe’s book a few years ago and it covered how Tom Cruise, Matt
Dillon, Patrick Swayze and the Rumblefish group of actors got their start. Lowe said Cruise just started out acting as a ‘star’ where all the other young actors were willing to share hotel rooms
Tom has always been a professional and knows how to play the game. His costars have never said anything bad about him and vice versa. He knows to keep Scientology private. I don’t think she is being paid to say nice things. He seems like a nice guy to work with.
Love what Thandiwe Newton had to say about him! Also he got into trouble when he fired his long term publicist and didn’t keep his scientology private. Couch jumping anyone remember?
Except maybe Brad F Pitt.
So if she likes Tom, fine. He seems like a fine coworker. Saying she doesn’t have time for anyone who says something about him was silly. As in, if there are people who’s lives have been ruined by Scientology, they should be allowed to say something about Tom if they want.
THIS. Someone really should tell her THIS. I am eternally sad because I liked Hannah.
I really love HW but hate that she said this.
It would have been fine if she said he was great to work with, as that seems to be true.
But I just picture Nicole and Katie looking at her like “really? you think it’s a problem if we have something to say about him?”
There have been reports from others that he is difficult to work with. Possibly, he has favorites that he is nicer to; especially those more well known. She doesn’t have a clue what others experience with him has been.
I’m sure he’s great to work with! So we’re Ted Bundy and the killer nurse!
If I were in HW’s position, I would have probably said something similar but much more tempered. I wouldn’t have criticized others who are critical of TC. I’d just say my experience. She’s getting into some really crappy territory defending this guy.
Back in the day there was an absolutely gorgeous man who worked at our government agency. Approx. 99% of the women in our building were completely googoo eyed over this man, myself included…until he was arrested for beating his 2 year old stepson to death because the stepson wasn’t catching on to potty training fast enough.
Many people show you what they want you to see. Tom is one of those people. He masks with severe professionalism and expensive gifts. He wants you to keep looking where he is pointing instead of at him.
Lastly, whew, his hair in that photo has to be a warning/SOS from his hair stylist.
Given her Earthsh*t support, I’m thinking she might be willing to overlook some things that others would steer clear of. I enjoy her acting.
Is this what she thinks she has to do to keep her career going on its current trajectory.
Just because someone who has done awful things to others hasn’t done them to me doesn’t mean I won’t judge them for what they have done to others.
Well said.
One question; how can a loving, encouraging inspiring man cut off his little girl because she was apparently labeled a suppressive person?
Yeah, after she is over 18 I would love to hear Siri’s opinion of him. Of course she will be getting love bombed as he tries to drag her back into a cult. He’s in a cult lady. That makes it a NO for me.
I never quite saw it as him cutting her off 100% – I think it was 50/50. Meaning – I think Katie knew Tom was very tight with CO$ and did not want Suri to be exposed to any of it. I think Katie used her knowledge of Tom’s CO$ involvement & misdeeds as leverage to keep him & the creepy cult out of Suri’s life. And I think that a ong with that, Tom knew he’d never be able to “convert” Suri (as he did his children with Nicole Kidman) – so it was used as an “excuse,” he walked away.
As long as he’s in that cult, it’s a no for me. But I must admit that the Mssion Impossible movies are great.
I watched the latest one on a plane recently having seen none of them before. I got completely hooked and came home and watched a bunch that stream. So entertaining and gorgeous scenery.
Okay I’ll give him a pass on abandoning his 6 year old b/c her mom removed her from his cult and agreeing to have the cult turn his older kids against their own mom simply b/c again/ she left the cult (no I won’t, but I will say, no matter who you are, family can be complicated).
But the sea org members are basically enslaved to him- and he does not treat them, and anyone in the cult who doesn’t sufficiently kiss his ass, well. He’s a tyrant – per inner sea org stories that have been reported.
To me this is very much – well he’s abusive- but not to me- so- he’s a really great guy.
Also- Scientologists have been known to kill DOGS of journalists who write critical things about the cult.
KILL DOGS
And don’t give me/ well he doesn’t know.
If you’re the crowned prince of a cult – and crimes and atrocities are carried out in the cult’s name. And you can’t be bothered to know or not if that is happening.
You are on the side of evil.
Sorry guys, I feel strongly about this, even early on Sunday morning.
Well said, Ariel. 👏👏👏
I remember that whole Katie Holmes escape saga with the burner phones and then what’s happened with his older kids and Nicole Kidman. Yeah, no to Tom Cruise and the whole Scientology mess, throw it all in the trash can. But I guess since Hannah supports William and his earthshot dalliance she’s willing to overlook a lot.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
See I’m the kind of person that needs more than 5 days with a person before publicly having their back like that. It’s just foolish and she’s older than me, I think she should know better. I need to see how someone behaves over years to feel this strongly about their character. 5 days?! Just makes me roll my eyes. Sure say your experience was great but save all this for someone else…
He used to be gorgeous years ago. Not so much anymore.
She still has to film a big scene with him and also probably do a press tour so she can’t trash him publicly yet.
She doesn’t have to trash him, just not be a suck up. And the implied criticism of others reveals a real lack of empathy.
Things she could have said::
He’s so great to work with. Super professional. A real actors actor. He’s made me feel welcome. He inspired me to really bring my all to the role.
Etc.
Instead, she got severely defensive and basically demanded no one say one bad thing about a leader of a dangerous, murderous cult.
I hope she doesn’t run into Nicole or Katie because that would be 🎶awkwaaaard🎶.
It’s Tom Cruise, an Operating Thetan at the highest level of Scientology. If you are not praising him to the high heavens then you are trashing him. He’s very black and white in his stupidity. Wait till he starts asking Hannah to check out Scientology and she demures. He doesn’t like no.
Disappointing but not unexpected. She’s an older actress finally hitting huge success, hired into a major franchise that he controls, she still has to work with him, of course he’s going to say nice things. Plus, let’s all be honest, she’s getting movie star Tom Cruise, not abusive cult leader Tom Cruise. Of course he’s not making HER scrub his floors with a toothbrush.
I also don’t know if many people truly know all of the abuses Scientology is accused of, I think most people think oh it’s a little weird but whatever. And then Tom turns on the charm and all is well on set. Not everyone has taken a deep dive into it that many of us here have.
Well, she doesn’t have to be married to him.
Well recruiting for Scientology wouldn’t work as well if one of their main representatives was hated by most of his co-workers.
BS. Tom Cruise is a controlling cult Leader. He knows what CoS does.
She must be professional because she’s working with him, and has power in HW.
She certainly does not need to publicly kiss his arse like this.
I do not support her for this.
Agreed. They openly encourage lying in that cult, harassing, and ruining families. And he says “it’s a beautiful religion.” It’s a controlling, violent, nasty cult and Tom Cruise is a severely narcissistic idiot.
On the living on a boat. England has lots of canals, which is how freight moved back before trains. There are still lots of them and people live on houseboats. I knew about this, but found out more about a when someone on a message board complained about having a hard time finding a midwife willing to do a home birth on a boat. Whole bunch of Brits who lived on boats popped in to offer advice, so I guess it is a thing.
This interview has been out for several weeks now. I find it disingenuous and hypocritical to hold Tom Cruise accountable for the totality of CoS. Would you blame a devout Catholic for supporting the Catholic church and the pope in light of the way they protected molesting priests? Hannah spoke to Tom’s professionalism, which after forty years in the business remains in tact. His family and his faith are his business.
He’s not just a devout Scientologist, by all accounts he’s second in command, the “vice-pope” if you will and fully aware and complicit in the ongoing abuse, so yes I do believe he should be held fully accountable. He doesn’t just show up to mass on a given Sunday. Scientology is his daily life.
And how would you like his accountability to play out? I mentioned the Catholic church only because they have been exposed as having shielded and protected predatory members of their fold for decades. The practice of denying SA allegations and transferring the accused from parish to parish is well known. Those who witnessed the abuse, and there are untold thousands, remained loyal to the church.
CoS is not alone in their abuse of power and high ranking he may be within the organization, Tom Cruise has yet to be implicated of any wrongdoing in his professional role as an actor. But my question stands: What do you want from Tom Cruise as it pertains to his ‘daily life’ in CoS?
Co$ abuses its members. Period. It rips them off financially, forces them to labour like slaves, incessantly harasses and threatens those who leave, and forces women who get pregnant without permission to have abortions. Low-level members are routinely beaten, poorly-fed and housed, and kept in abject poverty. I suggest you read Tony Ortega’s columns in the Village Voice, Mike Rinder’s book on escaping Scientology as well as Shelley Miscavige’s book (she’s the niece of monster David Miscavige). You will be truly horrified. Scientology is nothing like a religion, it preys on the emotionally and psychologically vulnerable to enrich the leaders.
I am not a CoS apologist or supporter by any means. Their mistreatment of members is well-known and well-documented. Religion, cult, organization, these all describe the same thing. Within each of these entities some people benefit while millions more suffer. I think it’s the added cult of celebrity – Cruise, Travolta, etc -that makes CoS all the more egregious.
@Barnabus “What do you want from Tom Cruise as it pertains to his ‘daily life’ in CoS?” Umm, maybe get out of that sh*t and warn others to stay away? Instead of still trying to recruit?
Hannah Waddingham is a 49 year old woman fully capable of making her own decisions.
“Would you blame a devout Catholic for supporting the Catholic church and the pope in light of the way they protected molesting priests? ”
Yes. Kind of. I don’t run around yelling at/about devout Catholics, but personally I have a HUGE problem with the Catholic church because of what they did. The way they shuffled those rapists around to new churches where they inevitably found fresh victims vs PROTECTING the most vulnerable of their flock will never be forgivable.
She is a fine actress. I loved her in Ted Lasso, but Hannah is turning out to be a disappointment to me. Maybe I expected her to have better discernment. That’s my fault for ascribing her character’s qualities for her own.
Completely agree, between this and her fawning over the BRF and William, it’s like “no thanks”. As a 49 yr old finally having her big moment, I can understand her not being critical of coworkers or the industry but it doesn’t mean she has to swing to the other extreme and kiss butt. Next she will be telling people to lay off Prince Andrew.
Totally. Especially baffled as she has a little daughter so the whole Never seeing Siri Again because she is an SP and separating his other kids’ mom from her at a similar age in the previous marriage should be heartbreaking to any mom. I get that one would not trash talk him when you have to work for him but I would have thought she would say diplomatically charming neutral things such as “It was easy to work with him”, or “he was helpful” and been strategically quiet on everything else.
I don’t think anyone can fault Tom Cruise’s professionalism and skill as an actor, and seems like he gives 100% while working. These same traits, however, may be a bit too intense and disturbing in a controlling organization like Scientology. I like Waddingham in Ted Lasso, but don’t know much else about her. Kinda get a woman for the patriarchy vibes but again, don’t really know.
I hope I’m wrong. But this sounds like she’s in the love bombing phase of Scientology recruitment.
I always see Tom Cruise as two sides person and professional.
I would run a mile if he was interested in me personally. His involvement in Scientology is well documented, you know what you’re getting yourself into .
However, as a professional Adult . If I was asked to work with him I would because he likes to work with the best and the experience would be invaluable.
And like other people I have had to work with thought were vile , you just suck it up .. Yes does makes me a hypocrite and I will own that .
We have Scientology in Britain too, there’s a huge Scientology centre in London, we absolutely are aware of how dangerous it is and what a cult it is. Scientology hasn’t taken as much of an old just because Britain is a very non-religious country in general, but being British is no excuse. Brits are just as aware of what Scientology is as Americans are. This has nothing to do with Hannah being British, just to do with her being a very ambitious actress who knows what side her bread is buttered.
So do people in the industry (Brits or not) not know that Tom literally keeps cult slaves in his house, or do they just not care?
He has shown PLENTY about himself. He thinks he is a demi God. He is a sexist. A homophobe. He capes for family abuse, even after his childhood. He sh*#ts on mental health because people should use his magic cans instead. He leads a cult that steals millions and ruins people’s lives. I don’t care if he makes the best movie in the world. I will never pay a dollar to anything associated with him.
She has awful taste in men – William, Tom? Two of the most repulsive men.