Per Variety, stage and screen star Hannah Waddingham will host the Olivier Awards April 2. The honors recognize the best in West End theatre.

Waddingham is a three-time Olivier nominee for her work in Spamalot, A Little Night Music, and Kiss Me, Kate; and an Emmy winner for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso. She takes over hosting duties from comedian Jason Manford, who has hosted the ceremony for five consecutive years.

Past hosts of the Olivier Awards ceremony have included Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton, Clive Anderson, Gemma Arterton, Stephen Mangan, Hugh Bonneville, Sheridan Smith, Lenny Henry, and Catherine Tate. 

The Olivier Awards, which are the West End's top theatrical honors, were established in 1976 as the Society of West End Theatre Awards. Renamed for the beloved British actor Laurence Olivier in 1984, they are considered to be the equivalent of Broadway's Tony Awards, with equivalent television coverage on the public broadcasting channel ITV.

The 47th Annual Olivier Awards will be held at the Royal Albert Hall, with nominations to be released this spring.