HANNAH WADDINGHAM

'I don't apologise for who I am'

- Carolyn Hiblen

THE MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE STAR REFLECTS ON THE FREEDOM THAT COMES WITH TREADING HER OWN PATH

There’s just something about Hannah Waddingham. Not only is she a brilliant actress and impressive singer, but she’s the kind of woman young women aspire to be like - and be friends with! - strong, intelligent, fiercely protective of those she cares about and a role model, to name just a few of her attributes. While she's always been on the periphery of fame, Waddingham was in her forties before she finally found the kind of commercial success that would make her a household name. Yet, perhaps surprisingly, she’s grateful she didn’t hit the stratosphere sooner.

“It really does feel more special,” she told The Sun. “You know, I'll be 50 and can celebrate that and the fact that I've gone into everything with a full heart and given 100 per cent to it.

“And I'm glad that it didn’t happen when I was 20, 25, 30, because I know who I am. I don’t apologise for who I am.”

It wasn’t until she landed the role of Septa Unella in Game of Thrones in 2015 – the nun that paraded Lena Headey’s naked Cersei Lannister through the streets of King’s Landing ringing a bell and shouting “Shame!” - that Waddingham really started being recognised internationally.