Actress Martine McCutcheon has disclosed that her beloved role in the Christmas classic Love Actually was almost never hers, after she dramatically walked away from the entertainment industry.
A Dream Role Almost Lost
The 49-year-old star, who played the endearing PA Natalie opposite Hugh Grant's Prime Minister, had yearned for such a film part for years. However, in 2003, the year the film was made, McCutcheon had officially quit acting. Disillusioned with showbusiness, she relocated to a remote part of the Spanish mountains to pursue photography and travel.
She told her agent she was "done," a decision he thought was crazy. McCutcheon explained her prior belief that moving from soap operas like EastEnders to major films was unlikely, an irony she noted given the difficulty of soap work.
The Director's Determined Pursuit
Fortunately, the film's writer and director, Richard Curtis, had penned the role specifically with McCutcheon in mind. He refused to take no for an answer and tracked her down to her Spanish retreat.
"About three weeks into my trip, the phone rang and it was my old agent," McCutcheon recalled. He informed her that Curtis wanted her to audition for a part opposite Hugh Grant. She described the moment as proof that "dreams do come true," and the rest, as she said, is cinematic history.
Capitalising on Festive Fame Amid Financial Strains
The revelation comes as McCutcheon leverages her association with the perennial festive favourite to bolster her finances. In July, she was declared bankrupt over a debt to a finance company, just eleven months after separating from her husband, musician Jack McManus.
The bankruptcy order followed the sale of the couple's five-bedroom Surrey home for £1,355,000. This festive season, McCutcheon has appeared in five Christmas promotions, collaborating with brands like Costa and Google, and launching skincare ventures.
Ahead of her 50th birthday, the star says she is prioritising herself, learning to say no, and is unapologetic about her own opinions and voice. "I feel excited about this next chapter because I know myself so much more," she stated.
Family Rift and a Mother's Plea
McCutcheon's personal life has faced other challenges. She is estranged from her mother, author Jenny Tomlin, 69. The rift began after the tragic death of McCutcheon's brother, Laurence John, in 2022.
Jenny Tomlin recently gave an emotional interview, confessing she detached in her grief and failed to support her daughter. She admitted to ignoring Martine's attempts to contact her and now desperately wants reconciliation.
"I want the chance to say sorry. I miss her so much – it physically hurts," Tomlin said. "I've lost one child, I don't want to lose another." Despite a brief, awkward contact last October, the pair remain out of touch, with Jenny publicly reaching out in the hope they can "find our way back."
