If you're in need of a little light relief from the anxiety-inducing news cycle, then we have just the remedy: 21 years after screenwriter and director Richard Curtis gifted the world his unrivalled Christmas rom-com Love Actually, the 67-year-old has written another festive offering, coming to Netflix later this year.
Fantasy comedy film That Christmas is scheduled to drop on the streaming giant on Friday 6 December, so there will be plenty of opportunities to re-watch on the lead-up to the big day.
The animated film is based on a series of Richard's children's books and is set in Suffolk, where Richard has a country house. It's produced by Locksmith Animation, animated by DNEG Animation and distributed by Netflix, with the screenplay co-written by Richard and fellow writer, Peter Souter. And all eyes will be on Simon Otto, as he makes his directorial debut.
So, what can we expect from That Christmas? According to the official premise, 'a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!' So it's not entirely devoid of Love Actually themes, you'll notice.
Among the voice actors for That Christmas include Brian Cox (who is voicing Santa), Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy.
Meanwhile, multi-award-winning musician Ed Sheeran - who was raised and lives in Suffolk too - has written and recorded a track for the film, called Under the Tree.
'I've been mates with Richard Curtis for years, and we’ve done a load of fun work for charity, and then both were heavily involved in the movie Yesterday,' Ed said. 'He came to me two years ago to play me the rough of That Christmas. It was just sketches and voices, but it blew me away. So emotional, yet so heartwarmingly funny, like all Richard Curtis movies.'
The singer - who has two daughters Lyra, four, and two-year-old Jupiter with wife Cherry Seaborn - added, 'I find it mad that there [aren't] more animated Christmas films for kids, but this is going to become a holiday staple, at least in our household.'
Meanwhile, Richard said of the collaboration, 'Ed lives in and loves Suffolk and completely understood the pitch and tone of what we were trying to do.
'We’ve been friends for many years and - especially now that he's a husband and a father - it’s really lovely to have him play such a key part in this film about love, children and family. And, of course, even if he wasn’t a friend and didn’t love Suffolk, how marvellous to have a wonderful new song by one of the greatest British songwriters ever.'
What are Richard Curtis' best rom-com films?
Richard is a triple threat, with directing, screenwriting, and executive producing all areas he has extensive experience in. It's no surprise then that he has an enviable filmography, which includes titles, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, War House, About Time and Genie. Not of course forgetting Love Actually.
Millie Payne is a News and Entertainment Writer for Grazia. She has specialised in showbiz interviews, features, articles and roundups for over three years and loves combining her love for writing, talking and all things popular culture.