Hannah Waddingham will receive the Crystal Award for Advocacy in TV at the 2026 WIF Honors gala on Thursday, Nov. 5, according to Variety. The ceremony will take place at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
Waddingham, an Emmy-winning actress best known for playing Rebecca Welton on “Ted Lasso,” is being recognized for a career that WIF (formerly Women in Film) says embodies the advocacy mission behind the honor. WIF leadership points directly to her character, a club owner trying to earn respect in the male-dominated world of professional soccer, in explaining the choice.
The Crystal Award and why Waddingham was chosen
WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer tied the honor to both Waddingham’s on-screen role and her work off camera. “Hannah Waddingham’s career reflects the spirit of the Crystal Award for Advocacy in TV, and we’re thrilled to be honoring her formidable achievements and impact,” Schaffer said. “In ‘Ted Lasso,’ Hannah’s powerful portrayal of Rebecca Welton, a woman fighting to be taken seriously in the male-dominated world of professional sports, echoes the barriers women still face in the entertainment industry. Off-screen, Hannah uses her powerful platform to advocate for gender equality.”
The statement frames the award as recognition that extends beyond a single performance, connecting Waddingham’s fictional battles on “Ted Lasso” to the real gender-equality advocacy Schaffer credits her with off-screen.
The role earned Waddingham a 2021 Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, and she returned as Rebecca for the show’s fourth season, which ran on Apple TV from Aug. 5 to Oct. 7.
Gala details and fellow honorees
Waddingham joins a lineup of honorees announced this week. Pamela Abdy will receive the Vanguard Award from filmmaker Nancy Meyers, Adria Arjona will accept the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award and Salma Hayek Pinault will receive the Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award from Fonda herself.
Emmy Rossum will also take the stage, presenting the Crystal Award for Advocacy in Film to director Beth de Araújo and Gemma Chan, who will be honored in absentia, for their work on “Josephine,” Variety reported.
Victoria Alonso and Andrea Nelson Meigs co-chair the gala, which is presented by Max Mara. The night doubles as WIF’s biggest annual fundraiser, and the money raised supports the organization’s advocacy, research and career programs for women working in film and TV.
What’s next
Waddingham will formally accept the Crystal Award for Advocacy in TV when the WIF Honors gala gets underway Nov. 5 at The Beverly Hilton. WIF has not yet said who will present her award.
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