With Christmas just days away, it’s no surprise that iconic festive film Love Actually is at the top of people’s watch lists.
The film follows nine interconnected love stories detailed by writer-director Richard Curtis, set against the backdrop of a chaotic Christmas in London.
Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson, viewers see their individual stories unfold onscreen.
But there’s many facts about Love Actually that might come as a surprise, to even the film’s biggest fans.
From secret cameos, surprise filming techniques and hidden plot elements, some details might have gone unnoticed.
So, here’s all the things you didn’t know about Love Actually…
With Christmas just days away, it’s no surprise that iconic festive film Love Actually is at the top of people’s watch lists
But there’s many facts about Love Actually that might come as a surprise, to even the film’s biggest fans
It was shot in reverse!
As the film was shot in reverse, the iconic airport scene at the end was actually the first time everyone worked together.
In an interview, Martine McCutcheon explained the reunion scene at Heathrow Airport that involved all of the cast was the first time they all worked together, even though it would be the climax of the film.
Despite the strange running order, the actress believes it helped the cast to bond with each other quickly, saying everyone was ‘genuinely excited’ and that it made a great way to start the film.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s role almost went to someone else
In the film, Thomas Brodie-Sangster played Liam Neeson’s step-son Sam and his main character arc followed him learning the drums in a bid to impress his American classmate Joanna.
But the role almost went to someone else, Joe Alwyn.
Speaking on Live With Kelly And Mark in 2018, Joe explained how the opportunity came around when he was preparing for Zorro.
‘I took fencing lessons, and they’ll often send casting directors around to schools and community centres,’ he said.
‘So this local community centre where I took fencing lessons, this brilliant UK casting director, Shaheen Baig, she came around, and she saw me there.
‘I didn’t get it in the end, but I do remember meeting Hugh Grant and Richard Curtis and sitting around reading some stuff,’ he added.
In the film, Thomas Brodie-Sangster played Liam Neeson’s step-son Sam and his main character arc followed him learning the drums in a bid to impress his classmate Joanna
But the role almost went to someone else, Joe Alwyn
Jo Whiley stunned fans when she revealed she made a secret cameo in the festive classic during the iconic scene where Prime Minister David dances around 10 Downing Street
Secret Cameos
Jo Whiley stunned fans when she revealed she made a secret cameo in the festive classic.
Jo shared the tale while taking part in a festive quiz on her Dig It podcast with Zoe Ball with the duo also joined by their daughters for the Christmas challenge.
During the show, Jo revealed that Love Actually fans can actually hear her voice when she plays a radio DJ, and introduces the iconic scene where Prime Minister David dances around 10 Downing Street to Jump by The Pointer Sisters.
Jo said: ‘I actually do the voice of the DJ in this particular scene,’ before Zoe declared: ‘You do! You’re in Love Actually!’
The admission left Zoe’s daughter Nelly, 16, stunned with Jo then reciting part of her famous line: ‘So that’s what the girls were just saying, a golden oldie for golden oldie, this one’s for Prime Minister, and it’s Hugh Grant.’
A visibly shocked Nelly said: ‘Oh my God, I never realised that it’s you!’
Jo’s daughter India, 33, added: ‘Definitely the coolest thing you’ve never done,’ while her sister Coco, 17, agreed.
Zoe said: ‘That IS the coolest thing you’ve ever done.’
In the famous scene, Love Actually fans hear Jo’s voice as she introduces The Pointer Sisters’ track, saying: ‘It’s almost enough to make you feel patriotic, so here’s one for our a**e-kicking Prime Minister.
‘I think he’ll enjoy this. A Golden Oldie for a Golden Oldie,’ with the PM then launching into an unlikely dance to the classic track.
Keira Knightley was forced to make a last minute costume change when she suffered an embarrassing problem
‘I had a massive spot in the middle of my forehead,’ she admitted. ‘This is the problem with being 17 and being in films! So there was no choice but to find a hat to cover it’ she revealed
Keira Knightley’s last minute costume change
Keira Knightley was forced to make a last minute costume change when she suffered an embarrassing problem.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Radio 1, the actress revealed how her now iconic baker boy hat wasn’t meant to be in the scene.
‘I had a massive spot in the middle of my forehead,’ she admitted. ‘This is the problem with being 17 and being in films!
‘It was humongous, so there was no choice but to find a hat to cover it, because there was no lighting or makeup that was going to cover it.
It’s funny how you just remember extreme embarrassment. I remember coming in in the morning, being like, “Oh wow, I’ve got another head on my head. What are we going to do?”
‘There’s nothing we can do about this. But there is, because you can always put a hat over it!
‘I was actually very grateful for that hat. I have a lifetime of gratitude for that hat.’
Martine McCutcheon has revealed a hidden message in what is still one of the nation’s best-loved Christmas movies
In an interview she revealed that viewers were supposed to find the notion that Natalie is overweight ridiculous, highlighting how many women worry about their weight unnecessarily
Hidden message
Martine McCutcheon revealed a hidden message in what is still one of the nation’s best-loved Christmas movies.
The actress played the role of the Prime Minister’s assistant Natalie in the hit rom-com, in which her character was teased by her family – and her ex-boyfriend – for being chubby, despite the fact she’s anything but.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan she revealed that viewers were supposed to find the notion that Natalie is overweight ridiculous, thus highlighting how many women worry about their weight unnecessarily.
‘Her issues weren’t real issues,’ she explained. ‘Every woman thinks there’s something wrong with them when in actual fact, they are perfect and lovely as they are. She was meant to be the embodiment of that
‘You’re meant to go: “No she’s not [fat], I think she’s lovely!” because that’s how men think about a lot of women who constantly criticise each other and themselves.’
Martine also revealed that filmmaker Richard Curtis wrote the part of Natalie with her in mind – and that she’s still in touch with many members of the cast from the hit film.
Olivia Olson had her first real-life kiss in the film
Olivia, who played ‘the coolest girl in school’ Joanna Anderson, shared her memories of filming the holiday hit with E! News.
And she revealed that she was squealing inside just as much as viewers were for her big kiss with co-star Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
In fact, the actress, said she had a crush on him at the time — making the fact that it was her first kiss all the more nerve-wracking.
‘It was my first kiss and on-screen kiss too,’ she said. ‘I was really nervous because I kind of had a crush on Thomas back in the day and I was also worried because I was taller than him.’
Olivia, who played ‘the coolest girl in school’ Joanna Anderson, had her first real-life kiss in the film
Meanwhile, there was in fact a happy ending for Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman’s characters, Karen and Harry, after his affair was revealed
Meanwhile, the idea behind Rowan Atkinson’s fleeting appearance, when he over-wraps the betrayal gift, was originally intended as a tool to catch Harry out
Major plot secrets
While Love Actually may have left audiences with a warm, fuzzy feeling the world over; it’s certainly left many with unanswered questions.
Scriptwriter Emma Freud later put some of those queries to bed when she tweeted during her husband – and the film’s director – Richard Curtis’s first cinema experience of the 2003 rom-com classic.
Addressing the patchy plot lines, Emma confirmed that there was in fact a happy ending for Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman’s characters, Karen and Harry, since the film had left fans guessing whether the married couple made a go of it.
One fan asked, ‘Can u please explain outcome for Emma and Alan’s characters or must I remain eternally confused? I never did work that one out!’
‘They stay together,’ Emma confirmed on Twitter, ‘but home isn’t as happy as it once was.’
The final scene of the film shows Karen and Harry, who have two on-screen children, share an awkward kiss on the cheek as they are reunited at the airport for New Year.
Viewers watched as Harry was tempted by his young secretary Mia, only to be caught out by his wife when she discovered that the indulgent gold locket he’s purchased for Christmas is intended for someone else.
And as script writer Emma, who worked with husband Richard 12 years ago on the British film, revealed behind-the-scenes secrets about the film, she was even prompted to clear up whether the infidelity had been a full blown ‘affair’ or a ‘flirtation’.
She was asked: ‘Did anyone ask if Harry ACTUALLY had an affair or was just tempted to? Alan Rickman villains are usually lovable but not this one!’
Emma replied: ‘DEFINITELY had an affair. I begged Richard just to make it a flirtation, but no, the whole way.’
Meanwhile, the idea behind Rowan Atkinson’s fleeting appearance, when he over-wraps the betrayal gift, was originally intended as a tool to catch Harry out, Emma revealed.
