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Love Actually fans gobsmacked as they discover Emma Thompson’s famous soap star sister

Fans of the beloved Christmas film Love Actually[1] have been left gobsmacked upon discovering that star Emma Thompson[2] has a famous soap actress for a sister. The festive favourite, which hit screens in 2003 under the direction of Richard Curtis, has become one of the most successful Yuletide films. It boasts a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Coin Firth and Liam Neeson, with Denise Richards and even Ant and Dec making appearances.

The rom-com follows eight interconnected couples navigating their love lives in the lead up to Christmas[3]. However, it's recently come to light that acting is a family affair for Emma Thompson, who plays Karen in the film, as her younger sister is none other than soap legend Sophie Thompson.

No captionEmma is a firm favourite in Love Actually ((Image: LA))Celebrity Gogglebox fans floored as famous face 'drops c-word' minutes into show[4]The Chase viewers in tears as Bradley Walsh halts show to share emotional message[5]

An Olivier Award-winning actress, Sophie has starred in several romantic comedies like Four Weddings and a Funeral and played Mafalda Hopkirk in Harry Potter[6] and the Deathly Hallows Part One. Interestingly, Emma also had a role in the Harry Potter series, playing Professor Trelawney.

But soap enthusiasts will best[7] know Sophie for her portrayal of Stella Crawford, the villainous fiancee of Phil Mitchell in BBC's EastEnders[8] from 2006 to 2007, where she was embroiled in some dark storylines including secretly abusing Phil's son Ben.

No captionHer sister appeared on EastEnders ((Image: BBC))

Stella met her dramatic end on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, marrying Hartman. The bombshell truth was dropped by Ben at the altar, sending Stella dashing away and culminating in a rooftop plunge after a heated chase by an enraged Phil, reports the Express[9]. EastEnders enthusiasts were gobsmacked to discover the family ties between Emma and Sophie on a fan page dedicated to the soap.

One viewer exclaimed: "Didn't realise Sophie (Stella) was Emma's sister." Another chimed in, admitting: "I didn't know either until the other day....." While a third was astounded: "No way!" Sophie has showcased her talents beyond EastEnders, having played the offbeat clairvoyant Rosemary in Coronation Street[10] back in 2018.

No captionSophie is also a talented and accomplished actor ((Image: Rex))

Discussing her foray into Corrie and return to soapland on Good Morning Britain[11] in 2018, Sophie confessed: "Soap is such an extraordinary thing as you have to get on a bus that's moving at quite a speed so it's such a strange sensation."

She compared the experience to joining motorway traffic: "It's like a curious merge, and I always find merging on the motorway quite discombobulating and that merge in work terms is also discombobulating although they're all so welcoming there, but it's strange, there's no getting away from it."

References

  1. ^ Love Actually (www.mirror.co.uk)
  2. ^ Emma Thompson (www.mirror.co.uk)
  3. ^ Christmas (www.mirror.co.uk)
  4. ^ Celebrity Gogglebox fans floored as famous face 'drops c-word' minutes into show (www.mirror.co.uk)
  5. ^ The Chase viewers in tears as Bradley Walsh halts show to share emotional message (www.mirror.co.uk)
  6. ^ Harry Potter (www.mirror.co.uk)
  7. ^ will best (www.mirror.co.uk)
  8. ^ EastEnders (www.mirror.co.uk)
  9. ^ the Express (www.express.co.uk)
  10. ^ Coronation Street (www.mirror.co.uk)
  11. ^ Good Morning Britain (www.mirror.co.uk)