Summary

• Love Actually features an ensemble cast with multiple storylines, but Hugh Grant stands out as the Prime Minister and romantic lead.
• Many of the actors, even those in smaller roles, went on to have successful careers in Hollywood.
• The film includes cameo appearances from big-name performers, such as Claudia Schiffer and Billy Bob Thornton, adding to its star-studded cast.

The stars of Love Actually have gone on to some impressive careers after the hit romantic film's 2003 premiere. Love Actually follows numerous characters as they pursue love and happiness during the Christmas season in London. Filmmaker Richard Curtis wrote and directed the box office hit that earned almost $245 million (via Box Office Mojo) after previously writing rom-com classics such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones's Diary. Love Actually is bookended by sequences at London's Heathrow Airport, and steadily reinforces the concept that, "Love actually is all around."

As an ensemble film, Love Actually doesn't have one definitive lead character, but Hugh Grant is arguably the main attraction due to his '90s collaborations with Curtis. The Christmas rom-com movie also includes brief cameos from big-name performers, some of whom were well-known at the time of release, and others who have since evolved into movie stars throughout the 2000s and beyond. Many actors who appear in even the smaller roles of Love Actually went on to be notable Hollywood success.

Hugh Grant As David

Hugh Grant portrays David, the new Prime Minister of England. He immediately falls for a staff member named Natalie, and later makes a grand romantic gesture by showing up at her home. Known for being a romantic leading man, Grant stars in the rom-coms Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. His other roles include Phoenix Buchanan in Paddington 2, Fletcher in The Gentleman, and Jonathan Fraser in The Undoing. Grant also plays Forge Fitzwilliam in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and an Oompa-Loompa in 2023's Wonka, reuniting with Paddington 2 director Paul King.

Martine McCutcheon As Natalie

Martine McCutcheon appears as Natalie, David's love interest, in Love Actually. She has a strong connection with the Prime Minister and receives unwanted sexual advances from the President of the United States. Natalie eventually reunites with David after being "redistributed", and they make their romance public in a climactic moment. McCutcheon is a singer and an actor. She is best known for her role as Tiffany in EastEnders. Her other roles include Jane Cooper in Marple and Susan Penwarden in Echo Beach. McCutcheon has also released four studio albums, the first of which, You Me & Us, went Platinum.

Alan Rickman As Harry

Alan Rickman played Harry, a businessman married to Karen who contemplates having an affair with his attractive secretary, Mia after she flirts with him at work. The late Rickman, who passed in 2016, has a filmography full of iconic characters. He played Hans Gruber in Die Hard, the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. However, he is most famous for his late-career role as the tragic figure Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movie franchise.

Emma Thompson As Karen

Emma Thompson portrays Karen in Love Actually, David's sister and Harry's wife. She worries about a gold necklace that her husband purchases but doesn't give to her, all the while looking after the closest people in her life. Thompson is an Academy Award-winning actor with many plaudits to her name. She stars as Miss Kenton in The Remains of the Day, Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, P.L. Travers in Saving Mr. Banks, Maureen in The Meyerowitz Stories, and Professor Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter films. In 2021, Thompson starred in Disney's Cruella as the villainous Baroness von Hellman.

Heike Makatsch As Mia

German actor Heike Makatsch appears in Love Actually as Mia, Harry's flirtatious co-worker and Natalie's neighbor. She's upfront about her feelings and tries her best to seduce Harry. Makatsch portrayed Lisa in Resident Evil and the title character in Margarete Steiff. Her most notable role post-Love Actually came in the 2013 adaptation of The Book Thief as Liesel's mother.

Colin Firth As Jamie

Colin Firth plays Jamie in Love Actually, a writer who catches his girlfriend with his brother. He then falls in love with his Portuguese housekeeper, Aurélia, and makes a grand gesture by learning her language and visiting her home. Firth has had a long and successful career, most notably starring as Fitzwilliam Darcy in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice, Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary, and King George VI in The King's Speech, a role which earned him his only Academy Award. He also portrays George in A Single Man and stars as Harry Hart in the Kingsman movie franchise. Firth also co-stars opposite Olivia Colman in the Sam Mendes romantic drama Empire of Light as Donald Ellis.

Lúcia Moniz As Aurélia

Lúcia Moniz appears as Aurélia in Love Actually, Jamie's love interest. She initially has strong feelings for the writer; however, they are unable to properly communicate. Moniz represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996. She later appeared in several Portuguese TV shows and portrayed Giulia in The Italian Writer. Moniz stars as Bella in the 2020 movie Listen but has appeared in a handful of Spanish language TV shows since 2020, including Operación Marea Negra where she plays Carmo.

Liam Neeson As Daniel

Liam Neeson portrays Daniel, a widower who worries about the mental health of his stepson, Sam, after his mother's death. As it turns out, the boy simply has a crush on a young musician. Daniel jokes that his late wife would have allowed him to date the model Claudia Schiffer, who makes a cameo as the man's potential love interest, Carol. Liam Neeson's celebrated career includes an array of famous roles as Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List and Ottway in The Grey. He's also known for his portrayal of Qui-Gon Jinn in the Star Wars franchise, including the TV series Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Bryan Mills in the Taken movie. In 2023, Neeson appeared in Retribution as Matt Turner.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster As Sam

Thomas Brodie-Sangster has a supporting role in Love Actually as Sam, Daniel's stepson. He has a crush on a classmate named Joanna and devises a plan to woo her. Sangster is best known for playing Jojen Reed in Game of Thrones and he stars as Newt in The Maze Runner movie franchise. He also portrayed Whitey Winn in Godless and Benny Watts in The Queen's Gambit.

Olivia Olson As Joanna

Olivia Olson appears as Joanna, Sam's crush. Olson is best known for her voice acting roles which include Vanessa Doofenshmirtz in Phineas and Ferb and Marceline the Vampire Queen in Adventure Time and its spin-offs. She also reprised her Love Actually role as Joanna Anderson in Red Nose Day Actually, a 2017 short film.

Claudia Schiffer As Carol

Claudia Schiffer shows up briefly as Carol, Daniel's potential love interest whom he meets at the end of Love Actually. Schiffer is an iconic German supermodel who was married to magician David Copperfield during the late '90s. She played herself in the movies Ready to Wear and Zoolander but has not appeared in film or television since her part in Love Actually.

Chiwetel Ejiofor As Peter

Chiwetel Ejiofor has a minor role in Love Actually as Peter, a newlywed. Unbeknownst to him, his best friend has strong feelings for his wife, Juliet. Ejiofor gained worldwide acclaim for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave, a role which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He also gained prominence for his role as Karl Mordo in Doctor Strange and other MCU fare. His other roles include Vincent Kapoor in The Martian and Copley in The Old Guard. Ejiofor also starred in the single season of the 2022 sci-fi drama The Man Who Fell to Earth as Faraday.

Keira Knightley As Juliet

Keira Knightley plays Juliet, Pete's wife who realizes Mark (Pete's best friend) harbors strong feelings for her, evidenced by wedding day glamour shot footage. Knightley received Oscar nominations for portraying Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice and Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game. She also stars in the period drama Atonement as Cecilia Tallis and stars in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise as Elizabeth Swann. Knightley had a starring role in the 2023 thriller Boston Strangler as Loretta McLaughlin.

Andrew Lincoln As Mark

Andrew Lincoln portrays Mark, Pete's best friend who reveals his true feelings for Juliet by making a grand gesture outside of her home. Lincoln is best known for starring as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead franchise. His other roles include Simon Casey in Teachers and Robert Bridge in Afterlife.

Laura Linney As Sarah

Laura Linney appears as Sarah, Harry's employee. She has a crush on her co-worker Karl, and eventually pursues a relationship with him. Linney received Oscar nominations for her performances in You Can Count on Me as Sammy, The Savages as Wendy Savage, and Kinsey as Clara McMillen. She also portrays Cathy Jamison in The Big C and plays Wendy Byrde in Ozark.

Rodrigo Santoro As Karl

Rodrigo Santoro has a small role as Karl, Sarah's crush. He knows that she has strong feelings for him, and subsequently makes a move. Santoro portrays Xerxes in 300 and 300: Rise of an Empire and Jesus in the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur. His other roles include Laurence Golborne in The 33 and Hector Escaton in Westworld. Santoro also stars in the series Wolf Pack as Garrett Briggs.

Bill Nighy As Billy Mack

Pirates of the Caribbean alumnus Bill Nighy plays Billy Mack, a singer who re-records a former single as a Christmas song. He appears throughout Love Actually as a jokester and ultimately drops his guard by showing his manager how much means to him. Nighy portrays Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Minister Rufus Scrimgeour in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. His other roles include Mr. Woodhouse in Emma. and Saint Germain in Castlevania. Nighy stars in the 2022 drama Living as Mr. Rodney Williams, a role that earned the veteran actor the first Academy Award nomination of his career.

Martin Freeman As John

Martin Freeman appears as John, a production assistant and stand-in actor. He falls for a co-worker named Judy and appears shy despite having seen her nude at work. Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy and portrays Everett K. Ross in Black Panther and its MCU follow-ups. He also headlined Fargo season 1 as Lester Nygaard and Sherlock as Dr. John Watson.

Joanna Page As Judy

Joanna Page plays Judy, John's love interest in Love Actually. She's genuinely attracted to Freeman's character and appreciates that they can have natural, organic conversations. Page portrays Ann Crook in From Hell and Marion Chumley in To the Ends of the Earth. She also plays Bethan Stubbins in the 2020 movie Dolittle. Page appears in one episode of Doctor Who as Queen Elizabeth I in 2013.

Kris Marshall As Colin

Kris Marshall portrays Colin, a wedding caterer who believes that he's not appreciated by British women. He travels to America and charms the local women by being himself. Marshall portrays Edward Castleton in The Four Feathers and Troy in Death at a Funeral. He also plays Tom Parker in Sanditon and stars in the 2023 British crime drama Beyond Paradise as DI Humphrey Goodman.

Ivana Miličević As Stacey

Ivana Miličević plays Stacey, a Milwaukee native who is charmed by the Britishness of Colin's character in Love Actually. Miličević portrays the Bond girl Valenka in Casino Royale and Carrie Hopewell in Banshee. Her other roles include Mila Yugorsky in Running Scared, Charmaine Diyoza in The 100, and Striga in Castlevania.

January Jones As Jeannie

January Jones appears as Jeannie, Stacey's friend who thinks Colin has a cute name. Jones stars as Betty Draper in Mad Men and portrays Emma Frost in X-Men: First Class. She also appears as Lou Ann Norton in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada and Melissa Chartres in The Last Man on Earth. After a brief hiatus from acting, she appears in the 2023 film God Is a Bullet as Maureen Bacon.

Elisha Cuthbert As Carol-Anne

Elisha Cuthbert plays Carol-Anne, Stacy and Jeannie's friend who is "crazy about English guys". Cuthbert also stars as Kim Bauer in 24, Abby in The Ranch, and Alex Kerkovich in Happy Endings. She appears in the 2022 crime drama Bandit as Andrea Hudson, alongside Josh Duhamel and Mel Gibson.

Shannon Elizabeth As Harriet

Shannon Elizabeth plays Harriet, a Milwaukee resident and Christian woman whom Colin brings home to England. Elizabeth portrays Nadia in the American Pie movies and Brooke in That '70s Show. Her other roles include Buffy in Scary Movie and Justice in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. Elizabeth is also a noted conservationist and poker player.

Abdul Salis As Tony

Abdul Salis portrays Tony in Love Actually, Colin's skeptical friend who experiences love at first sight upon meeting Harriet's sister at the end. Salis portrays Oumar in Sahara and Eugene Skinner in Flyboys. He also appears as Curtis Cooper in the TV show Casualty and as Eamon Valda in The Wheel of Time series.

Denise Richards As Carla

Denise Richards appears as Carla, Harriet's sister who meets Tony in England. Richards stars as Kelly Van Ryan in Wild Things and Dr. Christmas Jones in the James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough. She also plays Carmen Ibanez in Starship Troopers and appears as Shauna Fulton in The Bold and the Beautiful. Her recent roles have been in smaller, more unknown projects, but she does voice Laura Lang in the 2022 animated Netflix series, The Guardians of Justice​​​​.

Rowan Atkinson As Rufus

Rowan Atkinson, of James Bond-spoof Johnny English fame, has two scenes in Love Actually as Rufus, a jeweler who sells a necklace to Harry. The character later appears in the climax as Sam tries to find Joanna. Atkinson is best known for starring as Mr. Bean in the iconic sitcom of the same name he created with Richard Curtis and the title character in Johnny English. He also voices Zazu in The Lion King (1994). Atkinson also stars in the British comedy series Man vs. Bee as Trevor Bingley and appears in Wonka as Father Julius.

Billy Bob Thornton As U.S. President

In Love Actually, Billy Bob Thornton plays the U.S. President who visits David and sets firm expectations. He's then caught attempting to kiss David's love interest, Natalie. Thornton stars as Karl Childers in Sling Blade and Dan Truman in Armageddon. His other notable roles include Hank Grotowski in Monster's Ball, Willie Soke in Bad Santa, Billy McBride in Goliath, and Lorne Malvo in Fargo season 1. More recently, he appeared in The Gray Man as Donald Fitzroy.