Love Actually: Martine McCutcheon says divisive ‘cue card’ scene is ‘not creepy at all’

Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon has spoken out in defence of the film’s divisive “cue card” scene.

The Christmas-set romantic movie has been a staple of the season for many viewers since its release in 2003, but the climactic scene, in which Mark (Andrew Lincoln) professes his love for Juliet (Keira Knightley) using written cue cards, has been mocked and parodied countless times.

Speaking to Digital Spy, McCutcheon, who played the role of Natalie, refuted the suggestion that the scene was somehow “creepy”.

“I don’t think it’s creepy at all,” she said. “I think people do crazy things when they are in love with people.

“He had his moment where he thought, ‘Enough now, I’ve told her how I feel, I love my friend too but I had to get it off my chest in the right way.’ She’d already seen the video, and I think it was his way of making things explained and comfortable.”

Love Actually was written and directed by Richard Curtis, and also starred Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy and Rowan Atkinson.

In the same interview, McCutcheon also explained why she thinks the film has such enduring appeal at Christmastime.

“It’s a really human take on love and shows all its different complexities,” she said.

McCutcheon is currently starring in a promotional campaign for Now TV’s “Greetings Gram” service, in which she can be seen recreating the famous Love Actually scene.

The service allows users in the UK to send personalised, socially distanced messages to loved ones, printed on cards and performed by a messenger.

You can find out more about the service here.