Top 10 Best Rebecca Moments on Ted Lasso

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Rebecca Moments on Ted Lasso.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the moments that made Rebecca Welton such a great character and actress Hannah Waddingham an Emmy winner. Keep in mind that there will be spoilers from the first two seasons.

What’s your favorite Rebecca moment? Let us know in the comments.

Getting AFC Richmond in her divorce, Rebecca immediately shakes things up by firing the head coach in a totally boss manner. She proceeds to replace him with Ted, even though he’s known for coaching a different kind of football. Nevertheless, it appears that Ted’s optimism and Rebecca’s ability to command a room might make a winning combination. That’s not what Rebecca wants, however. She reveals to Higgins that she only hired Ted to sabotage the team and hurt her ex-husband. Rebecca easily could’ve come off as unlikely and villainous here. Thanks to Welton’s comedic timing and her character’s understandable motivations, though, we quickly connect with Rebecca. We don’t root for her to succeed in this endeavor, but we do hope to see her find happiness.

Throughout the first season, Rebecca goes from trying to destroy the team to rebuilding it into something better. By the time Rebecca finds redemption, though, it appears it may be too late for Richmond. In the season finale, Rebecca gets what she initially thought she wanted when the team loses a crucial game and Ted offers to quit. Rebecca rejects Ted’s resignation, insisting that he stay onboard and that they reclaim Richmond’s glory next season. It goes to show just how much Rebecca has changed since we met her, but two things remain the same. First, Rebecca is a natural leader, even if she occasionally needs somebody to lead her in the right direction. Second, Rebecca should be more cautious of Ted’s sensitive taste buds.

Mirroring real-world issues, Sam refuses to further participate in a marketing campaign for Richmond’s sponsor, learning that their parent company is polluting his home country. Rebecca is forced to choose between one of her players and the almighty dollar. With encouragement from her goddaughter Nora, Rebecca writes an email to CEO Richard Cole, letting him know who’s the boss. We personally like Nora’s version better, but Rebecca does borrow one line as her final mic drop. Rebecca isn’t the only one who stands by Sam, as the whole team protests Dubai Air on the field. Rebecca couldn’t be prouder of her team and we couldn’t be prouder of Rebecca when she ignores Richard’s call. Nora says it best:

We all had our theories about who Rebecca’s Bantr match would be, but even Hannah Waddingham was surprised by the Sam reveal. Actor Toheeb Jimoh apparently “had no clue” either. It’s a classic sitcom setup when the two finally meet up and come to a startling revelation. At the same time, the writers put a fresh spin on this familiar trope. Rebecca acknowledges upfront that this relationship probably won’t work, namely because she’s Sam’s boss. Nevertheless, the two can’t deny the mutual attraction and choose to see where it goes. Sam ultimately makes Rebecca happy, which leaves her with mixed feelings. In a bittersweet breakup, Rebecca decides she needs to be alone before she can be in another relationship.

“Ted Lasso” and Christmas, it’s a natural combination. This show is already so heartwarming, however, that it needed to go the extra mile for a holiday special like this. The episode delivers and Rebecca is one of the main reasons why. Like Ebenezer Scrooge, Rebecca saw the light the previous season. So, when Christmastime comes around, Rebecca spends the day giving back. Knowing that Ted will be alone on Christmas, she recruits him as her helper. They don’t just go door to door with a bag of toys. They give out multiple bags of toys! The experience is also Rebecca’s gift to Ted, as she understands what it’s like to be recently divorced around Christmas.
Who needs Elton John’s party when you have Rebecca’s singing chops?

Aside from her own failed marriage, Rebecca’s parents didn’t give her the highest expectations for romance. When her father passes, Rebecca tells her mother about his affairs. It’s a powerful, brilliantly edited moment that mirrors Ted’s father issues. Rebecca is shocked to learn that her mother knew about the cheating, leaving her feeling resentful towards both parents. Despite her daughter’s harsh words, Rebecca’s mother responds with love, support, and advice. During her eulogy, Rebecca isn’t sure what to say. As Ted arrives, she finds the perfect words, or song, we suppose. “Never Gonna Give You Up” not only sums up Rebecca’s love for her mother, but also her parents’ relationship. Others may grow sick of the song, but Rebecca’s mom can’t fall out of love.

Rebecca isn’t looking for friendship at the beginning of the series, but she quickly forms an unbreakable one with Keeley. Their friendship begins with a cactus, which Keeley gets for Rebecca after she prevents a tabloid story about her and Ted from going to print. Keeley doesn’t realize, however, that Rebecca was responsible for those misleading photos. While Rebecca can be prickly, Keeley gets to her soft center on the red carpet and on a weekend getaway. Even after Keeley learns about Rebecca’s plan, their friendship perseveres. Although upset, Keeley knows that Rebecca is better than this, encouraging her to do the right thing. If you’ve seen Waddingham and Juno Temple together in person, you know their onscreen friendship isn’t purely acting. It’s 100% genuine!

Although she starts as something of an ice queen, it isn’t long until Rebecca’s frozen heart begins to thaw. What better way to signify this turning power than with Elsa’s signature song? Like Elsa, Rebecca reveals a whole new side of herself by sharing her amazing singing voice. What’s more, “Let It Go” is about claiming your independence. While she’s been divorced for a while, Rebecca finally breaks free through her karaoke performance. For Ted, however, the lyrics summon other emotions that he’s been keeping inside. As Ted suffers a panic attack, Rebecca helps him to catch his breath. For anyone who thought Rebecca was the villain of the series, this is the moment that officially showed everyone her true colors.

Rebecca’s redemption arguably commences in episode four, as she puts on her annual charity gala without Rupert. Naturally, nothing goes according to plan. Singer Robbie Williams backs out of the event and when Rupert makes a surprise appearance, he suspiciously knows Robbie’s number. As Rebecca’s thunder is stolen, she lets her defenses down in front of Ted for the first time. Rebecca is even more open with Keeley, who can relate to being with a partner who hasn’t been entirely faithful. The audience begins to see Rebecca’s humanity, briefly forgetting about her revenge plan. With some further help from Ted and street artist Cam… Something, Rebecca ends the night on a high note while also learning a lesson about judging a book by its cover.

While Rebecca initially judges Ted, the audience judges Rebecca in the early episodes. Just as Ted surprises Rebecca, though, Rebecca surprises us, especially in Season One’s penultimate episode. Usually, when a character keeps a secret, it comes out at the worst time against their will, leading to breakups and feelings of betrayal. “Ted Lasso” defies all expectations, however. Rebecca outright tells Ted the truth, baring her soul with a tear-jerking apology. Ted is nearly moved to tears as well, but he quickly forgives Rebecca, understanding what drove her to this. Ted’s response catches Rebecca off guard, but given everything these two have been through together, their reconciliation couldn’t feel more earned. You can see why this episode deservingly won Waddingham the Emmy.