Hannah Waddingham Jokes She ‘Mangled’ Herself Doing “Ride or Die” Stunts: ‘What Are You Doing? You’re 51, Woman!’ (Exclusive)

Hannah Waddingham, the Emmy-winning actress renowned for her dynamic performances, has spoken candidly about the physical demands of her latest role in the action-packed series *Ride or Die*, now available for streaming on Prime Video. The 51-year-old star revealed that she “completely mangled” herself during the filming process while insisting on undertaking as much of the stunt work as possible.

In a recent interview, Waddingham expressed her exuberance for the intense fight choreography, despite the bruises and fatigue that often accompanied it. “Don’t even get me started,” she laughed when discussing the rigorous nature of the action scenes. Her determination to perform her own stunts was driven by a desire for authenticity and to showcase her involvement. “I wanted people to see that it was me,” she said.

Drawing a parallel between her experiences in *Ride or Die* and previous competition series, Waddingham recounted her preparation for the fight sequences. “It’s a bit like *Strictly Come Dancing*,” she noted, referring to the popular UK show. Each week, she dedicated herself to mastering the choreography, feeling the toll on her body yet returning to the practice the very next day. “I was saying, ‘Guys, next time I agree to something this physical, can you just remind me how exhausting it is?’” she added.

Among her most memorable moments in the series is a particular fight scene set in a bathroom, featuring Waddingham in an elegant gold dress. She described her sense of pride in that segment, stating, “But I’m really proud of it.” Her commitment was evident as her stunt double expressed surprise at the energy Waddingham brought to the fight. “Hannah was literally biting the guy’s hand,” the double recounted, underscoring the enthusiastic approach Waddingham had taken during filming.

Waddingham has openly praised the professionals in the stunt community, acknowledging their expertise and kindness. “They’re extraordinary people, incredibly kind, protective, and always looking out for us,” she said. Her co-star, Octavia Spencer, echoed these sentiments, recounting her experience with three different stunt doubles throughout production. “I couldn’t have done it without them,” Spencer admitted, noting that retaining the authenticity of their performances was paramount to the success of the scenes.

Beyond the action sequences, Waddingham cherished the quieter, more intimate moments shared with Spencer. “I loved the days when we were in the car together on the VFX stage,” she shared, recalling the camaraderie that blossomed amidst the lighter scenes. The actresses often spent extended periods together, allowing their rapport to emerge naturally.

Spencer remarked on the importance of these emotional scenes, stating, “The emotion, the words, our physicality — all of it had to sell those scenes.” She recognised the balance that the action brought to the series, enhancing the depth of their characters’ relationships. “Thank goodness for all the action because it made everything exciting, but it was the conversations and memories that stood out,” she added.

The production of *Ride or Die* was no small feat, with extensive efforts required to bring its various elements to life. Waddingham noted that the intensity was constant. “It was never not intense,” she commented, revealing that multiple units worked simultaneously on set, including stunt crews and two additional filming units. “I’ve never been on a show with that many units running at the same time,” she remarked.

Although the show presents an array of stunning locations across Europe, Waddingham admitted that the glitzy appearances were largely due to careful production design. “Our production designers were incredible,” she said, highlighting the deceitful charm brought forth by the team. Prague served as a backdrop, yet skilled artistry transported the cast and crew into scenes that gave the impression of being in various picturesque European locales.

All eight episodes of *Ride or Die* can now be streamed on Prime Video, showcasing not just the thrilling action but also the genuine connections fostered between the cast and crew throughout the demanding filming process. Waddingham’s reflections affirm that while the fight scenes tested her physical limits, the overall experience cultivated lasting relationships and moments of joy that transcended the on-screen action.