Hannah Waddingham won’t put up with Tom Cruise bashing

Last Updated on January 12, 2024

Tom Cruise can be a divisive figure; we here at JoBlo love the guy but he definitely has his critics, primarily those who hit at his personal life and dealings in Scientology. But if you take a look at any one of his insane stunts – or listen to his tirade against slip-ups during the Covid-19 pandemic that shut down production on Dead Reckoning – you’ll know this guy is the real deal when it comes to making movies. And if you have anything bad to say about the guy’s work ethic, you’ll have to answer to M:I co-star Hannah Waddingham.

Hannah Waddingham, who co-stars in 2025’s sequel to Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One – which has yet to be officially named, but we feel like the fates might align on this one… – suggested that her views on Tom Cruise changed while working with him on the eighth installment of the M:I franchise. Appearing on the series James Martin’s Saturday Morning over the holiday break, she said, “I have to say, I have a real problem with anybody that goes at him now.” Waddinham spent five days filming with the star aboard the George W.H. Bush fighter carrier. She added, “He is without doubt one of the loveliest and encouraging, positive and inspiring human beings I have ever met. Isn’t he gorgeous? I have no time for anyone saying anything about him.”

The upcoming Mission: Impossible will not only of course bring back Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt – who he first played back in 1996 – but a number of other franchise favorites, like Ving Rhames as Luther and Simon Pegg as Benji. Also returning will be Hayley Atwell, Henry Czerny, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, and Esai Morales, some of whom only first appeared in the most recent installment. Joining Hannah Waddingham as newcomers will be Janet McTeer and Lucy Tulugarjuk, all in undisclosed roles.

While we don’t know for sure if Ted Lasso will return for a fourth season, Hannah Waddingham is riding a much-deserved wave, with two major productions – action-comedy The Fall Guy and yet another Garfield movie – slated for 2024.

Does Tom Cruise’s personal life interfere with you enjoying his movies? Should it have an impact at all? Let us know your thoughts below.