The Love Actually Sequel: All The Exciting & Heartbreaking Details
Because love doesn’t come without its share of grief
A Love Actually sequel has been confirmed and we know that all hearts are fluttering. The film quickly became a Christmas classic when it was released in 2003, thanks to its quirky but relatable characters and all too real storylines. But before you get too excited, let us lay down the details for you—because one in particular had us reaching for tissues.
It’s only going to be ten minutes long
The Love Actually sequel will only last ten minutes and was put together in honor of Red Nose Day, a project that aims to end child poverty. It’s a little difficult to comprehend how all the characters will be showcased in a ten minute window, but we know it’s going to be great. If the original cast had our hearts up and down a roller coaster in 2 minutes, they can do it in ten.
It takes 14 years after the original
We’ll be able to catch up with the characters in real-time, as the sequel is set fourteen years after the original. Some very important questions will undoubtedly be answered, such as Did the Prime Minister marry Natalie?, Did Sam and Joanna keep in touch?, Did Mark and Juliette ever come clean about the kiss? and Did Billy Mack ever make another chart topping single?
Several of the original cast members have confirmed their participation
Thus far, Keira Knightley (Juliet), Andrew Lincoln (Mark), Hugh Grant (the Prime Minister), Martine McCutcheon (Natalie), Colin Firth (Jamie), Liam Neeson (Daniel), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Sam), Olivia Olson (Joanna), Bill Nighy (Billy Mack) and Rowan Atkinson (Rufus, the jewelry salesman) have been confirmed as part of the Love Actually sequel cast.
Yes, Emma Thompson is missing. Yes, we’re getting to that.
Emma Thompson will not reprise her role.
It has been confirmed that Thompson will not be part of the sequel, in large part because of Alan Rickman’s passing in January 2016. "It's too soon," she said in an interview with PA. But while the void will be evident, director Richard Curtis has gone on the record to say that the sequel will not necessarily be a tribute to the late actor.
Red Nose Day kicks off in the United States on May 25, 2017. We can’t wait.