The cast of Ted Lasso have reunited for Hannah Waddingham’s Apple TV+ Home For Christmas special.
Recorded live at The Coliseum in London, the one-hour special, which is out now, features the Ted Lasso star ringing in the season with musical performances of beloved Christmas classics.
And fans of the hit comedy series will be delighted to see Hannah back with the AFC Richmond crew with show lead Jason Sudeikis (Ted) making a cameo alongside favourites Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent), and Juno Temple (Keeley Jones).
Brendan Hunt who played Coach Beard, Lasso’s grounded, longtime assistant and friend and AFC’s Richmond’s former kit man Nick Mohammed as Nathan “Nate” Shelley also star.
Brendan, James Lance (Trent Crimm), Nick, Kola Bokinni (Isaac McAdoo) and Billy Harris (Colin Hughes) appear on stage to help the actress with their rendition of The Man with the Bag.
Back together: The cast of Ted Lasso have reunited for Hannah Waddingham’s Apple TV+ Home For Christmas special
Supportive: Earlier this week, Hannah revealed the sweet reason behind Jason’s feature in her special as he stars as a taxi driver ready to take her home
Phil Dunster (Jamie Tartt) also shows off his impressive vocals in Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Earlier this week, Hannah revealed the sweet reason behind Jason’s feature in her special as he stars as a taxi driver ready to take her home after her big night on the stage.
The West End star told Virgin Radio: ‘[Jason] had to be in it for me. He’s so much of the reason why I’m here, and he knows I love him to bits. I went to him with this idea and said, ‘right at the end, I just want it to be, you’re just sealing it all.’
After filming in the London Coliseum, Hannah jetted over to LA to film with Brett, Juno and Jason.
‘I wrote each of them, with the three of them. So yeah, it’s a very personal thing’. she said.
The special has already won a string of positive reviews from critics who say the Emmy-winner is now set for ‘world domination’ for her ‘perfectly pitched performance in more ways than one’.
The Independent praised it as ‘like an old-fashioned variety show’ and say it is ‘reminiscent of An Audience with’ while the Guardian said ‘not even the Grinch could bah-humbug’ it.
Joining Hannah on stage is Sam Ryder , Luke Evans , and Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr.
Reunion: Recorded live at The Coliseum in London , the one-hour special, which is out now, features the Ted Lasso star ringing in the season with performances of Christmas classics
Cast: Fans of the hit comedy series will be delighted to see Hannah back with the AFC Richmond crew Juno Temple (Keeley Jones)
Iconic: Brendan Hunt who played Coach Beard, Lasso’s grounded, longtime assistant and friend has a cameo
Here they are: Brendan, James Lance (Trent Crimm), Nick, Kola Bokinni (Isaac McAdoo) and Billy Harris (Colin Hughes) appear on stage to help the actress with The Man with the Bag
It’s a hit: The Ted Lasso actress stars in Hannah Waddingham : Home for Christmas, which has received rave reviews on Apple TV
Cute: Hannah’s Ted Lasso co-stars joined her for the show, as well as National Treasure Sam Ryder
The Ted Lasso actress stars in Hannah Waddingham : Home for Christmas, which debuts today on Apple TV
There are also appearances from additional performers including the English National Opera, the London Gay Men’s Chorus, The Fabulous Lounge Swingers and an 18-piece band.
Along the way, Hannah shares her personal journey to this magical moment with anecdotes and memories about her own holiday experiences.
Speaking to Forbes, Hannah said that in pitching the tone of special, she told executives that it would be, ‘somewhere between Dean Martin and Carol Burnett [shows],’ describing it as, ‘that style of having people over for the holidays, dropping in in their finery.
‘I mean, I feel like it’s a bygone era with people in beautiful dinner jackets and beautiful dresses, so I was keen for the band to be in their tuxes and my backing vocalists to feel a million dollars.’
And she certainly achieved her goal, in the show she opts for an array of red and gold festive outfits which she pairs with huge heels and old Hollywood make-up.
‘Already an undisputed legend and icon, Waddingham has ascended even further into the stratosphere with this special, something she confessed had been a lifelong dream of hers to do,’ Yahoo said of the episode.
‘She’s smashed it out of the park, proving once again why she is the bright shining star she is. As well as killer, show-stopping vocals Waddingham also brings her characteristic warmth, humour, and infectious energy to the 45-minute special,’ the review adds.
‘Heralding the incipient tsunami of holiday programming, this may be the one program to watch, perhaps while preparing Thanksgiving dinner,’ the Wall Street Journal said.
‘Waddingham doesn’t need to prove herself to anyone anymore. Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas makes that clear,’ Screen Speck said.