Hugh Grant thinks his ‘Notting Hill’ character was ‘despicable’

Hugh Grant has a surprisingly critical view of his character in the beloved 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill, despite the film’s widespread success and enduring fan base. The actor, who played William Thacker, a humble bookseller who falls in love with a famous actress (played by Julia Roberts), shared his thoughts on the role in a recent conversation for Vanity Fair’s Scene Selection.

Grant admitted that whenever he watches Notting Hill on TV, particularly after a few drinks, he can’t help but feel disappointed with his portrayal of William. “Whenever I’m flicking the channels at home and this comes up, I just think, ‘Why doesn’t my character have any balls?’” Grant explained. One particular scene from the film, in which the paparazzi harass Anna (Roberts) while she’s in William’s house, stood out to him. As the paps ring the doorbell, Grant’s character hesitates and lets Anna handle the situation on her own. “I just let her go past me and open the door. That’s awful,” he confessed.

For many, William’s passive nature may have seemed endearing, especially given the romantic tension between him and Anna. However, Grant sees it differently. His character, while sweet and well-meaning, comes across as lacking the courage to protect Anna from the pressures of her fame, which Grant believes makes him a “despicable” character. He recalled how his real-life partners often criticized him for not intervening. “I’ve never had a girlfriend, or indeed now wife, who hasn’t said, ‘Why the hell didn’t you stop her? What’s wrong with you?’” he said, admitting he has no good answer to the criticism. “And I don’t really have an answer to that. It’s how it was written. And I think he’s despicable, really.”

Despite Notting Hill being one of his most iconic roles, Grant has often been outspoken about his dissatisfaction with his acting performances, especially in the romantic comedies that made him a household name in the ’90s. He’s known for playing charming yet flawed characters in films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, and Notting Hill. However, Grant has admitted to feeling uneasy about his past work.

In a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Grant discussed his discomfort with watching his own performances. “I’ve read that I hate all my films. That’s not true, the films are often great. It’s just me that I loathe,” he said. “I always think, ‘Oh, you f***ed that up.’” This self-critical nature is not unique to his Notting Hill performance, but a pattern that Grant has noticed throughout his career. “You never feel great about your own stuff,” he continued. “It’s like in the old days of answering machine messages. You always felt nauseated when you heard your own voice. And watching yourself on film is that times 50.”

Despite his feelings about his performances, Grant’s career in romantic comedies helped redefine the genre in the ’90s. His charming, awkward screen presence and vulnerability became synonymous with the romantic comedy formula. But in recent years, the actor has distanced himself from that genre, seeking out more varied roles, including his recent turn in the acclaimed HBO series The Undoing and the comedic thriller The Gentlemen. These performances have shown a different side of Grant, one that embraces complexity and darker material.

However, Notting Hill remains a defining moment in Grant’s career, and many fans still view his portrayal of William as one of the most memorable and endearing performances in romantic comedy history. While Grant may be critical of his own work, audiences continue to find charm in the film’s exploration of love, fame, and vulnerability.

In the end, it seems that Grant’s self-criticism is just another layer of his thoughtful approach to acting. Though he may not have a high opinion of William Thacker, his portrayal of the character has nonetheless stood the test of time. Grant’s candidness about his discomfort with his own work, combined with his ability to evolve as an actor, reflects a career that, while filled with challenges, has also been marked by immense success and personal growth.