Comic Relief today announce the start of shoot for Red Nose Day Actually from Writer and Director Richard Curtis (Notting Hill, About Time, War Horse). From an original script by Curtis, the short film revisits the characters of Love Actually (2003) to discover what they’re up to in 2017.

• Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rowan Atkinson amongst original Love Actually cast reuniting for the Comic Relief film
• Red Nose Day Actually will be shown as part of Red Nose Day 2017, Friday 24 March on BBC One

Revisiting the roles that first came to cinemas in 2003 are cast members Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martine McCutcheon, Colin Firth, Lucia Moniz, Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Olivia Olson, Bill Nighy, Marcus Brigstocke, and Rowan Atkinson.

Red Nose Day Actually will be broadcast as part of the live Red Nose Day 2017 show on Friday 24 March on BBC One.

Richard Curtis said, “Over the years I’ve enjoyed doing Red Nose Day specials of TV things I’ve worked on - Blackadder, The Vicar Of Dibley and Mr Bean. It seemed like a fun idea this year to do a special sketch based one of my films, since Red Nose Day is now in both the UK and America.

"I would never have dreamt of writing a sequel to Love Actually, but I thought it might be fun to do 10 minutes to see what everyone is now up to. Who has aged best? - I guess that’s the big question… or is it so obviously Liam?

"We’ve been delighted and grateful that so many of the cast are around and able to take part - and it’ll certainly be a nostalgic moment getting back together and recreating their characters 14 years later. We hope to make something that’ll be fun - very much in the spirit of the original film and of Red Nose Day - and which we hope will help bring lots of viewers and cash to the Red Nose Day shows.”

A whole host of comedians and celebrities are coming together to support this year’s Red Nose Day 2017 on Friday 24 March. For the first time ever there will also be live comedy gigs taking place around the UK in the lead up to Red Nose Day 2017 as well as an original series of online comedy sketches, written by and starring a host of up and coming talent, which will feature on Comic Relief’s YouTube channel. All of this comedy energy is being harnessed to help those who really need it – every day of the year, Comic Relief cash is hard at work changing lives across Africa and right here in the UK.

Follow Red Nose Day 2017 on Twitter @RedNoseDay and @ComicReliefNews, on Facebook at Comic Relief: Red Nose Day and Instagram @rednoseday #RedNoseDayActually

CM2

Notes to Editors

About Red Nose Day 2017

• Red Nose Day is back on Friday 24 March in the UK it’s all about your power to make the world a better place, simply by having a great time.
• By raising (or donating) cash this Red Nose Day, you’re helping to change lives. That’s because Comic Relief spends the money raised to help the people who really need it most, both here in the UK and across Africa.
• From workplace bake sales and fancy-dress fundraising in schools, to danceathons, quizzes and surreal sponsored challenges, put on a Red Nose and make your laugh matter by doing whatever you enjoy to raise life-changing cash.
• It all culminates in a massive night of comedy and entertainment, live on the BBC
• Red Nose Day Actually will also feature as part of Red Nose Day USA on Thursday 25 May in the United States on NBC.

About Comic Relief

• Comic Relief is a UK charity which aims to create a just world, free from poverty - where everyone is safe, healthy, educated and empowered. Since 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1 billion. That money has helped, and is helping, people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world.
• For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit www.comicrelief.com
• Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)