{"id":39835,"date":"2023-11-16T16:15:34","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T15:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1927757"},"modified":"2023-11-16T16:42:45","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T15:42:45","slug":"love-actually-star-alan-rickman-brought-layers-and-complexity-to-role","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/love-actually-star-alan-rickman-brought-layers-and-complexity-to-role\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Actually star Alan Rickman brought \u201clayers and complexity\u201d to role"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love Actually turns 20 this year! <\/p>

By Katelyn Mensah\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 16 November 2023 at 15:15 PM<\/p>

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It has been 20 years since Love Actually hit the big screen, creating an adoring fanbase who watch the film over and over, no matter the time of year.<\/p>\n

Celebrating its anniversary, co-casting director Fiona Weir has reflected on casting the key roles fans have come to know and love \u2013 Alan Rickman\u2019s, in particular.<\/p>\n

The late Rickman portrayed Harry in the film, who struggled to prioritise his relationship with his wife Karen (Emma Thompson<\/a>), which led to a workplace romance with his assistant Mia (Heike Makatsch).<\/p>\n

Speaking to People<\/a>, Weir opened up on Rickman\u2019s \u201cdeeply compassionate\u201d and \u201csardonic\u201d performance as Harry.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlan encompassed that deeply complicated man who loves his wife and family, but has somehow lost track of something in his life and gets tempted by this other girl, but still really cares about the people who work for him,\u201d Weir said.<\/p>\n

\"Emma\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. Universal Pictures<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

She explained that the production team were \u201cthrilled\u201d when Rickman agreed to the role, as they \u201cknew that he would bring even more layers and complexity to the part than was already there\u201d.<\/p>\n

Weir added that Rickman agreed to play Harry \u201cpretty quickly\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe spotted what a lovely thing it would be to be part of,\u201d she told the publication.<\/p>\n

Richard Curtis previously opened up about one scene that drove Rickman \u201cinsane\u201d while filming the romantic comedy.<\/p>

In an ABC News Special<\/a>, Curtis revealed it was the scene in which Rowan Atkinson\u2019s shop assistant takes a rather long time to wrap up Harry\u2019s present.<\/p>\n

\u201cRowan was just taking his time,\u201d Curtis said. \u201cSo he would do 11-minute takes\u201d.<\/p>\n

Curtis recalled: \u201c[Rowan would say], \u2018Let\u2019s go back and do that. Let\u2019s start again.\u2019 And poor Alan was there all the time going, \u2018Grr, ugh.’\u201d<\/p>\n

However, as viewers see in the film, Rickman\u2019s impatience works perfectly, and it has become a scene many know and love.<\/p>\n