It’s that time of year when we all gather ‘round the fire, sip hot cocoa, and discuss whether or not Love Actually is actually a good movie. Some of us despise it, some of us love it, and many of us haven’t even seen it—but however you feel about Richard Curtis’s holiday epic, there’s no denying its impact on popular culture since its release.
So in honor of Love Actually season, let’s find out where some of our faves have ended up since the film hit theaters 13 (13!) years ago. (And we’re not the only ones!)
Rodrigo Santoro (Karl)
A lot has happened to the actor who played Laura Linney’s sexy coworker since her well-meaning (if a little obsessive) preoccupation with her brother’s health scared him (and his rock hard abs) off for good. He’s currently starring as a robot in HBO’s new hit series Westworld! Good for you, Karl!
Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Sam)
Speaking of HBO, everyone’s favorite lovesick, drum-playing redhead nabbed a role in one of the most popular and critically-acclaimed show on television, Game of Thrones! Unfortunately his character, Jojen Reed, met a particularly gruesome death in season 4. Sad!
Octavia Spencer
The year Love Actually hit theaters, Octavia Spencer had a minor role in another holiday classic, Bad Santa! Since then she’s done a little thing called, uh, winning an OSCAR, and is currently starring in the upcoming feel-good holiday release Hidden Figures.
The Grave of Oscar Wilde
Back in 2003, the grave of famed writer Oscar Wilde was looking worse for wear. After decades being ruined by the elements—not to mention all the fans who touched and kissed it—the grave was completely restored in 2011. If you ask me, it’s lookin’ pretty darn good! I wonder if Liam Neeson’s character took such great care of his wife’s tombstone, or if his relationship with that Claudia Schiffer-looking woman kept him... uhh... preoccupied.
Michelle Obama
13 years ago, Michelle Obama was just some no-name lawyer who worked at the University of Chicago Hospitals as executive director for community affairs. Snooze city! But her life changed just five years after the release of Love Actually, when her husband was elected President of the United States! Sorta shows how quickly life can throw you a curveball, doesn’t it? Sort of like how Natalie’s life changed after her boss (the Prime Minister) fell in love with her! Wild.
Jan
Our girl Jan has looked exactly the same for 13 years. The photo on the left was taken in 2003, just before Jan saw Love Actually for the first time. The photo on the right was taken in 2016, just before she turned on Love Actually for the 20th time. Give us your skincare routine, Jan! You look great!
This Kid
This kid was cute as hell in 2003. He had so much potential. So much... I don’t know, curiosity? After learning how to read you couldn’t separate him from his books. He wanted to know everything, and had such a thirst for knowledge. For life. He wanted to soak up as much about the world as he could. And now look at him, staring at his goddamned iPad like the lazy D-student he is. You know he wrecked his mom’s car? Thirteen years old and this little piece of shit gets behind the wheel and crashes into Mike and Connie’s new Subaru five seconds after peeling out of the driveway. This fucking kid, I swear.
The Reanimated Body of Charlotte Brontë
The body of Charlotte Bronte was resting peacefully in its Haworth, United Kingdom from 1855 to sometime in 2013, when it was rumored to have escaped due to a nearby seance. If you’ve seen the reanimated body of Charlotte Brontë wandering around your town, please email [email protected].
The Dog from Frasier
Moose, the dog from Frasier, died in 2006. He is now grass.