Hannah Waddingham had glowing words of praise for Tom Cruise after working with him on the forthcoming film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.
The Emmy-winning actress, 49, appeared this week on the ITV series James Martin’s Saturday Morning, where her 61-year-old costar was brought up.
The London native said she spent ‘five intense days’ working with the actor on the Christopher McQuarrie-directed action film on the USS George H.W. Bush supercarrier, with ‘no fineries’ and ‘all this mucking in’ amid production.
‘I have to say, I have a real problem with anybody that goes at him now,’ said Waddingham, who plays Rebecca Welton on Ted Lasso. ‘I have no time for anyone saying anything about him.’
She said of the Hollywood stalwart: ‘He is without doubt one of the loveliest and encouraging, positive and inspiring human beings I have ever met. Isn’t he gorgeous?’
Hannah Waddingham, 49, had glowing words of praise for Tom Cruise, 61, after working with him on the forthcoming Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. Pictured last month in London
Waddingham said of the Hollywood stalwart: ‘He is without doubt one of the loveliest and encouraging, positive and inspiring human beings I have ever met.’ Pictured in NYC in July
In recent years, the A-list actor’s generosity with colleagues has piqued the interest and taste buds of fans, amid news he sends around 300 show business peers a white chocolate coconut bundt cake for the holidays each year.
The cakes, which sell for around $126, are from the Woodland Hills, California family business Doan’s Bakery, and include white chocolate, cream cheese frosting and coconut flakes.
Among the celebrities who confirm they have been sent the cake include Tom Hanks, Angela Bassett, Kirsten Dunst, Rosie O’Donnell and Jon Hamm; as well as Mission: Impossible’s Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff.
Waddingham, who has been on the promotional trail for her Apple TV+ musical special Home for Christmas, opened up further on her experience filming Mission: Impossible 8 on the naval fighter carrier.
Appearing on SiriusXM last week, Waddingham said her upbringing near the water helped her acclimate to filming.
Waddingham said she told Cruise and McQuarrie: ‘I know this world so much. I’ve got this down. Don’t worry. I’m used to brushing my teeth in a tiny little cabin.’
In the interview, Waddingham said she is due to film another scene alongside Cruise for the action film in the coming year.
Waddingham previously spoke about her strong chemistry with Cruise in an interview on Live with Kelly and Mark this past March 17.
Waddingham, who has been on the promotional trail for her Apple TV+ musical special Home for Christmas, was pictured in NYC on December 19
In recent years, the A-list actor’s generosity with colleagues has piqued the interest and taste buds of fans, amid news he sends around 300 show business peers a white chocolate coconut bundt cake for the holidays each year
The cakes, which sell for around $126, are from the Woodland Hills, California family business Doan’s Bakery, and include white chocolate, cream cheese frosting and coconut flakes
‘I’ve met plenty of fabulous people,’ Waddingham said. ‘He is one of, if not the most inspiring, encouraging, warm, tactile, friendly to everyone, engaging’ people.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning features a star-studded ensemble cast alongside Cruise and Waddingham.
The eighth and last installment in the cinematic franchise includes Atwell, Klementieff, Vanessa Kirby, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Nick Offerman, Esai Morales and Holt McCallany.
It is due in theaters May 23, 2025 after facing lulls in production due to this year’s SAG-AFTRA strike.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One hit theaters this past July, taking in more than $567 million in global box office revenues, according to Box Office Mojo.
