Richard Curtis admits he DOES name characters after Bernard Jenkin
That’s not love actually! Richard Curtis admits he DOES name unlikeable characters ‘Bernard’ after Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin who stole and married his university girlfriend
- A Bernard character features in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill
- In Love Actually, Bernard is ‘horrid child’ of husband and wife Harry and Karen
Acclaimed filmmaker Richard Curtis has admitted that he named irritating characters in his films after Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, who married his university girlfriend.
MailOnline told last week how a ‘hapless Bernard’ character features in films including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones’s Diary, all of which were written by Curtis.
And Nursie, the much-loved character in Curtis’s hit TV show Blackadder, is actually called Bernard.
Curtis dated Baroness Anne Jenkin when the pair were at Oxford, but she went on to tie the knot with Sir Bernard, who is an enthusiastic nudist.
Speaking to the Telegraph, the filmmaker admitted yesterday: ‘All I would say is, at the most there’s a smidgen of truth in it, but that’s about it.
‘It’s much more to do with it being a useful character name […] rather than anything to do with Bernard Jenkin.’
Asked if he was getting his own back on Baroness Jenkin, he added: ‘She’s a friend of mine and she married someone called Bernard. I can’t say anything more than that.’
Below, MailOnline expands on all of Curtis’s Bernard characters.
Acclaimed director Richard Curtis (pictured left with his wife Emma Freud) has admitted that he names irritating characters in his films after Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, who married his university girlfriend. Curtis dated Baroness Anne Jenkin when the pair were at Oxford, but she went on to tie the knot with Sir Bernard (both right), who is an enthusiastic nudist
As the brains behind some of Britain’s best-loved films and TV shows, Richard Curtis (left) has delighted millions with his sense of humour. But, as evidenced by the ‘hapless Bernard’ character who is present in many of his productions, Curtis appears to have nursed a decades-old fury at having his university girlfriend whisked away by Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin (right)
Four Weddings and a Funeral
The plot of 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, which Curtis wrote, revolves around the romantic struggles of Charles, played by Hugh Grant, and his friends.
One of the weddings sees Lydia, played by Sophie Thompson, tie the knot with Bernard, played by David Haig.
Earlier in the film, during the wedding of Angus and Laura, Lydia dismisses Bernard as a potential love match but by the end of the ceremony is seen kissing him passionately.
One of the weddings in Four Weddings and a Funeral sees Lydia, played by Sophie Thompson, tie the knot with Bernard, played by David Haig
Earlier in the film, during the wedding of characters Angus and Laura, Sophie dismisses Bernard as a potential love match but by the end of the ceremony is seen kissing him passionately
Speaking of Curtis’s presence at her wedding, Baroness Jenkin previously told the Telegraph how the ceremony helped to inspire the film.
‘Richard draws a lot on his own experiences. In our old gang there used to be a girl called Lydia, too,’ she said.
‘And if you look at our wedding video you will see Richard in the background making notes.
‘There are clearly bits from the wedding that are reflected in Four Weddings. It’s all a bit of fun but quite flattering.’
Notting Hill
Curtis also wrote the screenplay for 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill, which again starred Hugh Grant.
It told the story of book seller Will Thacker and his romance with Hollywood film star Anna Scott, after their chance meeting in his shop.
Scott, played by Julia Roberts, is introduced to Thacker’s sister and his friends, one of whom is hapless banker Bernie, played by Hugh Bonneville.
In 1999 film Notting Hill, Hugh Bonneville plays hapless banker Bernie, who fails to recognise movie star Anna Scott when he meets her for the first time
One famous moment in the film shows Bernie failing to recognise Anna Scott when he meets her for the first time.
Asking her what she does, she tells him she’s an actress, prompting him to tell her how it’s a ‘tough job’ and the ‘wages are a scandal.’
Bernie then asks her what she was paid for her most recent film. When she tells him, ‘$50million’, Bonneville’s character replies: ‘Right, so that’s fairly good.’
Notting Hill told the story of book seller Will Thacker and his romance with Hollywood film star Anna Scott, after their chance meeting in his shop
Bridget Jones’ Diary
Bridget Jones’s Diary, released in 2001, was an adaptation of Helen Fielding’s hugely popular novel.
Curtis was one of three writers who worked on the screenplay, along with Andrew Davies and Ms Fielding herself.
Renée Zellweger’s Bridget is seen attending what she thinks is a ‘Tarts & Vicars’ party dressed as a Playboy Bunny.
One nervous attendee, named only as Bernard, is seen dressed as an Archbishop. The character was portrayed by Dominic McHale.
Bridget Jones’s Diary, released in 2001, was an adaptation of Helen Fielding’s hugely popular novel. Renée Zellweger’s Bridget is seen attending what she thinks is a ‘Tarts & Vicars’ party dressed as a Playboy Bunny. One nervous attendee, named only as Bernard, is seen dressed as a Catholic cardinal
Love Actually
Love Actually, which was Curtis’s directorial debut, was released in 2003.
Alan Rickman’s character Harry, the managing director of a design agency, has son Bernard and daughter Daisy with his wife Karen, who is portrayed by Emma Thompson.
The unlikeable and mischievous Bernie, portrayed by William Wadham, is described as the couple’s ‘horrid son’.
Curtis later explained how he ‘mourned’ the decision to cut many of the scenes showing the ‘deeply unpleasant’ child.
In a famous deleted scene, Rickman is seen telling his wife: ‘Perhaps we should just give him away, we’ve got one very nice child, surely one is enough.’
Love Actually, which was Curtis’s directorial debut, was released in 2003. Alan Rickman’s character Harry, the managing director of a design agency, has son Bernard and daughter Daisy with his wife Karen, who is portrayed by Emma Thompson. Bernard is described as the couple’s ‘horrid son’
Bernard and the Genie
Fantasy comedy Bernard and the Genie, released in 1991, was written by Curtis.
It tells the story of art dealer Bernard Bottle – played by Alan Cumming – and his discovery of genie Josephus in an old bottle.
Having been abandoned by his girlfriend, Bernard gets help from the genie, played by Lenny Henry via his granting of wishes.
Fantasy comedy Bernard and the Genie, released in 1991, was written by Curtis. It tells the story of art dealer Bernard Bottle – played by Alan Cumming – and his discovery of a genie in an old bottle
Having been abandoned by his girlfriend, Bernard gets help from the genie, played by Lenny Henry, via his granting of wishes. Above: The pair in 1991
Blackadder
Of all Curtis’s TV creations, Blackadder, which he co-wrote with star Rowan Atkinson, is perhaps the most famous.
Released in 1983, it ran for four series until 1989, telling the story of Edmund Blackadder in various historical eras.
One much-loved character in Blackadder II was Nursie, who was played by Patsy Byrne.
The woman, whose real name was revealed as Bernard, was the childhood nurse of Miranda Richardson’s Queen Elizabeth I.
One famous scene sees her tell the Queen how she had three sisters, called Donald, Eric and Basil.
Asked why she is called Nursie, she explains, ‘that aint my real name’. Having revealed her name, the Queen responds: ‘Suits you actually.’
Of all Curtis’s TV creations, Blackadder, which he co-wrote with star Rowan Atkinson, is perhaps the most famous. One much-loved character in Blackadder II was Nursie (right), who was played by Patsy Byrne. The woman, whose real name was revealed as Bernard, was the childhood nurse of Miranda Richardson’s Queen Elizabeth I (left)
Bean
Sitcom Mr Bean first appeared on TV screens in 1990, making Rowan Atkinson’s character a household name.
But 1997 film Bean marked the first time he appeared on the big screen.
It was also Killing Eve star Sandra Oh’s first appearance in an American film.
Portraying art gallery curator Bernice Schimmel, Ms Oh was 26 when the film was released.
It isn’t clear if the character’s name was another nod to Sir Bernard, but the role did help launch Ms Oh’s film career.
Sandra Oh appeared as art gallery curator Bernice Schimmel in 1997 film Bean
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