Sequel to ‘Actually’ part of fundraiser

“Love Actually,” the multi-narrative boxoffice smash when it was released in 2003, has established itself in the hearts and minds of fans — and on December TV schedules.

(Caveat: The film is not loved by all.)

The much-anticipated 15-minute sequel to “Love Actually” will air tonight as part of “The Red Nose Day Special,” a celebrity fundraiser on NBC that aids children living in poverty.

The short film, written by Richard Curtis and directed by Mat hitecross, was seen first in March in Britain as part of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day. Now, American viewers will get their first look.

Long ago, Curtis said, “I was asked to write a sequel to ‘Love Actually,’ which I never wanted to do. The edit of the film was unbelievably hard, moving all those stories toward a conclusion. It was like playing 3-D chess, and I wouldn’t want to hope for lightning to strike twice.”

The idea of a customized short film for Red Nose Day cropped up after he and his partner, script editor Emma Freud, decided that it would be fun to attend a midnight screening of the original film in Manhattan, where the couple lived for a year.

He started to sketch some ideas.

Curtis spent several months working on the script before approaching the actors. All but Laura Linney, who was appearing on Broadway, were able to fit it in their schedules.

“What was so sweet was that people’s fundamental characters haven’t changed much over 15 years,” he said.

The “Love Actually” sequel received mixed reviews in Britain, but Curtis said he was glad to have done it.

Asked whether he feels tempted to do a longer “Love Actually” sequel, he said with a laugh: “No.”