Rowan Atkinson Confirms Fan Theory That Changes How You Watch ‘Love Actually’

One of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time, Love Actually, has held a secret that fans have been trying to decipher for years. The mystery revolves around the iconic scene where Rowan Atkinson’s character takes an agonizingly long time to wrap a gift Harry, played by Alan Rickman, is buying for his mistress. Now, more than two decades after the film’s release, the famous actor has finally confirmed the bizarre theory explaining the true reason for the delay.

In the Richard Curtis film, which features a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, and Emma Thompson, Atkinson plays a jewelry salesman named Rufus. His scene in the department store, where he turns gift-wrapping into an elaborate artistic performance, is a pivotal moment where Harry almost gets caught cheating by his wife, Karen.

For years, fans on social media have theorized that Rufus is actually a guardian angel who intentionally stalls to prevent Harry from completing the purchase and betraying his wife. During a recent guest appearance on a BBC show, Atkinson put the speculation to rest.

When asked about the online claims that his character was conceived as a Christmas angel in earlier script drafts, the actor gave a clear answer. He admitted that, in theory, being a Christmas angel is still essentially his role when he is wrapping the gift at Selfridges. Atkinson confirmed that his character’s purpose was indeed to disrupt the affair.

This confirmation proves that fans were right all along and validates numerous theories that have circulated on Reddit. Information that Rufus was an angel in early drafts first leaked from Emma Freud, the film’s script editor, but hearing it from the actor himself adds a new layer of canon to the classic film.

Some viewers had always suspected this twist, noting that Rufus clearly tried to stop the necklace purchase and seemed to know exactly what was happening. Others pointed out that he appears again later in the film at the airport, helping the young character Sam evade security to say goodbye to his crush.

Atkinson also shared a fun behind-the-scenes detail, revealing that Alan Rickman was genuinely driven crazy by the lengthy filming of that scene, which dragged on late into the night. Now that the mystery is solved, that frustratingly slow wrapping scene carries a completely different, heartwarming meaning.

Do you think the movie is better knowing Rufus is a supernatural guardian, or did you prefer him just being an eccentric salesman? let us know in the comments.