Hugh Grant is the king of romantic comedies but he has recently moved away from the traditional floppy-haired bachelor he usually plays. Following his departure from the world of romance, Grant has gone on to play more villainous roles, starring in Paddington 2, The Gentleman, and A Very English Scandal.
Since the early '90s, Grant has been typecast into romantic roles where he seemingly charms his way into the arms of an English rose. Now he is taking on more unique parts that stray from his typically awkward but boyish roles and fans are here for it.
Typecast
Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)
Four Weddings And A Funeral was one of Grant’s earliest romantic roles. Within the movie, he plays a commitment-fearing bachelor with rounded glasses and floppy hair, but his commitment phobia is soon cured when he meets Cassie. This was one of Grant’s most iconic roles due to his appearance and nervous disposition, and his inability to communicate how he felt is something viewers fell in love with.
His role as a bumbling British bachelor proved popular with fans, with him often stuttering and stammering when trying to express that he did, in fact, love Cassie. His anxiety when revealing his feelings made it even more charming, which is potentially why fans wanted to see more of him in similar roles.
Love Actually (2003)
Despite his role as prime minister in Love Actually, Grant doesn't represent the confidence so many would assume a Prime Minister would have. Instead, he continues to play the blundering British man. He may talk the talk with his ive-aggressive speech aimed at the U.S. president and his businessman attire, but can he really walk the walk?
Grant's character fails to be the suave businessman he presents himself as when it comes to his love life. But he adopts his familiar awkward charm to win the heart of Natalie and viewers love him all the more for it. Grant's role as Prime Minister was endearing to viewers when he became possibly the most human and relatable PM in cinematic history. He brought the humor and awkwardness that fans were both familiar with and loved which is why Love Actually continues to be one of his most heartwarming roles.
Notting Hill (1999)
The floppy hair returned in 1999 when Grant starred in Notting Hill as geeky bookshop owner William Thacker, who becomes doe-eyed when he meets famous actress Anna Scott. Grant's role in Notting Hill is just another one in which he was typecast, but that doesn't make his common quirks any less lovable. In the movie, he plays a somewhat reserved Brit who finds humor in his own awkwardness, especially when contrasted alongside the cool, confident American called Anna.
Grant's role in this movie is one of romance, with William and Anna being ranked one of the most wholesome '90s rom-com couples. He stutters and stammers whenever he encounters Anna, whilst simultaneously making self-deprecating jokes that result in him questioning why Anna would ever want to be with him. William is a thoroughly likable character due to the calm nature that Grant exudes so naturally in many rom-coms. He is reserved, scared of commitment, but continues to fall in love so easily, which is perhaps what makes viewers love Grant time and time again.
Bridget Jones Diary (2001)
One of the roles Hugh Grant is most known for is his role as Daniel Cleaver in the Bridget Jones movies. Daniel Cleaver is an arrogant journalist who always puts himself first, however, Grant does gravitate to his usual lover boy role despite his somewhat lack of empathy for Bridget.
He is attractive, British, and charming, his character tries to win Bridget's heart, often showing his hidden romantic side through his endearing nickname for "Bridge." His potty mouth and lovable charm leave viewers to also fall in love with Daniel Cleaver and his cheeky manner, making Bridget Jones Diary the perfect feel-good movie.
Not Typecast
The Gentlemen (2019)
Grant went from a boyish character to a gangster in Guy Richie's The Gentlemen. He abandoned his posh London charm for a cockney twang that left viewers questioning whether it was even Hugh Grant at all. His floppy hair was replaced with a slicked-back look and his round-framed glasses were switched for square glasses with colored lenses.
It wasn't just Grant's appearance that detracted from his previous typecast roles, but also his personality and mannerisms. In many of his early romantic comedies, his charm was based solely on his nervous disposition, but in The Gentlemen, viewers were given a confident character who walks with a swagger and adopts a somewhat seedy personality. He is the perfect gangster that happily manipulates others into the world of crime, which is a complete contrast to the sweet lover boy he is usually cast as.
A Very English Scandal (2018)
Grant seems to be the perfect actor for political roles, whether that be the humorous Prime Minister he plays in Love Actually or MP Jeremy Thorpe in A Very English Scandal. Based on the real story of Jeremy Thorpe and Norman Scott, Grant plays a liberal MP determined to succeed, but under his polished appearance is a hidden relationship that ends in Thorpe attempting to get his ex-lover murdered.
Grant's role is very different from the likable political figure viewers adored in Love Actually. His slicked-back hair is just one element of how producers sought to capture Thorpe's image. Viewers grew a strong dislike towards Grant in the role due to his character's conniving personality and smug smile, not to mention his ability to manipulate and be self-assured when pleading his innocence. Of course, his character is proved to be untrustworthy, which is just one reason why Grant's role in this series was far different from the dreamy, overly honest man viewers were familiar with.
Death To 2020 (2020)
The reserved and calm natured Hugh Grant that viewers are familiar with is replaced by an arrogant and chaotic historian in Death To 2020. His typically boyish good looks are replaced here by an older white-haired gentleman dressed in tweed and thick-rimmed glasses. His personality is also different, with his quiet timid voice restored by an overly confident tone that is full of knowledge.
Grant plays historian Tennyson Foss in the movie, the knowledge his character exudes is one similar to William Thacker's literary as Tennyson is clued up on pop culture. However, the way the two deliver information shows a clear contrast. Thacker's humility is juxtaposed with Tennyson's arrogance, and Grant plays this role with confidence and has viewers believing that he is, in fact, a historian, through his suave appearance and knowledgable speech.
Paddington 2 (2017)
Daniel Cleaver may have been a womanizer but viewers still had a lot of love for him. However, when Hugh Grant turned his attention towards playing more villainous roles, nobody expected his role in Paddington 2. Grant plays Phoenix Buchanan, a narcissistic villain obsessed with himself and antagonizing Paddington bear.
His appearance epitomizes the stereotypical old-time villain through the use of a cravat, fedora, and checkered tweed suit, which is also mirrored through his cunning and sinister personality. Grant's role as Phoenix Buchanan couldn't be any more different from his usual roles, especially when he performs a musical number in a stripy pink jumpsuit equipped with flared tros and bell sleeves. Viewers couldn't help but love this new and unusual role, with many hoping to see more of him with rumors surrounding a third Paddington movie.
