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Hugh Grant gives inspiring speech as prime minister in 'Red Nose Day Actually'

The 2017 American Red Nose Day campaign earned more than $35 million to combat childhood poverty around the world.

By Karen Butler
(L-R) Anna Eberstein and actor Hugh Grant arrive for the the 23rd annual SAG Awards on January 29. Grant appeared in Thursday's "Red Nose Day Actually" short film on NBC. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
(L-R) Anna Eberstein and actor Hugh Grant arrive for the the 23rd annual SAG Awards on January 29. Grant appeared in Thursday's "Red Nose Day Actually" short film on NBC. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

May 26 (UPI) -- Hugh Grant reprised his prime minister character from 2003's Love Actually and gave a rousing speech in the short sequel that aired as part of Thursday's Red Nose Day fundraiser on NBC.

"Obviously, times for many people have got harder and people are nervous and fearful. And it's not just in politics that things are tough. Piers Morgan is still alive. But, on a deeper level, I'm optimistic. Wherever you see tragedy, you see bravery, too. Wherever you see ordinary people in need, you see extraordinary, ordinary people come to their aid," Grant as Britain's leader told reporters as his wife Natalie, played by Martine McCutcheon, beamed with pride. "Today's Red Nose Day and people are giving their hard-earned cash to people who they'll never meet, but whose pain and fear they feel and want to fight. So, it's not just romantic love, which is all around. Most people still every day, everywhere have enough love in their hearts to help human beings in trouble. Good is going to win. I'm actually sure of it."

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The Red Nose Day Actually short film offered updates on several other Love Actually characters, as well. It popped in on Colin Firth's Jamie and sees he is still with Lucia Moniz's Aurelia, mother of his three, young children -- all of whom speak Portuguese better than he does; Laura Linney's workaholic Sarah has found love in new guy Patrick Dempsey; and Olivia Olson's Joanna asks Liam Neeson's Daniel for his stepson Sam's hand in marriage. Thomas Sangster returns as the now adult Sam, who had been Joanna's childhood sweetheart 14 years earlier.

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The mini-sequel also features Andrew Lincoln's Mark checking in with Keira Knightley's Juliet to see if she is still happily married to Peter [played by Chiwetel Ejiofor.] Juliet assures him that she is and Mark reveals he has since wed supermodel Kate Moss.

The U.S. version of Britain's Red Nose Day telethon also featured appearances by Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, Ben Affleck, Jack Black and Bryan Cranston. Chris Hardwick hosted the program, which was founded by Love Actually filmmaker Richard Curtis in an effort to spotlight and raise money to combat childhood poverty around the world.

The 2017 American campaign earned more than $35 million.

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