The Secret Lives of the Beloved 'Love Actually' Cast: Catching up with Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, and More

Love Actually may have primarily centered on romantic relationships based in England, but it consistently demonstrated that love exists everywhere!

This romantic comedy commences five weeks prior to Christmas and guides audiences through various tales of love and romance. As the holiday approaches, ten distinct narratives unfold, all interconnected by one common thread: love.

After almost twenty years, the heartwarming tale continues to touch the hearts of fans, who still feel its impact in every aspect of their lives.

According to creator Richard Curtis, who recently reunited with the cast for a Red Nose Day short film, Keira Knightley was selected for her youthful and cheerful spirit, a quality that she still embodies to this day. Bill Nighy remains forever young and carefree, while Liam Neeson brings a sense of paternal warmth to his character. As for Hugh Grant, he exhibited good behavior during one week of the original shoot, but then reverted to his mischievous ways for the remainder of the production—an amusingly consistent pattern that Curtis finds quite reassuring.

Scroll down to see what some of the main characters in Love Actually have been up to since the film’s 2003 release.

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‘Love Actually’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and More

Love Actually may have primarily centered around romances based in England, but it consistently demonstrated that love transcends boundaries!

This romantic comedy unfolds in the five weeks leading up to Christmas, captivating audiences with its various tales of love and romance. Over the course of these weeks, ten distinct narratives are interwoven, all united by a common thread: love.

The heartwarming story still resonates with fans after nearly two decades, evoking a sense of warmth in their hearts and toes. Creator Richard Curtis, who recently reunited with the cast for a Red Nose Day short film, revealed that Keira Knightley was chosen for her youthful and cheerful spirit, while Bill Nighy remains forever young and irresponsible. Liam Neeson, on the other hand, embodies a strong paternal presence. Reflecting on the filming process, Curtis shared that Hugh Grant had behaved well during one week of shooting, but then acted poorly for the remainder, mirroring his behavior during the recent reunion. Overall, these anecdotes provide a reassuring glimpse into the enduring nature of the film.

Scroll down to see what some of the main characters in Love Actually have been up to since the film’s 2003 release.

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Liam Neeson

Neeson’s famous role as Daniel sees him guiding his stepson Sam (Brodie-Sangster) through the trials of first love, all while they grieve the loss of his wife, Joanna. Since then, the actor has transitioned into primarily action-oriented roles, headlining the Taken franchise and starring in The Grey, Cold Pursuit, and The Marksman. Notable appearances include Widows, Men in Black: International, and Made in Italy. In a tragic parallel to his on-screen character, the Northern Ireland native also endured the heartbreaking loss of his real-life love, Natasha Richardson, following a skiing accident in 2009. Since then, he has been raising their two sons single-handedly.

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Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Starting with his debut as lovestruck Sam in a feature film, the English native has achieved immense growth in Hollywood. He has garnered larger roles in movies such as Nanny McPhee, Nowhere Boy, and as Newt in The Maze Runner franchise. Additionally, he lent his voice to the character Ferb in Disney Channel's Phineas and Ferb for four seasons, and later portrayed John Tracy in Thunderbirds Are Go. Notably, he also took on the role of Jojen Reed in Game of Thrones. In 2010, Brodie-Sangster joined the band Winnet and played bass guitar alongside his family. Furthermore, he portrayed Benny Watts in the Netflix series, The Queen's Gambit, earning an Emmy nomination.

Confirming their relationship after months of speculation, Brodie-Sangster and actress Talulah Riley appeared as a couple at the British Academy Film Awards Gala Dinner in March 2022. Then, in July 2023, they announced their engagement, marking the culmination of two years of dating.

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Olivia Olson

Olson portrayed the character of Joanna, Sam's love interest and musical pageant partner, in the romantic comedy film Love Actually. At the age of 11, she was cast for this role. Afterward, the Los Angeles native joined her on-screen partner Brodie-Sangster once again in 2008 for the animated series Phineas and Ferb, where she voiced the character of Vanessa until the show's conclusion in 2015. Apart from this, she has also provided her voice for other projects such as Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, and Fast & Furious Spy Racers. In 2018, the actress released her first solo album titled Nowhere Land, and a year later she participated in The X Factor: Celebrity. Furthermore, she has several upcoming acting commitments, and in 2020, she released a short film titled Grapefruit the Musical. On Instagram, she frequently shares photos with her boyfriend.

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Colin Firth

At the beginning of the movie, Jamie, portrayed by Firth, experiences heartbreak. However, towards the end, he discovers love with his Portuguese housekeeper, Aurélia, played by Moniz. In addition to his role in this romantic comedy, Firth's successful career includes notable performances in films such as The King's Speech, the Mamma Mia! movies, and the Bridget Jones's Diary franchise. He has also appeared in the Kingsman films, Mary Poppins Returns, and The Secret Garden. In 2019, Firth ended his 22-year marriage to wife Livia Giuggioli. Together, they have two children. Currently, Firth is slated to play convicted felon Michael Peterson in the TV adaptation of The Staircase and is rumored to be dating the show's coshowrunner, Maggie Cohn.

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Lúcia Moniz

Moniz captured Jamie's heart as Aurélia, and her dedication to him was evident as she learned English before he proposed. Since then, the talented Portuguese actress has made appearances on various television shows, including Vingança, Aqui Não Há Quem Viva, Olhos nos Olhos, and Na Corda Bamba. She has also showcased her skills in films such as Fatima, Thirty Minutes, and Sombra. Moniz has even ventured into the music industry, releasing five albums, with her latest being Calendar (Vidisco) in 2015. In 2004, she joyfully welcomed her daughter Júlia. Despite her busy schedule, she continues to shine on both the big and small screens, with several upcoming roles in her repertoire.

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Hugh Grant

The dancing scene featuring Grant as David, the newly elected Prime Minister of England, is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable moments in the film. Moreover, his character faces a scandalous situation when he is caught kissing his former coworker Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) during a school play! Following his remarkable performance in the 2003 role, Grant continued to captivate audiences in romantic comedies such as the Bridget Jones films and Music and Lyrics. He has also become a celebrated figure in the Paddington franchise and made a notable appearance in The Gentlemen before securing the role of Jonathan Sachs in The Undoing. In 2018, Grant tied the knot with TV producer Anna Elisabet Eberstein, with whom he shares three children. Additionally, Grant has two children with Tinglan Hong. Currently, the talented actor is gearing up for the highly anticipated film adaption of Dungeons & Dragons, which is scheduled for release in 2023.

During the Love Actually reunion special in November 2022, Grant reluctantly confessed that filming his character's dance scene had been "excruciating." He confided in Diane Sawyer, stating, "When I read it in the script, I just knew I would despise doing it. The idea of dancing was unappealing to me, and I had no desire to rehearse it either."

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Martine McCutcheon

McCutcheon portrayed the character Natalie, who becomes romantically involved with David (played by Grant). She decides to resign from her job after the U.S. President (portrayed by Thornton) makes an unwelcome advance towards her. Following her role in the movie, McCutcheon appeared in television shows such as Moving Wallpaper and Echo Beach. She also had a part in the film The Bromley Boys. In addition to her acting career, McCutcheon, who is married to Jack McManus and has a son, took a break from music in the mid-2000s but made a comeback with the release of her fourth studio album in 2017. Unfortunately, in April 2017, she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. McCutcheon's most recent onscreen appearance was in 2018.

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Emma Thompson

Thompson portrayed Karen, the sister of the Prime Minister, and Harry's (Rickman) spouse in the enchanting film. In addition to collaborating with her co-star Rickman in three Harry Potter movies, this Academy Award winner has received acclaim for her outstanding performances in various other works including the Nanny McPhee films, Saving Mr. Banks, Burnt, Beauty and the Beast, and Late Night. Her talent shines once again as she brings the character of the Baroness to life in the 2021 live-action adaptation of Cruella, and she is set to take on the iconic role of Miss Trunchbull in the upcoming film adaptation of Matilda the Musical, scheduled for release in 2022. Thompson is also diligently working on a stage adaptation of Nanny McPhee, which is anticipated to debut in 2023. Since 2003, she has been happily married to Greg Wise, with whom she shares two children.

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Alan Rickman

Rickman's portrayal of Harry, a man with a roving eye for his secretary, but whose infidelity was discovered by his wife before their children's concert, was just the beginning of his impressive career. In the following year, he received an Emmy nomination for his role in Something the Lord Made. Additionally, Rickman showcased his talent in renowned films such as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Alice in Wonderland. However, one of his most notable and impactful roles was his portrayal of Professor Snape in the beloved Harry Potter series from 2001 to 2011. Not limited to the silver screen, Rickman also excelled in the world of theater, gracing Broadway with his performances. Sadly, we lost this talented British actor in January 2016, when he succumbed to pancreatic cancer after a private battle. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on, and in October 2022, a compilation of his writing, entitled Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman, was published, featuring a foreword written by Thompson.

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Laura Linney

Throughout the movie, Sarah, played by Linney, finds herself torn between the responsibilities of caring for her mentally ill brother and her deep desire for a romantic relationship with coworker Karl (portrayed by Rodrigo Santoro). After wrapping up the romantic comedy, Linney seamlessly transitioned to her roles in Frasier and then John Adams. She went on to take on the lead role and serve as an executive producer in The Big C and Tales of the City. Prior to her portrayal of Wendy Byrde on Ozark, a performance that garnered her multiple Emmy awards, Linney starred in Nocturnal Animals. This talented actress, a native of New York, is also a proud mother to a son she shares with her husband Marc Schauer, to whom she has been happily married since 2009.

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Rodrigo Santoro

Santoro’s character, Karl, finds himself in an embarrassing situation when Sarah (played by Linney) puts her brother’s needs before their own during their holiday party, leaving him stranded in his underwear. In the same year, Santoro also appeared in Love Actually and starred in the show Women in Love. He continued his acting career with roles in Lost, Old River, Reprisal, and Westworld. When it comes to films, the Brazilian actor made appearances in The Immortal Warrior and 300, and he also provided the voice for Tulio in the Rio franchise. Santoro is a proud father to his daughter, Nina, whom he shares with his wife Mel Fronckowiak.

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Keira Knightley

Knightley’s character Juliet becomes entangled in a love triangle after marrying Peter (portrayed by Ejiofor) and subsequently discovering that Mark (played by Lincoln), Peter’s best man, harbors affection for her. Following this breakthrough role, the talented actress gained recognition for her stellar performances in acclaimed films like Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, and her portrayal of Elizabeth Swan in the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Additionally, Knightley graced screens in Anna Karenina, The Imitation Game, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and The Aftermath. In 2013, Knightley tied the knot with James Righton, and together they have been blessed with two children.

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Andrew Lincoln

Lincoln's character Mark becomes well-known for expressing his love for his best friend's wife, Juliet (played by Knightley), through the use of cue cards. Following his memorable portrayal of this love-stricken character, Lincoln went on to appear in Afterlife and Strike Back before ultimately landing his most significant role to date in 2010. During the course of nine seasons, he skillfully portrayed Rick Grimes on the popular television series The Walking Dead until 2018. Married since 2006, the English actor is also a proud father of two children. Currently, in 2022, Lincoln has made his triumphant return to television with Netflix's anthology series Cabinet of Curiosities, created by Guillermo del Toro.

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Chiwetel Ejiofor

Ejiofor’s character, Peter, remains blissfully ignorant of his best friend’s deep affection for his newlywed wife, despite his BFF's partial involvement in organizing their exquisitely romantic wedding. In reality, the actor's career has left a lasting impact, marked by notable roles in films such as Serenity, American Gangster, and Salt, before captivating audiences as Solomon Northup in the critically acclaimed 12 Years a Slave. This performance earned the London-born actor an Oscar nomination, paving the way for his subsequent appearances in The Martian, where he excelled, and his portrayal of Scar, as a voice actor in the live-action adaptation of The Lion King. Furthermore, Ejiofor skillfully took on the lead role in The Man Who Fell to Earth. Alongside his acting pursuits, Ejiofor has also demonstrated his talents as a filmmaker, having written and directed four films.

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Bill Nighy

The actor famous for his role as washed-up rocker Billy Mack in the movie About Time also climbed the holiday charts with his hit song "Christmas Is All Around". Since then, he has taken on the character of Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, lent his voice to characters in Rango and Arthur Christmas, and showcased his talent in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. This Golden Globe winner has also graced the stage, performing in the play Skylight both in London's West End and on Broadway. Recently, he made an appearance on Castlevania. As a proud father, he has a lovely daughter named Mary.

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Gregor Fisher

Fisher portrayed Joe, Billy Mack's dedicated manager in the film. Although Joe was often overlooked, his loyalty to the rock star eventually earned him recognition. On television, Fisher had a prominent role in the long-running series Rab C. Nesbitt from 1988 to 2014. Additionally, he made appearances in the Oliver Twist mini-series, Empty, and Love Life. Currently, Fisher is a cast member on the British sitcom The Cockfields. In 2015, he published an autobiography titled The Boy From Nowhere. The Scottish actor and his wife Vicki Burton have two children together.

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Martin Freeman

Freeman’s character, John, forms an unlikely pair with Judy (played by Page) in the movie Love Actually. They initially meet while substituting for actors during a steamy scene. Surprisingly, they even get engaged by the end of the film. Outside of Love Actually, Freeman is most recognized for his portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit franchise. He has also made notable appearances on Fargo, Sherlock, StartUp, and Breeders. In the year 2022, he reprised his role as Everett K. Ross in the second Black Panther film. Freeman is a proud parent of two children, who he shares with his former wife, Amanda Abbington.

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Joanna Page

Page, known as "Just Judy," was depicted as a character who encounters John (played by Freeman) during a simulated sex scene on a film set. Throughout her career, the talented Welsh actress has secured roles in various shows such as Poppy Cat, The Syndicate, Breathless, and Q Pootle 5. Additionally, she has made appearances in Gavin & Stacey and Dolittle. Page has also made notable contributions to the theater, starring in productions such as Cinderella and Private Lives. In 2003, she tied the knot with James Thornton, and together they are the proud parents of one daughter and two sons. In August 2021, Page excitedly announced her fourth pregnancy, and in December of that same year, she welcomed her daughter Boe Willow Russell into the world.