Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (2024)

Love actually is, still, all around.

This holiday season marks the 20th anniversary of the beloved Christmas film "Love Actually," which first debuted in November 2003.

The 2-hour movie follows multiple love stories, most of which take place in the U.K., that overlap and intertwine with one another.

Here's a look back at the actors when the movie was first released, and what the cast looks like now.

Hugh Grant, 63

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (1)

As the newly minted prime minister of the U.K., Hugh Grant's character David quickly realizes he's falling for young staffer Natalie. Though taboo to be dating someone within the inner government circle, David's feelings can only be suppressed for so long, and the two are eventually caught kissing at the local primary school's Christmas play.

Martine McCutcheon, 47

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (2)

Martine McCutcheon played Natalie, the prime minister's striking but slightly awkward junior staffer, in the 2003 film. From the moment she meets David, Natalie is at a loss for words and her feelings towards him only grow stronger over time.

Emma Thompson, 64

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (3)

Emma Thompson's character Karen is the sister of the prime minster and married to Harry, who she shares two kids with. The holiday season seems pleasant for Karen until she notices her husband having eyes for his secretary. Upon receiving a disappointing Christmas present, she faces the harsh reality of her situation and is faced with a decision: to leave Harry on Christmas or keep on a brave face for her family.

Alan Rickman, died at 69

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (4)

Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 from cancer, played Harry, Karen's husband. He's emotionally cheating on his wife, at the very least, with his secretary Mia, who attempts to seduce him any chance she gets. Though he seems to feel guilty about his actions, Harry ends up putting a major rift in his family life.

Heike Makatsch, 52

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (5)

Heike Makatsch portrayed Mia in the film, the chic young secretary for Rickman's character Harry. Though it's never shown that the two get together, Mia makes her interest known as Harry purchases her a stunning necklace for Christmas.

Bill Nighy, 73

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (6)

As the one of the biggest rockstars at the time, Billy Mack, played by Bill Nighy, embraces his reputation as the raunchy, goofy performer — continuously saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. He comes out with a Christmas version of his hit song, which gains massive traction. But by the end of the film, he realizes that all the people suddenly in love with his lifestyle don't appreciate him for his true self like those closest to him.

Gregor Fisher, 69

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (7)

Billy Mack's manager, Joe, played by Gregor Fisher, is truly the only person who's with the singer at all times and understands him like no one else. Joe has to clean up Billy's mess as he constantly makes inappropriate remarks, but ultimately loves the singer and his job.

Liam Neeson, 71

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (8)

After his wife dies, Liam Neeson's character Daniel is left with his stepson, Sam, and attempts to navigate this new life. Daniel and Sam grow as a father-son duo and become best friends, as Daniel helps the young kid win over the girl of his dreams at school.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, 33

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (9)

Thomas Brodie-Sangster portrayed Sam, who decides to take his stepdad's advice in chasing down the love of his life, an American student named Joanna, by learning to play the drums. In the primary school's play, Sam whips out his newfound musical talent. However, after thinking his efforts weren't enough to win Joanna over before she returns to the U.S., Sam takes his mission to Heathrow Airport.

Olivia Olson, 31

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (10)

Sam's love interest Joanna is played by Olivia Olsen. Johanna is London's new girl who's originally from the States and has to go back by the end of the movie — giving Sam a timeline for swooning.

Colin Firth, 63

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (11)

Colin Firth's character Jamie has a reality check when he walks in on his fiancée cheating on him with his brother and decides to take a trip to the countryside to focus on his writing. Amid his writer's block, Jamie unexpectedly meets Aurelia, a Portuguese woman who is working as a housekeeper at the cottage. Aurelia doesn't speak a lick of English, and Jamie doesn't speak Portuguese, but the two have a connection that runs deeper than language. Though they said but a few words to one another, Jamie decides once he's back in London that he can't live without Aurelia and travels to find her.

Lúcia Moniz, 47

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (12)

Aurelia, played by Lúcia Moniz, develops mutual feelings for Jamie while working as the cottage's housekeeper and attempts to take an interest in his writing, despite their language barrier. After the two part ways to return home, Jaime seeks out Aurelia to propose in Portuguese, only to find that she's been learning English.

Keira Knightley, 38

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (13)

Keira Knightley's character Juliet is happily married to her new husband, Peter — but Peter's best friend Mark is also in love with Juliet. She seems completely oblivious to this, as does everyone else, but she has a revelation while watching her wedding video that Mark filmed.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, 46

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (14)

Peter, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, seems happy to start his new life with Juliet, but suspects his friend Mark doesn't like his new wife. Though Mark eventually confesses his love to Juliet, Peter never seems to realize his friend had feelings for his significant.

Andrew Lincoln, 50

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (15)

Andrew Lincoln played Mark, whose feelings toward Juliet were revealed after she plays her wedding tape that Mark filmed. After watching the video, which is made up of mostly clips of Juliet, Mark walks out in a hurry. However, he later returns on Juliet's doorstep to quietly confess his love for her — without requesting anything in return.

Laura Linney, 59

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (16)

Sarah, played by Laura Linney, works for Harry's company and is in love with her co-worker, Karl, which is widely known across the employee social sphere. This relationship seems promising, as Karl does express interest in Sarah, but they never get together because she's constantly having to care for her brother, who is institutionalized.

Rodrigo Santoro, 48

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (17)

Rodrigo Santoro plays Karl, who comes across as the somewhat nerdy but sweet and attractive man at the office. Karl and Sarah are continuously drawn to each other, but life keeps getting in the way of them starting a relationship.

Martin Freeman, 52

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (18)

Martin Freeman's character John stars as a body double for adult movies in London. On set, he and his new co-star Judy quickly become comfortable being intimate with one another, given the nature of their jobs. They begin to have relatable conversations while filming and start to fall for each other.

Joanna Page, 46

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (19)

Judy, a body double for adult films played by Joanna Page, eventually goes on a date with John to get to know each other better outside of their jobs. At the end of the film, they are seen attending the primary school's Christmas play together.

Kris Marshall, 50

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (20)

Kris Marshall portrays Colin, who struggles with his love life and blames it on the type of women he encounters in England. Colin decides to take a leap of faith and book a flight to Wisconsin to see if he has better luck with women in the States — and well, he does.

Abdul Salis, 44

Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (21)

Tony, played by Abdul Salis, is Colin's friend and is constantly telling him to stop blaming his unsuccessful love life on the market of women. He also acts as a production assistant of the films starring John and Judy.

Becca Wood

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Take a look at the 'Love Actually' cast then and now (2024)

FAQs

What happened to the actress who played Natalie in Love Actually? ›

McCutcheon married singer Jack McManus at Lake Como in September 2012; the couple had been dating since 2009. On 4 February 2015, she gave birth to a son, Rafferty Jack McManus. In August 2024, McCutcheon announced that she and her husband had separated.

Who are the hot American girls in Love Actually? ›

There, he immediately meets Stacey (Ivana Miličević), Jeannie (January Jones), and Carol-Anne (Elisha Cuthbert), three stunningly attractive women who instantly fall for his Estuary English accent, inviting him to stay at their home, where they are joined by their 'sexiest' roommate Harriet (Shannon Elizabeth).

What happened to the drummer in Love Actually? ›

THOMAS Brodie-Sangster found international fame as the youngster who took up drumming to win over his first crush in the iconic film Love Actually in 2003. Since then, he has gone on to star in some of the biggest films and TV shows and he is even engaged.

Who made a cameo appearance in Love Actually? ›

Many of the actors, even those in smaller roles, went on to have successful careers in Hollywood. The film includes cameo appearances from big-name performers, such as Claudia Schiffer and Billy Bob Thornton, adding to its star-studded cast.

What is Natalie Paris doing now? ›

In July 2023 it was announced that Paris will join the cast of Pretty Woman UK and Ireland tour, in the role of Kit De Luca. The show will open in Birmingham on 17 October 2023 and cast will comprise Amber Davies as Vivian, Oliver Savile as Edward and Ore Oduba as Happy Man/Mr Thompson.

Did Natalie go to Harvard? ›

In 2003, budding actress Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard with a psychology degree. Believe it or not, she had already starred as Padmé in the Star Wars trilogy by then.

Who is the chubby girl in Love Actually? ›

The character Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) is often mocked for her weight throughout the film, with her dad calling her “plumpy,” a colleague noting she has “huge thighs” and her love interest (Hugh Grant) saying “God, you weigh a lot” after she jumps into his arms.

What happened to the girl who played Joanna in Love Actually? ›

2018–present: Nowhere Land and The X Factor

In October 2019, she began competing in The X Factor: Celebrity, being the second act to be evicted from the live shows on October 26, 2019. In 2023, it was revealed that she would be a writer for the Phineas and Ferb revival, in addition to reprising her role as Vanessa.

Is Joanna actually singing in Love Actually? ›

For her role as Joanna (Sam's crush) in Love Actually (2003), she does all of her own singing in "All I Want for Christmas Is You" at the Christmas concert. She had such an amazing voice that writer and director Richard Curtis had it edited so it sounded more like a child singing.

Is Liam Neeson's son in Love Actually? ›

He continued working steadily over the next two years, until landing his breakout role in 2003's "Love Actually." In the film, Brodie-Sangster played the lovesick son of Liam Neeson's character, who learns how to play the drums in order to win over the girl he has a crush on.

Who is the guitarist at the wedding in Love Actually? ›

Love Actually (2003) - Jont Whittington as Guitarist - IMDb.

What is the age gap between Keira Knightley and Thomas? ›

Every a year a tweet goes viral with people only just finding out how young Keira Knightley was in Love Actually. At just 18 years old, she was only five years older than Thomas Brodie-Sangster (13) who plays schoolboy Sam in the film.

Are Colin Firth and Hugh Grant friends? ›

They got into a fist-fight in Bridget Jones' Diary, but it seems the rivalry continued off-screen for Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. Ok, so they might not be long-time nemeses, but Hugh made sure to poke fun at his Love Actually co-star and frenemy in quite a unique way.

Who turned down Love Actually? ›

Despite Simon Pegg being turned down, his career sky-rocketed when he was cast as the lead role in Shaun of the Dead.

Who is Sam's real dad in Love Actually? ›

Daniel and Sam

Things are complicated by the fact that Daniel is only Sam's stepfather. (Sam's real father's fate is never mentioned, he could be Tony Blair for all we know). The two negotiate their grief together as Sam is in love with a 10-year-old chanteuse named — heavy sigh — Joanna.

What happened to Natalie Mendoza? ›

Natalie has moved on to writing and developing for her own film production company as well as recording an album she will be releasing later next year.

Why did Martine McCutcheon stop acting? ›

'I just thought, "I love what I do but I don't love what comes with it', so I called my agent and gave up the industry. I remember thinking, 'If I'm meant to stay in it I'll get a big sign."' Taking time off, Martine explained that she went to stay with a pal in Spain and 'slept for three days straight'.

What happened to Natalie Roles? ›

In 2022, Natalie Roles took over from Oliver Crocker as presenter of The Bill Podcast, interviewing her co-stars Beth Cordingly (PC Kerry Young), Raji James (DS Vik Singh) and Jane Wall (PC Di Worrell).

What happened to the little boy in Love Actually? ›

Brodie-Sangster — who played lovelorn moppet Sam in Love Actually — has grown into a serious actor, trying his hand at everything from Phineas and Ferb to Game of Thrones and The Maze Runner franchise. Most recently, he starred as chess pro Benny Watts in the hit Netflix drama The Queen's Gambit.

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