The Love Actually Character You Are Based On Your Zodiac Sign
The holidays are approaching, which can only mean one thing: it's time to start watching "Love Actually" on repeat. While wars could be started over what's the best holiday movie, Richard Curtis' "Love Actually" seems like a strong contender. Beloved by people from all walks of life, it's basically the Dolly Parton of Christmas flicks. "Love Actually" follows different characters trying to find love and themselves. There's Billy (Bill Nighy), an aging rock star who sells out to make a Christmas song; the Prime Minister (the always-charming Hugh Grant), who finds himself enchanted by his quirky new assistant; and Karen (Emma Thompson), who discovers that her seemingly stable marriage has a crack in it.
While critics didn't universally love the film, the same can't be said for audiences. "Love Actually" was a box-office success, grossing $245 million worldwide. While this success may be attributed to the film's use of tried-and-true rom-com tropes and its feel-good holiday magic, a deeper look reveals that perhaps "Love Actually" works so well because its characters embody all of the signs of the zodiac. This makes for some great fun (the Leo-Gemini match of the Prime Minister and Natalie) and tension (the difficult Aries-Cancer combo of Harry and Karen). Curious about which "Love Actually" character matches your sign? We've broken it down for you here.
Aries: Harry
Aries is named after Ares, the Greek god of war. This sign is ruled by Mars, the planet of action and drive. Not surprisingly, Aries can be a bit impulsive, passionate, and conflict-prone, which is Harry (Alan Rickman) to a tee. Harry has been married to Karen (Emma Thompson) for years and they have a family together, but he finds himself drawn to his new secretary, Mia (Heike Makatsch). Aries are known for going after what they want and sometimes do so without thinking of the consequences.
Harry flirts with Mia, going so far as to buy her a necklace for Christmas, which Karen later finds and assumes is for her. Harry is nearly caught buying this necklace when the jewelry salesman (Rowan Atkinson) takes an extremely long time to wrap it. Harry's Aries-style temper flares up, as the fire sign doesn't love it when things don't go their way. While Harry doesn't go through with this affair, he pursues it enough to rupture his marriage and create conflict in it. Hopefully, this Aries will take that same passion and drive to fix his relationship — or not, because it doesn't seem like he and Karen are that great of a match anyway.
Taurus: Jamie
Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and sensuality. Tauruses love love (actually) and also the good life of hedonistic delights and deep comforts. Jamie (Colin Firth) is a writer who escapes to his French cottage after a breakup. That's a very Taurean move, as the bulls of the Zodiac fall in love hard and feel heartbreak even harder. Jamie retreats to this space to revel in the earth's beauty, which is the best way for this earth sign to heal.
Jamie falls for Aurélia (Lúcia Moniz), his Portuguese housekeeper who doesn't speak English. That's not exactly surprising behavior for a Taurus, as they're known for their stubbornness and deep belief in being right: Jamie can't communicate with Aurelia, so he doesn't really know her at all, but that doesn't stop him from knowing that he's "right" about his feelings. When a Taurus connects with you — whether romantically, platonically, or otherwise — it's a connection for life, and they'll do anything for the relationship. Jamie learns Portuguese to propose to Aurelia in a grand romantic gesture. This sign often toes the line between romance and obsession, but luckily, it's more of the former in this case (we hope).
Gemini: Natalie
Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of information and technology; it's named for the Roman messenger god. Geminis are known for their communication, as they're often energetic, expressive, and fun. That's why Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) is the Gemini of "Love Actually."
Natalie is the new assistant to David, the Prime Minister. She struggles to censor herself and her unstoppable outpouring of words, often finding herself with her foot in her mouth. She somehow makes this charming and attractive, even if she's cursing at the Prime Minister when she first meets him. Geminis thrive in all forms of communication. Natalie proves her way with words in the written form as well when she confesses her feelings to David in an old-fashioned, hand-written card.
But this is a dual-natured sign; there are always two sides to a Gemini. You might encounter both within the same moment. Perhaps this is why David is so willing to believe that Natalie played him for the President of the United States (Billy Bob Thornton) when, in fact, Natalie only has eyes for him.
Cancer: Karen
Cancer is ruled by the moon. Like its galactic mother, the sign of Cancer is characterized by intuition, emotion, sensitivity, and the unconscious. Cancers can be moody like the moon, which, you know, has the power to change tides. In the universe of "Love Actually," Karen (Emma Thompson) is the Cancer.
Karen is a stay-at-home mom who takes care of her family, which fits the Cancer vibe. Cancers can be homebodies. They also strive to take care of others to make sure they feel comfortable and safe, too. Karen certainly does this in the home she's made for Harry and their kids. It's hard work taking care of everyone, and Cancers need a little care-taking, too, so Karen is thrilled to find a beautiful necklace in Harry's pocket; finally, she's getting some deserved validation. Unfortunately, the necklace isn't for her. Instead, Harry gives her a Joni Mitchell CD for Christmas, which actually is appropriate for a Cancer since Joni is gentle, sensitive, and emotional.
Cancers are symbolized by the crab. Don't be fooled by their soft bodies; they have a hard protective shell and will snap at you if you push them. It's not easy for a Cancer to forgive and forget. Karen doesn't let Harry off the hook, telling him instead that he's made a "mockery" of their marriage and of her.
Leo: David
Leos are ruled by the sun, which explains a lot about their sense of self in the world-slash-solar system (everyone revolves around them and will also die without them). Leos often act like they too are the sun, striving for center stage. David, the new Prime Minister, is a man who knows a thing or two about the spotlight. It's this central role that makes him the Leo of "Love Actually."
At the start of the film, David has just taken his post as Prime Minister. Like a real Leo, he's immediately comfortable in this public role. Leos typically have great hair (check), charm (check), and a deep focus on themselves (check and check). When David finds Natalie in a compromised position with the President of the United States, he immediately takes a selfish reading (she must not be interested in him) rather than considering her perspective. However, when he does discover the truth — that the President was inappropriate with Natalie — David goes into Leo protection mode and criticizes the President for his aggression. Like their lion counterparts, Leos will fight for the ones they love and also bask in the warm glow of the sun (such as when David and Natalie are caught kissing at the school play).
Virgo: Sarah
Virgo is also ruled by the planet of Mercury, along with Gemini. Unlike its Mercurial counterpart, Virgo has a very different approach to communication. Geminis can be externally communicative, but the analytical and critical Virgo often directs their communication inward. This can come off as perfectionist, private, and judgmental, but don't worry, it's really about them, not you. It's the hard-working, introverted Sarah (Laura Linney) who is the Virgo of "Love Actually."
Sarah has been at Harry's company for years. She's been in love with her extremely handsome coworker Karl (Rodrigo Santoro) since her first day. Virgos are known for repression, not expression. They're just not as comfortable with feelings as they are with logic and analysis. A classic Virgo, Sarah pushes her feelings for Karl down. Sarah is also focused on taking care of her brother, who's in a psychiatric facility. Virgos can be solution-oriented and geared towards helping others, so Sarah does all she can to aid her brother, even at great personal cost. When she finally gets out of her comfort zone to tell Karl how she feels, she ruins the moment by answering her brother's call in the middle. We can only hope that this Virgo lets herself take another chance at love.
Libra: Juliet
Libra is ruled by the planet of love and sensuality, Venus. Like their Taurean brethren, Libras love the good life and both aesthetic and material pleasures. This star sign is symbolized by scales, which represent finding balance. In the world of "Love Actually," there's really only one person who's balancing two opposing forces: Juliet (Keira Knightley).
We meet Juliet at her wedding to Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor), which is a well-curated, fancy affair. Peter's best friend, Mark (Andrew Lincoln) videotapes the wedding, but he's always a bit cold to Juliet. Naturally, she thinks that he hates her. Even so, she makes an effort to engage with him and keep the peace. It's a Libra move, as this sign often seeks to maintain balance by people-pleasing. Juliet doesn't seem to care that much whether Mark actually likes her; rather, it's more that she wants her and Peter's lives to run smoothly, and Mark is throwing a wrench into that Libra desire for equilibrium. When Mark confesses his feelings to Juliet, rather than just letting him go because she's with someone else, Juliet lets him go but also kisses him. The moment shows the indecisiveness that plagues Libras — or maybe she's just susceptible to the Christmas spirit.
Scorpio: Mark
The ruling planet of Scorpio is Pluto (yes, we still want to believe Pluto is a planet), the sphere of death and the subconscious. In Greek mythology, Pluto was another name for Hades, the god of the underworld, so it's no surprise that the sign of Scorpio is tied to these shadowy drives. If this sounds like anyone from "Love Actually," it's definitely Mark (Andrew Lincoln).
Scorpios are passionate to the point of obsession. They also have a mysterious, intense, sometimes-alluring dark side. That's pretty much Mark. He's so in love with his best friend's wife, Juliet, that he ices her out completely to protect himself. Major Scorpio move. Rather than tell her how he feels, he just casually arranges for a magnificent choir to sing at her wedding, knowing that this will appeal to her Libra sense of aesthetic pleasure. He also makes a creepy wedding video that just focuses on her. In true scheming Scorpio fashion, Mark plays a long game and shows up on Juliet's doorstep on Christmas with a series of placards declaring his feelings for her while her husband — and his ostensible best friend — sits just inside. It's weird, it's transgressive, it's kinda hot: all totally Scorpio.
Sagittarius: Colin
Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, which is associated with abundance and growth. This sign is often guided by an optimistic sense of curiosity. Sagittarians tend to feel like there's much to discover in the universe. Who better embodies these characteristics than Colin (Kris Marshall), who impulsively goes off to America to find love and adventure?
Colin can't get a date in England, so, in typical Sagittarius fashion, he finds a creative solution: change location and let his exotic British accent do the work in the U.S. Sagittarians don't shy from exploration; they'll be the first ones to buy a plane ticket on a whim and go see what's out there.
In their pursuit of knowledge, Sagittarians can sometimes be blunt about what they know (or think they know). In Milwaukee, Colin's cute accent softens the blow of any of his words. Like a real Sagittarius, Colin says yes to life and, in doing so, opens himself up to the unexpected gifts of the universe; in this case, four extremely attractive American women who are charmed by him and welcome him into their home.
Capricorn: Sam
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, which is the bossy planet of discipline and getting things done. In mythology, Saturn is the Roman form of the Greek Kronos, who was the father of the Olympian gods and ate all of his children, much in the way that Capricorns are known to "consume" their tasks and responsibilities. Don't get in the way of a Capricorn; nothing will stop them. The only possible option for a Capricorn in "Love Actually" is little Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster).
Don't let Sam's size fool you; this is a boy — nay, a man — with a goal, and that is to woo Joanna (Olivia Olson), an American classmate who doesn't notice him. It's no matter for this Capricorn. He simply decides to learn the drums to play in their school's Christmas pageant, where Joanna will perform. Nothing distracts Sam from this task. This determination is often an issue for Capricorns, as they get so tunnel-visioned that they forget about anything outside of their goals. It can also be hard for Capricorns to express their emotions, which Sam struggles with until he finds the courage to run through the airport and tell Joanna how he feels before she departs for the U.S. It turns out his Capricorn ambition paid off, as Joanna likes him too.
Aquarius: Billy
While it may be surprising that Aquarius isn't ruled by its own planet in some as-yet-unnamed galaxy, the water bearer of the Zodiac is actually ruled by Uranus (insert giggle here). In Greek mythology, Uranus was the god of the sky (in fact, this is still the Greek word for "sky"). This is a planet of expansiveness, change, and movement. Aquariuses are known for their innovation and ways of thinking outside the box. Rock 'n' roll star Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) is the clear contender for Aquarius in "Love Actually."
Aquariuses are well-suited for the arts or creative careers as they think and behave radically and take risks. Aquariuses can't be pinned down. Demonstrating this adaptability, Billy, the classic rock star, pivots to recording holiday music. Billy is noncommittal about this record, which fits the Aquarius vibe; this sign values its independence. In fact, Aquariuses can be so attached to freedom that they deny or ignore feelings that tie them to others, such as, say, deep love of the music manager who has supported you in every way. Luckily, Billy finally accepts his love of his manager, Joe (Gregor Fisher), and, in a real Aquarius moment, foregoes the social event of the year — Elton John's holiday party — to get drunk and watch porn with him.
Pisces: Daniel
The oldest sign of the Zodiac is ruled by Neptune, named after the Roman god of the sea. Like the sea, Neptune is a planet of watery depths full of dreams that drive the intuitive and sensitive Pisces. The sea can be murky or clear, a dichotomy that plagues Pisces, who alternate between profound understanding and deep confusion. It's the thoughtful, grieving father, Daniel (Liam Neeson), who occupies the Pisces position in "Love Actually."
Daniel has recently lost his wife and is trying to connect with his stepson, Sam, but it isn't until he sees — or picks up, rather — that Sam is in love that he's able to do so. Like a true Pisces, Daniel believes in connection and emotions. He does everything he can to help Sam pursue his love. On a practical level, this means gritting his teeth and bearing Sam's incessant drum practicing; on an emotional level, it means simply holding space for his young son. There's no better person to deliver this compassion and patience than a Pisces.