For many across the UK and beyond, the festive season isn’t complete without an annual rewatch of Love Actually. Despite being released 21 years ago, the iconic Christmas film remains a firm favourite.
The romantic comedy follows a series of intertwined lives as they navigate Christmas and overcome various obstacles. Fans will likely have their own favourite couple, with the film following several.
However, some fans may not know that there were originally more characters in the film. And many viewers who have now uncovered the deleted scenes are demanding they be put back in.
Originally, Love Actually included a relationship between the headmistress, Anne Reid, of the school hosting the final Christmas concert, and her partner Geraldine, played by Frances de la Tour. Geraldine has terminal cancer, and a scene toward the end of the film shows Emma Thompson’s character Karen thanking the headmistress for attending the show despite her loss.
In DVD bonus footage, director Richard Curtis admits he was “really sorry” to lose this part of the film. The concept was to introduce “a very stern headmistress” in a casual way early on, he said, then later uncover her complex love story, highlighting that everyone has a multifaceted tale of romance.
Some who enjoy watching Love Actually have stumbled upon the deleted scenes on Youtube and they have been quick to react. One fan wrote: “I wish this had made it into the movie. I find them really sweet”.
A second said: “My Christmas wish is to have a version of Love Actually where all of the deleted scenes were included”, while a third added: “Not sure if it’s because I am a lesbian but it would have meant the absolute world to me to see this in the movie. We don’t have enough representation as it is and this made me cry.”
A fourth said: “What a wonderful scene! Surely this was far more deserving of some of the other more daft and contrived scenes which made the cut? And I love the film, but this one is so real and heartfelt.”