Real reason Rowan Atkinson appears twice in Love Actually as he confirms wild fan theory

There’s no denying it at this point, the festive season is officially here.

And with this being the most popular week for it, you might be currently nursing a hangover from your work’s Christmas party or simply looking to get all cosy. So, tonight (12 December) seems like the perfect night for a good old holiday film binge.

With plenty of choice available, Love Actually is absolutely one of the classics and gets fans talking about wild theories and plot points every year.

One of those is, of course, regarding just why Rowan Atkinson makes two small but arguably crucial appearances. And as he returns to screens this week in a new Netflix series, the Mr Bean actor has confirmed just what fans have been thinking for years.

Rowan Atkinson’s two appearances

So, of course, the first time we see Atkinson on screen as Rufus is that stressful gift wrapping scene with Harry (Alan Rickman).

Probably everyone’s least favourite character in the film, the bloke has decided to buy his mistress a fancy necklace while his wife Karen (Emma Thompson) is shopping at the same time.

And much to his frustration, Rufus takes f**king forever to wrap it up, bringing out various boxes and decorations for such a long time that Harry actually tells him to ‘leave it’.

Then we see Atkinson appear again when he holds up the queue at the airport with a pile of his things, allowing little Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) to say goodbye to his crush.

A small but crucial scene (Universal Pictures)

The ‘angel’ theory

It’s long been said by fans that Atkinson’s character serves as a ‘Christmas angel’ in the film, allowing these important moments to take place.

And it’s rumoured Rufus was really meant to be one in an earlier draft of the script, and was potentially supposed to have completely stopped Harry’s affair from happening.

Script editor of the Richard Curtis film, Emma Freud, also previously confirmed this as she revealed the reason behind the two appearances.

“Originally Rowan’s character over-wrapped the gift on purpose to stop Alan Rickman being able to buy the necklace,” she wrote on X. “Because he was an angel.”

One fan reacted: “OMG I KNEW IT!!!!! My husband and my family never believe me when I say he was a Christmas angel!!!!!!! Rowan Atkinson FTW!”

Another said: “Watched Love Actually AGAIN and seen Rowan Atkinson in a new light. Everything makes sense now. He’s a total angel.”

It makes a lot of sense when you think about it (Universal Pictures)

What has Rowan Atkinson now said about it?

With it said that the actor was supposed to have more scenes and a clearer role of a ‘Christmas angel’, Scott Mills brought it up during his BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

“Well actually, I mean in theory [being a Christmas angel] is still his role when my character is doing the wrapping in Selfridge’s of the gift,” Atkinson said.

He also confirmed that Rufus was in fact trying to get Harry caught in the act as he added that Rickman was actually ‘driven insane’ by the scene due partly to them filming late into the night in the department store.