Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hugh Grant divulges subtle ‘in-joke’ hidden away in ‘nauseating’ Notting Hill scene

Actor recalled small detail about romcom in new interview

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 15 March 2023 07:22 EDT
Comments
Hugh Grant mocks Drew Barrymore’s ‘horrendous’ singing in Music & Lyrics

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Hugh Grant has divulged a subtle “in-joke” hidden away in the “nauseating” final scene of Notting Hill.

The British actor appeared in the 1999 romcom as bookshop owner William Thacker alongside Julia Roberts, who played Hollywood film star Anna Scott.

In the film’s closing moments, William and Anna can be seen cosied up together on a park bench, with Grant’s character reading a book.

In a new interview with Wired, Grant was asked if he remembered what book he was reading in the scene.

The actor, who referred to the scene as “nauseating”, not only remembered, but revealed how it was an in-joke placed there by director Roger Michell, who died in 2021.

“In that nauseating moment on the bench at the end, I’m reading Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières, which was going to be his next film,” Grant said, adding: “So it’s a little in-joke from Roger Michell, God rest his soul.”

Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in ‘Notting Hill’
Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in ‘Notting Hill’ (Netflix)

Notting Hill was written by Richard Curtis.

The interview saw Grant, alongside Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez, answer “the web’s most-searched questions” about the actors. The trio star in film Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, which is out in cinemas on 31 March.

Elsewhere in the interview, Grant mocked his Music & Lyrics co-star Drew Barrymore’s “horrendous” singing voice.

On Sunday (12 March), Grant was accused of “obnoxious” behaviour after a “disastrous” red carpet interview divided his fanbase.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in