Love Actually 2: Five plotlines that could happen
The beloved rom-com is back with a short sequel for Red Nose Day, but will it end happily ever after?
Rom-com Love Actually returns with a special sequel as part of this Friday's Red Nose Day telethon, prompting fans and critics to wonder what's in store for the love-struck characters.
Richard Curtis's original 2003 film followed multiple interwoven stories of love found, lost and unrequited and featured a star-studded ensemble cast, including Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson – many of who are back.
The new film will only be 12 minutes long and while the plot has been kept tightly under wraps, a BBC trailer and a few clues by cast members hint at what might happen.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"109939","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
Here are five potential storylines viewers might get to see.
Sam and Joanna reunite
Thomas Brodie-Sangster's pre-teen Sam was last seen dashing through airport security to catch Olivia Olson's Joanna before she headed back to the US.The two appear to still be in some sort of contact 14 years later, because they appear in the sequel, but it's unclear if they are boyfriend and girlfriend or how often they've seen each other over the years.
Mark finally gets over Juliet. Or doesn't
In Love Actually, Knightley's Juliet married Peter (Ejiofor), to the disappointment of Peter's best friend Mark (Andrew Lincoln), who announced his love with a series of flash cards.Thirteen years on and he has apparently still not given up on Juliet, as the BBC trailer reveals him holding up more cards.But maybe the sequel will involve him finding true love somewhere else. Or as Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian suggests, does Mark finally admit he was really in love with Peter all along?
Billy Mack has one last hit
Bill Nighy's ageing pop star Billy Mack is back, along with his garish glam-rock wardrobe. The singer had a Christmas hit following the last film, but his washed-up rocker character seems in need of another success.Can the vain, self-obsessed Mack finally find some depth and true feeling under his rock-star persona and maybe even a love interest to inspire one last tune that he will be remembered for?
The PM and the First Lady have an announcement
Hugh Grant's prime minister David is still in power, somewhat improbably given the sequel is based more than a decade after the original.Nevertheless, a series of tweets from the set by Curtis's wife Emma Freud show his former PA Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) saying: "Our PM is still married. And she's still lovely."
Another photo shows Grant making an announcement from a podium.
So is he announcing his retirement to run off into the sunset with Natalie and enjoy easyJet holidays around Europe?Or has he become yet another politician to fall from grace?
Aurelia finds her own literary voice and Jamie joins UKIP
When we last saw them, Portugal's Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) and British novelist Jamie (Colin Firth) had fallen head over heels for each other, despite only having a rudimentary knowledge of each other's languages.Perhaps the latest instalment will see them both fluently bilingual, with Aurelia translating Jamie's novels for a whole new audience.Or has she found her literary voice and become a successful novelist in her own right?Or, as Rebecca Hawkes in the Daily Telegraph jokingly speculates, now Aurelia can read English, will she discover Jamie's novels are actually "really dreadful" and fall out of love with him - prompting Jamie, disillusioned with all things European, to return to England and join UKIP.Love Actually 2 premieres on BBC1 during Red Nose Day on Friday 24 March, starting 7pm.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Labour's Brexit conundrum
The Explainer Keir Starmer backs 'twin track' strategy – build closer security ties with EU while ruling out single market, customs union and free movement
By The Week UK Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Dangerous substances in Lunchables are raising concerns over children's health
In the Spotlight High levels of lead and sodium were recently found in the snack packages
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published