‘Love Actually’ cast then and now as beloved Christmas classic lands on Netflix

The heartwarming movie, headlined by a star cast is one of the most-talked-about Christmas flicks
PUBLISHED DEC 20, 2025
A still from 'Love Actually' (Cover image credit: Universal Studios | Photo by Peter Mountain)
A still from 'Love Actually' (Cover image credit: Universal Studios | Photo by Peter Mountain)

It's time for Christmas content with streamers dropping some new and old releases on their platforms ahead of Christmas Eve. Among the bunch of releases is an iconic classic in 'Love Actually'. The heartwarming movie is one of the most-talked-about Christmas flicks, even after 22 years of its release. It was first released in the UK in November 2003.

The ensemble cast saw Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Grant, along with marquee names in Keira Knightley, Martin Freeman, and Kris Marshall. With the film set to release on Christmas Eve on Netflix and on ITV1 (at 9:15 PM), here's a quick look at the cast of the classic, then, and how they are now.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster made his debut with the hit classic and has since gone on to work in major projects including 'Star Wars', 'The Maze Runner', and 'Game of Thrones'. He currently plays another folk classic character, Jack Dawkins, in Disney+'s 'The Artful Dodger'. Marshall was later back in 'Beyond Paradise', the spin-off of 'Death in Paradise'. Freeman was a familiar face in 'Black Panther' and also went on in 'The Hobbit' trilogy. Colin Firth, who played Jamie in the film,m made headlines with 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' and 'The King's Speech.'

Another major name was Andrew Lincoln, who later starred as the legendary Rick Grimes in AMC's 'The Walking Dead'. Chiwetel Ejiofor went on to make a string of movies to add to his already-impressive CV with 'The Martian' and '12 Years a Slave'. Grant was later a recognizable name in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Lastly, Knightley went on to become a success with 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and on Netflix's 'Black Doves'.

The synopsis for 'Love Actually' reads, "Nine intertwined journeys examine the complexities of the one emotion that connects all individuals, love. Among these individuals is David, the handsome, newly elected British prime minister, who falls for a junior staffer. Sarah is a graphic designer whose devotion to her mentally ill brother complicates her love life. Harry, a married man, is tempted by his attractive new secretary."

'Love Actually' streams on Christmas Eve on Netflix.

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