Martine McCutcheon nearly missed Love Actually role after quitting showbusiness

Martine McCutcheon says she nearly missed her breakout role as Natalie in Love Actually after she quit showbusiness and moved to the remote Spanish mountains to pursue photography. The 49-year-old actress had long dreamed of playing Hugh Grant’s onscreen love interest and ultimately landed the part in the 2003 festive hit after director Richard Curtis wrote it with her in mind, following a period in which she had cashed in on the role with five Christmas advertisements.

Three weeks into her trip in Spain, McCutcheon says her former agent rang with surprising news: Curtis wanted her to read for the part opposite Grant. She recalls that when she starred on EastEnders she thought it might be unrealistic to move into film, so she left the business to travel. Curtis had written the role specifically for her, and the rest, as they say, is history. The film’s success helped anchor her career, even as she faced a turbulent period later in life that included bankruptcy filings and a high-profile divorce from Jack McManus. The couple sold their Surrey family home for about £1.36 million before their split, and McCutcheon has since leaned into Love Actually for festive promotions, a string of brand collaborations, and public appearances that aim to bolster her finances.

Over the festive season, McCutcheon has appeared in five Christmas campaigns, working with Costa and expanding into skincare, haircare, and technology partnerships with Google. She also helped light up a Hampton Court hotel for the holidays, tying the Love Actually legacy to her current public arc. As she approaches her 50th birthday, McCutcheon says she is prioritizing enjoyment and personal growth, not apologies, and is learning to say no when necessary while pursuing opportunities that bring her happiness.

Looking ahead, she has described a shift toward a more defined sense of self. She says she feels excited about this next chapter because she knows herself better than ever, and she emphasizes a resolve to protect her voice and boundaries, always with respect. The transformation comes amid ongoing personal turbulence, including a period of financial strain and the end of her 18-year marriage to McManus.

In parallel, McCutcheon has navigated a fraught family chapter. Earlier this year, her estranged mother, Jenny Tomlin, publicly reached out to seek reconciliation after the loss of Martine’s brother LJ in 2022. Jenny has described grief and detachment in recent interviews, saying she misses her daughter and hopes they can reconnect. Martine has not publicly commented on the reconciliation efforts, but the two have had limited contact and the relationship remains strained. Jenny has expressed regret for losing touch and has said she is willing to try again, though their paths have yet to converge meaningfully. The broader family dynamics add another layer to a period already marked by professional reinvention and personal upheaval.