The Notting Hill Cast: 9 Shocking Updates & New Roles For Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, And Co. In 2024/2025

Twenty-five years ago, the world fell in love with a simple London bookseller and the most famous movie star on the planet. Richard Curtis’s romantic comedy masterpiece, Notting Hill, released on May 28, 1999, remains a cinematic touchstone, but its iconic cast has certainly not been standing still. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the stars who brought William Thacker, Anna Scott, and the eccentric flatmates to life are busier than ever, with major new film roles, surprising career shifts, and even a return to a beloved franchise.

This deep dive reveals the latest, most current projects and surprising career developments for the entire central Notting Hill cast, proving that for this group of British and American acting royalty, the journey is far from over. From blockbuster sequels to dark psychological thrillers, here is what the cast is doing *now*.

The Complete Notting Hill Cast: Then and Now Biography

The core ensemble of Notting Hill, a perfect blend of Hollywood star power and British comedic talent, created one of the most beloved on-screen friendships in movie history. Here is a look at the central figures and their unforgettable roles.

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• Julia Roberts as Anna Scott: The world's most famous American actress, who walks into a travel bookshop and changes the owner's life forever.
• Hugh Grant as William Thacker: The charming, perpetually flustered owner of The Travel Book Co. in Notting Hill, London.
• Rhys Ifans as Spike: William's hilariously unkempt, Welsh, and utterly clueless flatmate.
• Emma Chambers as Honey Thacker: William's sweet, socially awkward, and instantly lovable younger sister.
• Tim McInnerny as Max: William's reserved, loyal, and quietly supportive best friend.
• Gina McKee as Bella: Max's sharp-witted, wheelchair-using wife who provides a grounding force for the group.
• Hugh Bonneville as Bernie: The perpetually cheerful, slightly bumbling friend of William and Max.
• Richard McCabe as Tony: The struggling restaurateur friend who hosts William and Anna’s disastrous first date.
• Alec Baldwin as Jeff King: Anna Scott’s American movie star boyfriend (uncredited cameo).

From Rom-Com Charm to Dark Villains: Hugh Grant’s Surprising Career Shift

Hugh Grant, the king of the 1990s and early 2000s romantic comedy genre, has undergone one of the most dramatic and fascinating career transformations of any actor in the Notting Hill cast.

The William Thacker Era is Over: While his role as William Thacker cemented his image as the floppy-haired, stammering, self-deprecating Englishman, Grant has spent the last decade embracing darker, more complex, and often villainous roles.

Hugh Grant's Latest Projects (2024-2025)

The actor's recent filmography is a testament to this shift, showcasing a desire to play against type and challenge audience expectations. His latest roles are some of his most unexpected yet.

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• Heretic (2024): Grant stars in this psychological horror film from A24, released in November 2024, a genre completely new to his repertoire. Critics praised his "unexpected" and chilling performance, proving his versatility extends beyond comedy.
• Paddington in Peru (2024/2025): While he is known to a younger audience as the villain Phoenix Buchanan from the *Paddington* franchise, he is confirmed to have a cameo in the upcoming third installment, *Paddington in Peru*.
• Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025): In a major piece of news for rom-com fans, Grant is confirmed to be reprising his iconic role as the cad Daniel Cleaver in the fourth installment of the *Bridget Jones* series. This return to the Richard Curtis universe is highly anticipated and marks a nostalgic nod to his past.

This blend of unsettling horror, family comedy, and a return to a beloved franchise makes Grant’s current career trajectory one of the most exciting among the entire Notting Hill ensemble.

Julia Roberts, Rhys Ifans, and the Friends: What the Rest of the Cast is Doing Now

The supporting cast of Notting Hill, often referred to as 'The Friends' (Max, Bella, Bernie, and Honey), provided the emotional heart and comedic timing that made the film a classic. Their recent work spans from major Hollywood thrillers to beloved British television and theatre.

Julia Roberts (Anna Scott): The Thriller Queen

Julia Roberts, who played the enigmatic Anna Scott, continues to be one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. Following her success in the 2023 thriller *Leave the World Behind*, Roberts is set to headline a major 2025 release that shows her leaning into the psychological thriller genre.

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• After the Hunt (2025): Roberts is slated to star in this psychological thriller, directed by Luca Guadagnino (*Challengers*). The film, which also co-stars Ayo Edebiri, follows a college professor struggling to reckon with a dark secret. This "provocative" role is a departure from her classic romantic leads.
• Other Projects: She is also attached to *The Way We Were: A Love Rewritten* (2025), a project that reunites her with frequent collaborator George Clooney.

Rhys Ifans (Spike): From Flatmate to Fantasy Epic

Rhys Ifans’s portrayal of the slovenly but endearing Spike was a breakout performance that launched him to international fame. In the years since, he has balanced independent films with major franchise roles.

• Blockbuster and Indie Balance: Ifans is confirmed to be in the upcoming Marvel sequel *Venom: The Last Dance* (2024), where he is expected to reprise his role as Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard from the *Spider-Man* universe.
• Prestige TV: He is also a key figure in the fantasy epic *House of the Dragon*, where he plays the ambitious Otto Hightower, with the third season anticipated in 2025.
• New Films: His recent film credits also include the indie film *Mother Couch* (2024) and the upcoming thriller *Inheritance* (2025).

Hugh Bonneville (Bernie): The Downton Abbey & Paddington Stalwart

Hugh Bonneville, who played the cheerful but forgettable Bernie, is now globally recognized for his work in two massive British franchises.

• Franchise Returns: He will reprise his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in the highly anticipated *Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale* (2025), and as Henry Brown in *Paddington in Peru* (2025), cementing his status as a pillar of British cinema.
• New Lead Role: Bonneville has also secured a new lead movie role in the crime comedy *Go Away!*

Tim McInnerny (Max) and Gina McKee (Bella)

Tim McInnerny and Gina McKee, who played the couple Max and Bella, remain active in both film and theatre.

• Tim McInnerny: Known for his long career in British comedy (*Blackadder*), McInnerny recently appeared in the 2024 film *The End*, starring Tilda Swinton. He continues to take on diverse character roles in film and television.
• Gina McKee: McKee continues to receive acclaim for her stage work, recently starring in *The Years* at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London. She also appeared in the 2022 film *My Policeman*.

The Enduring Legacy of Honey Thacker and Notting Hill’s Secret Facts

The film’s heart was undoubtedly William’s sister, Honey Thacker, played by the late Emma Chambers.

Emma Chambers's Legacy: Sadly, Emma Chambers passed away in 2018 at the age of 53. Her performance as the sweet, earnest Honey, and her iconic role as Alice Tinker in the British sitcom *The Vicar of Dibley*, ensures her legacy as a beloved comic actress lives on. Her passing was deeply felt by her co-stars and fans, and her scenes in *Notting Hill* are often cited as the most heartwarming.

Surprising Notting Hill Trivia You Might Have Missed

The film’s success is built on a foundation of fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and creative choices by writer Richard Curtis.

• The Famous Blue Door: The iconic blue door of William Thacker's flat was a real door on a real house in Notting Hill, originally owned by Richard Curtis himself. The current door, though a different color now, still draws countless tourists.
• Julia Roberts's Wardrobe: In a deliberate choice to ground Anna Scott's character in reality, Julia Roberts wore her own clothes for many of the scenes, including the famous "Surreal but nice" shirt.
• Alec Baldwin’s Uncredited Cameo: The intense scene where William first meets Anna’s American boyfriend, Jeff King, was played by Alec Baldwin, who took the role as an uncredited favor to the production.
• The Bookshop Inspiration: The Travel Book Co. was directly inspired by a real-life travel bookshop, which was located on Blenheim Crescent in Notting Hill.

From the enduring charm of Hugh Grant's return to the rom-com world to Julia Roberts's pivot to dark thrillers, the cast of Notting Hill continues to shape the landscape of cinema and television. Their ongoing success, 25 years after the film's release, is a powerful testament to the timeless magic created in that little bookshop in London.