TheLove Actuallysequel is now in production, and the first images have surfaced online. We only just learned of the follow-up’s existencelast month, as writer/directorRichard Curtiswas assembling most of the 2003 film’s cast for a sequel short film in connection with the charity event Red Nose Day. TitledRed Nose Day Actually, the follow-up checks back in on the characters played byColin Firth,Keira Knightley,Hugh Grant,Liam Neeson,Andrew Lincoln,Bill Nighy,Rowan Atkinson,Martine McCutcheon,Lucia Moniz,Thomas Brodie-Sangster,Olivia Olson, andMarcus Brigstocketo see what they’ve all been up to in the last 14 years (has it been 14 years already?!).
With filming now taking place in the U.K., Red Nose Day director and script editor/producerEmma Freudhas been sharing some behind-the-scenes images that give us a look at some of the actors back in character. Chief among them isHugh Grantas the U.K.’s Prime Minister, and it appears that his relationship with McCutcheon’s character has indeed lasted all these years. We also get a look atLiam NeesonandThomas Brodie-Sangsterreunited, with the young actor now nearly taller than Neeson himself.
Take a look at some of the images below followed by Curtis’ statement about the new short film.Red Nose Day Actuallywill air as part of theRed Nose Day Specialon May 25th on NBC, and also as part of Red Nose Day in the U.K. on March 24th on BBC1
“Over the years I’ve enjoyed doing Red Nose Day specials of TV things I’ve worked on – Blackadder, The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean. It seemed like a fun idea this year to do a special sketch based one of my films, since Red Nose Day is now in both the UK and America. I would never have dreamt of writing a sequel to Love Actually, but I thought it might be fun to do 10 minutes to see what everyone is now up to. Who has aged best? – I guess that’s the big question… or is it so obviously Liam? We’ve been delighted and grateful that so many of the cast are around and able to take part – and it’ll certainly be a nostalgic moment getting back together and recreating their characters 14 years later. We hope to make something that’ll be fun – very much in the spirit of the original film and of Red Nose Day – and which we hope will help bring lots of viewers and cash to the Red Nose Day shows.”
