How Every Character is Connected in Love Actually (2024)

As the festive season rolls around, classic Christmas movies are set to be on screens once again, with Love Actually firmly on the list. Steeped in drama and comedy, Richard Curtis' rom-com has stories that intertwine and overlap each other, creating a web of connections that range from family to work colleagues.

The core theme is about love, with a lot of varying ways in which it's shown. The love between a mother and her children, the unwavering loyalty between a woman and her brother, and the classic falling in love scenarios, to name but a few. Each character is connected to another narrative somewhere along the line, making this Christmas movie stand out from the rest.

Karen Thought She Had a Calm Home Life

Karen's Marriage to Harry Was Turned Upside Down

The best British romantic comedies often have a twist of sadness, and for Love Actually, it was Emma Thompson who brought heart-wrenching emotions to her character. Karen was married to Harry (Alan Rickman) and was a stay-at-home mother to their two children, Bernard and Daisy.

Whilst Karen lived a fairly humble and grounded life, her brother David was the Prime Minister, whom she didn't see a lot due to the nature of his job, but was overjoyed to bump into him after she realized the sad truth about Harry buying a gold necklace for his secretary, Mia. Karen had noticed a connection between the two and warned him to "be careful," but learning that the necklace wasn't a gift for her confirmed her suspicions, leading to a well-known incredible piece of acting from Thompson as audiences watched Karen's heartbreak.

Billy and Joe's Relationship Was More Than Just for Work

Their Popstar/Manager Relationship Enabled Them To Develop a Close Bond

Bill Nighy took on the role of outlandish pop star Billy Mack, who was seen to enjoy fame and was always watched over by his manager, Joe (Gregor Fisher.) Billy appeared to want to like the 'rockstar' lifestyle, but his manager has a much more placid personality.

As Christmas rolled around, Billy was out celebrating the success of his single, but it looked as if Joe would be spending the season alone. However, Billy turned up at Joe's house and confessed his love to him. It's not made completely clear whether his admission was romantic or a platonic bromance, but either way, the two appeared very happy to know they both cared about each other. Billy doesn't have any encounters with the other main characters in the film, but his song or video is heard and seen at various points.

Daniel and Sam Bond Over Young Love

As a Father Figure to Sam, Daniel Helped Him Out With Advice on Romance

Liam Neeson may be known for his appearances in some of the greatest thriller movies, but he's also made his mark on rom-coms. Although Daniel (Neeson) and Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) did have their own stories regarding romantic love, the two were unique in the overall plot line because their journey was about growing closer after Sam's mother died. Daniel wasn't Sam's biological father, but he looked after Sam as if he was his own. Daniel supported Sam through his grief and the "...total agony of being in love."

Sam's crush on his school friend Joanna consumed his attention, and he wanted to find ways of getting him to notice her. Just before she got on a plane to America, he managed to talk with her. Meanwhile, Daniel relied on his good friend Karen to help him through losing his partner, with care and some tough love. Sam attended the same school as Karen's children.

Karl and Sarah Didn't Get the Timing Right

The Pair Needed to Communicate Their Feelings More

Before Laura Linney starred in Ozark, one of the most binge-worthy crime dramas, she graced Love Actually with her beautiful portrayal of the endearing Sarah. Working at Harry's graphic design company, she withheld feelings for her colleague Karl (Rodrigo Santoro), who she didn't believe had noticed her. Harry gave Sarah a wake-up call and encouraged her to make a move on Karl.

At the Christmas party, the two danced together, and Karl proved he was just as shy as Sarah. He traveled home with her, and Sarah invited him into her house. Sarah's kind heart was later exposed as her unwell brother phoned her, interrupting her time with Karl. Even though she wanted to be with him, Sarah's brother came first, making sure she was there for him whenever he needed.

The Prime Minister Fell for a Member of the Household Staff

David and Natalie Had a Spark From the Start

When thinking of the best Christmas movies, politicians might not be the first topic to spring to mind. However, Love Actually had a light dabble in British politics by choosing a storyline that focused on the Prime Minister's love life. After moving into 10 Downing Street, David (Hugh Grant) meets those working for him, and Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) immediately catches his eye.

A misunderstanding meant the two didn't think they'd find a way back to each other, but David was determined to make a relationship happen. After knocking on nearly every door in her street (which revealed Mia lived next door to Natalie), David found her on her way out to watch a school nativity play, which just happened to be the same one that his niece and nephew were in.

Jamie and Aurelia Weren't Put Off by a Language Barrier

They Didn't Speak the Same Language, but Their Feelings Were Clear

Jamie (Colin Firth) started the film in one relationship and ended it in another. After catching his brother having an affair with his partner, Jamie decided to spend some time abroad in France. There, he met Aurelia (Lúcia Moniz,) who became his housekeeper.

As they spent more time around each other, a spark developed between them, though they couldn't speak the same language. The beauty of their relationship came with not being able to verbally understand one another, but audiences were given the perspective to show that they were both thinking the same things. Eventually, Jamie learned enough Portuguese to fly out to Aurelia and propose to her. The perfect casting of a rom-com made the film believable, something that Firth and Moniz achieved in their scenes.

Mark Confessed His Love for His Friend's Wife

Juliet Was Unaware of Mark's Feelings

Juliet and Peter's wedding is a key feature in the movie, as it ties up a few connections. The wedding was attended by Jamie, Sarah, and another central character, Mark. Mark was Peter's best friend, who, unbeknownst to the newlyweds, had feelings for Juliet. He was also seen talking with Sarah at the reception, though it wasn't established exactly how they knew each other.

Juliet discovered that the wedding video Mark had made was, in fact, all footage of her, which revealed his crush. Further down the line, Mark goes to Juliet and Peter's house and writes everything he wants to say to Juliet, presenting her with whiteboards that describe how he feels so Peter doesn't hear. Mark left, and Juliet ran after him to kiss him in the street. Mark walked away, uttering the words, "Enough, enough now."

John and Judy Met in an Unusual Way

They Didn't Let Their Unique Job Roles Get in the Way

A familiar face from The Office UK, Martin Freeman starred alongside Joanna Page as John and Judy. The pair worked as film stand-ins and met when working on a sex scene. As if spending time with a crush isn't awkward enough, seeing each other naked almost immediately was an unusual meet-cute.

As the two worked together more and more, they weren't hindered by their tricky situations; rather, they contrasted their explicit acting with some very sweet moments. John plucked up the courage to ask Judy out, and the rest is history.

Colin Was Searching for Love

He Believed a Trip to America Would Get His Love Life Going

Colin was kind of a stand-alone character in that he didn't have a relationship. Having said that, his plot line was still focused on romance, but he had yet to find it. In a revelation, whilst working at Juliet and Peter's wedding as a caterer and chatting with his friend Tony (who worked on set with Judy and John), he decided to go to America to find the woman of his dreams, and by the end, it appeared he'd achieved what he'd set out to do.

The final scene of Love Actually rounded off the film nicely. At the airport, Billy walked out and was greeted by Joe. Aurelia and Jamie arrived to a warm welcome from Jamie's friends, Juliet, Peter and Mark. An uncertain Harry saw his children and Karen, but audiences weren't told where he'd been or if Karen had forgiven him. Joanna flew back from America to a timid but excited Sam. John and Judy bumped into Tony, who was waiting for Colin. Finally, the paparazzi flooded David's path with flashing cameras before Natalie ran over and embraced him. The film closed with the song "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys, a fitting track for the rom-com.

Love Actually

R

Comedy

Drama

Holiday

Romance

Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.

Release Date

November 21, 2003

Director

Richard Curtis

Cast

Hugh Grant , Liam Neeson , Colin Firth , Laura Linney , Emma Thompson , Alan Rickman , Keira Knightley , Bill Nighy , Rowan Atkinson , Andrew Lincoln

Runtime

136 minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

Writers

Richard Curtis

Website

https://www.uphe.com/movies/love-actually

Cinematographer

Michael Coulter

Producer

Duncan Kenworthy, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, Liza Chasin

Production Company

StudioCanal, Working Title Films, DNA Films

Sfx Supervisor

Richard Conway