Fans of the beloved Christmas film Love Actually have received an early festive gift with the release of Google Pixel's hilarious new advert, featuring a nostalgic reunion of two of the movie's stars. Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Martine McCutcheon reprise the spirit of their iconic 2003 roles in a commercial that lovingly pokes fun at the film's enduring legacy.
A Nostalgic Trip to the South Bank
In the advert, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, now 35, is portrayed as desperately clinging to his fame from the film. He returns to London's South Bank, the original filming location, hoping to be recognised by fans. Speaking directly to the camera, he says, 'This is it, this is where we filmed Love Actually... I like to come back here once or twice or 20 odd times each Christmas just to give something back to the fans.'
His efforts, however, are comically overlooked. When he starts playing the drums—a direct callback to his character Sam's quest to impress his school crush Joanna—he believes a passerby is taking his picture. Tragically, they are actually photographing the famous nativity lobster from the school play, with someone exclaiming, 'Oh my God Lily's a lobster!'
McCutcheon Steals the Spotlight
The humour escalates when an excited couple spots Martine McCutcheon in the background, buying popcorn. They declare, 'Look! It's the actor from Love Actually!' completely ignoring Thomas. In a perfect mimic of her character Natalie's famous line, Martine drops her popcorn and utters 'oh s**t!'
The advert is packed with other clever callbacks, including an actor impersonating Hugh Grant's iconic Prime Minister dance to The Pointer Sisters' 'Jump.' Throughout the sketch, Thomas maintains a faux-humble persona, stating, 'I really do this all for my fans,' and confidently predicting a clip will 'go viral immediately.'
Behind the Scenes of the Festive Campaign
Speaking ahead of the advert's release, Thomas Brodie-Sangster shared his enthusiasm. 'I had great fun stepping back into the world of Love Actually – it's very special how the film still resonates with so many people 20 years later,' he said. He also praised the technology, noting, 'It is remarkable how the Google Pixel 10 brought a fresh, modern perspective to some of the film's most iconic scenes... It makes you feel like you're using a professional film camera.'
Eileen Mannion, VP of Marketing at Google UK, explained the campaign's concept. 'Christmas films clearly hold a unique and cherished place in the hearts of Britons, and nostalgia plays a huge role in what people love most about them,' she said. 'In this spirit, 'It's Pixel, actually' is our festive love letter to them. We're bringing the magic of those beloved moments back to life.'
The advert powerfully demonstrates how the Google Pixel 10 enables the creation of cinematic content with incredible detail and clarity, capturing the heart and humour that made Love Actually an instant classic upon its release in 2003.
