5 Questions We Need Answered In The 'Love Actually' Sequel!

Yes, you read that right. A sequel is on the way! The original cast of Love Actually are reuniting for a 10-minute Red Nose Day special over in the UK, entitled Red Nose Day Actually! UK viewers can expect to see it on March 24th, with Red Nose Day Actually airing on CBS a couple of months later.

Richard Curtis's 2003 classic has divided audiences ever since its release - some love it, some loathe it. Personally, I have to admit that I'm in the 'love' category. For me, it embodies a certain whimsical British charm, and it's admirable in that it doesn't fall to the typical romcom trap of portraying love as a mere emotion. Instead, Love Actually dares to suggest that love is a choice, starring struggling couples who must decide whether or not to keep trying.

Since then, though, Curtis has been bombarded with questions - as has his wife, Emma Freud. How did these love stories turn out? Did anyone get a 'happily ever after'? Now, it seems, we're finally going to learn the answers.

So - here are some of the questions fans are asking! What mysteries of the heart will the sequel reveal?

1) Did Harry and Karen work it out?

One of the most heartwrenching stories in the film was the relationship between Harry (Alan Rickman) and Karen (Emma Thompson). Love Actually left us with so many questions about their future; did Harry actually have an affair? Did Karen forgive him?

Sadly, this first question is one that won't be explored in Red Nose Day Actually. Alan Rickman, of course, passed away in early 2016, and Emma Thompson hasn't been asked to return for the sequel. Without Rickman, her story would feel incomplete.

That said, Curtis and Freud have revealed a lot. Apparently when Curtis originally drafted the script he did indeed consider Harry to have outright had an affair, and the truth came out - as it always does. That said, the couple is still together, though their relationship isn't exactly what it was.

For all this story can't really be wrapped up, surely Red Nose Day Actually will feature some sort of nod to it?

2) What about Sam and Joanna?

They're probably the sweetest couple in the whole film. Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) was absolutely besotted by American classmate Joanna (Olivia Olson), right down to trying to learn the drums to impress her. His story ended with a peck on the cheek, leaving audiences worldwide grinning.

Over on Twitter, Freud confirmed that the two kids did indeed get together, but how have things worked out? The good news is that both actors are confirmed to return, so we'll see how that long-distance relationship went!

3) Did Sarah and Karl ever get a chance?

Poor, awkward Sarah (Laura Linney) had watched Karl (Rodrigo Santoro) from afar for a long, long time - "two years, seven months, three days and ... about an hour and 30 minutes," to be exact. But when their moment finally came, she was called upon by her brother, and for Sarah, familial love trumped romantic lust. She left her chance at romance and headed to her brother's side.

Sadly, Freud has said that this relationship never worked out - and I'm afraid neither Linney nor Santoro have been confirmed for the cast list. It looks as though those sparks died down, and Sarah's commitment to her brother cost her the office romance.

4) How did the romance at number 10 work out?

Who can forget Hugh Grant's besotted Prime Minister David (no, not Cameron), who was so enamored of his assistant Natalie (Martine McCutcheon). David finally decided to act on his love, pursuing her to a Christmas play and taking her aside to declare his love. Their passionate lip-lock went badly wrong, of course, when the curtain rose - and you can bet the couple became the number one story on the evening news.

But how would that relationship actually work out? The stresses of political office are hardly conducive to dating, after all, and you can picture some commentators arguing David was merely taking advantage of his position to seduce an innocent young member of his staff. Meanwhile, David had already had a bit of a tiff with the U.S. President (Billy Bob Thornton) who'd also been interested in Natalie, but had been more lecherous about it than David. It has the potential to bring a whole new, complicated meaning to the term 'Special Relationship'.

Needless to say, Billy Bob Thornton isn't returning, but both Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon are, so we're sure to get some answers!

5) How did things turn out for Juliet and Mark?

Let's face it, you couldn't call a film Love Actually without featuring a character called Juliet, in this case played by Keira Knightley. Poor Juliet had no idea that her wedding photographer, Mark (Andrew Lincoln) was secretly besotted with her; she honestly believed he despised her! When the truth came out, she gave him an innocent kiss and then returned to her husband.

Here's the interesting thing; while Keira Knightly and Andrew Lincoln are both appearing in Red Nose Day Actually, Chiwetel Ejiofor, who played the husband, Peter, isn't. Intriguing, isn't it?

The reality is that Love Actually gave us a glimpse of ordinary lives, ones steeped in love and lust, hope and fear. The sequel is bringing together many members of the original cast, including Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Colin Firth, Lucia Moniz, Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Olivia Olson, Bill Nighy, Marcus Brigstocke and Rowan Atkinson. These characters captured our hearts, and it's going to be great to see where they've gone in the decade-plus since.

Source: The Guardian