You've probably spent at least one Christmas Eve arguing with a relative about whether Love Actually is a masterpiece or a sugary mess. But here’s the thing: most people totally missed the fact that there is a "sequel." It’s called Red Nose Day Actually full movie, and it isn’t some fan-made YouTube project. It’s a legitimate, star-studded follow-up written and directed by Richard Curtis himself.
Kinda weird, right? You’d think a sequel to one of the biggest rom-coms in history would have been a massive theatrical event. Instead, it dropped as a 15-minute short film for charity back in 2017.
The Mystery of the 15-Minute Sequel
Honestly, if you're looking for a two-hour feature, you're going to be disappointed. This isn't a "full movie" in the traditional sense. It’s a series of vignettes that catch up with the characters 13 years after the original events.
The project was created for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day, a massive UK fundraising event. Because it was aired as part of a telethon, it never got a proper DVD release or a permanent home on Netflix. This makes finding the Red Nose Day Actually full movie feel like a digital scavenger hunt.
Who actually came back?
It’s easier to list who didn't return. Emma Thompson famously sat this one out. She and Richard Curtis agreed it would be too sad to feature her character, Karen, without the late Alan Rickman. It was a heavy decision, but it felt right.
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The rest of the gang? They showed up.
- Hugh Grant is still the Prime Minister (somehow).
- Liam Neeson and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (now a full-grown adult) sit on that same South Bank bench.
- Andrew Lincoln returns with those infamous cue cards.
- Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor are still together, though Mark is still lurking at the door.
The weirdest cameo? Kate Moss. She shows up as Mark’s wife, fulfilling his "joke" from the first movie that he’d marry a supermodel. It’s exactly the kind of whimsical, slightly unrealistic touch that makes this universe what it is.
Different Versions for Different Countries
Most people don't realize there are actually two versions of the Red Nose Day Actually full movie.
The UK version, which aired on the BBC, focuses heavily on the British cast. But when it moved to NBC for the American audience, they added a whole new segment. This "US Cut" features Laura Linney. In the original 2003 film, her character Sarah had one of the saddest endings, choosing her brother’s well-being over her own romance.
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In the sequel, she finally gets her win. She’s seen in an office, answering her phone, and it’s revealed she’s married to a character played by Patrick Dempsey. It’s a tiny bit of fan service that fixes the biggest grievance most viewers had with the original.
The Rowan Atkinson Factor
Rowan Atkinson’s character, Rufus the jewelry salesman, is still the slowest gift-wrapper on the planet. In the sequel, he’s working at a counter—Walgreens in the US version, a different shop in the UK—and he proceeds to wrap a red nose for a young boy.
The scene goes on forever. It’s agonizing. It’s classic Atkinson.
Hugh Grant's Dance... Part Two
You can't have a sequel without David dancing through 10 Downing Street. This time, instead of the Pointer Sisters, he’s shaking it to "Hotline Bling" by Drake.
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It’s cringey. It’s hilarious. Hugh Grant reportedly hated filming it just as much as he hated the first one. But the scene ends on a surprisingly poignant note. David gives a speech about the state of the world, acknowledging that things feel tougher and grimmer than they did in 2003. It’s a rare moment of reality in a movie that usually feels like a gingerbread house.
Why You Can't Find It Easily
Because it was a charity special, the rights are a total nightmare. It isn't sitting on a streaming service waiting for you. Most people end up watching it in chunks on YouTube or finding a recording on Vimeo.
Basically, the "full movie" is more of a collective memory at this point.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to experience the Red Nose Day Actually full movie today, you have to be a bit tactical.
- Check the Comic Relief YouTube Channel: They often keep the individual segments up, though they might be region-locked depending on where you are.
- Look for the US vs UK Cuts: If you want the Laura Linney/Patrick Dempsey scene, you specifically need the NBC version.
- Support the Cause: Since this was a charity project, if you enjoy the short, consider a small donation to Comic Relief or Red Nose Day. That was the whole point of the actors coming back for free, after all.
Don't expect a cinematic revolution. It's a 15-minute hug for people who grew up with the original. It’s messy, it’s short, and it’s definitely not a "full movie," but for fifteen minutes, it feels like Christmas in March.