Keira Knightley admits her iconic Christmas film has almost faded from her memory

Keira Knightley has revealed that her connection to Love Actually is rather different from that of the millions of fans who revisit the Christmas film every year. Despite starring in the 2003 romantic comedy, the actress has not watched it since its premiere.

Speaking to Heart, Knightley explained that she was 18 when the film premiered and has little recollection of the experience. As a result, fans who approach her with familiar lines from the film often leave her unable to respond in the way they might expect.

“I have not watched Love Actually since the premiere, which was when I was 18,” she said. “So, I think I am the person that knows it the least of anybody.”

Knightley added that she recognises when people are quoting the film because of their expressions, but does not necessarily understand the references. “It means nothing to me,” she admitted.

The actress also explained that her limited time on set contributed to her lack of memories. She was 17 during filming and worked on the production for only a week.

“I do not remember it really,” she said, while acknowledging that she likes seeing the film continue to have such a significant life with audiences.

Knightley played Juliet, a newly married woman whose husband’s best friend, Mark, secretly loves her. The character is at the centre of one of the film’s most recognisable moments, when Mark, played by Andrew Lincoln, declares his feelings through a series of cue cards at her door.

However, Knightley has previously expressed reservations about the scene. In a 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times, she described its romantic gesture as “quite creepy” and recalled questioning the way it was presented while filming.

She also pointed out that she was only 17 at the time, a detail she felt audiences had not fully appreciated when discussing the scene