The Queen's Gambit has proved to be a huge hit with both fans and critics alike ever since it landed on Netflix last month. Along with its gripping plot and a stellar performance from Anya Taylor-Joy, viewers of the drama series have also been sufficiently blown away after they spotted a former child star from the hit film Love Actually.
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Taking to Instagram, many expressed their disbelief after they realised Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who played Sam, the cute son of Liam Neeson in the beloved rom-com, had a starring role in the Netflix original series.
WATCH: Gripping trailer for Netflix's The Queen's Gambit
One person tweeted: "Is that the kid from Love Actually!??? #QueensGambit," while a second quipped: "I'm watching The Queen's Gambit AND THIS IS THE SAME ACTOR WHO PLAYED THE LITTLE BOY IN LOVE ACTUALLY. MY BRAIN IS BROKEN #QueensGambit."
Plenty of other viewers were equally surprised to see a more grown-up Thomas, who plays Benny Watts. A third fan commented: "Just realized one of the hot guy chess players in #QueensGambit is the little boy from Love Actually and now I need a shower."
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© Photo: NetflixThomas Brodie-Sangster in The Queen's Gambit
Another joked: "Thomas Brodie-Sangster 17 years after playing Sam in Love Actually, is still Sam in Love Actually but with facial hair and a weirdly deep voice. #QueensGambit."
The drama, starring Emma actress Anya Taylor-Joy as the lead, follows an orphaned chess prodigy, Beth Harmon, who becomes determined to be the best in the world, despite her increasing dependence on tranquillisers.
© Photo: NetflixMany couldn't believe it was the Love Actually star
Chatting about the role to Town and Country magazine, Anya said: "I was electrified by this character, and I understood her immediately. I feel very lucky that it feels like sometimes a lightning bolt takes hold of me.
"In the case of Beth, I read the book [Walter Tevis's 1983 novel The Queen's Gambit] first; I hadn't actually seen any of the scripts. I read the book in about an hour and then I ran, like physically ran, to meet [show runner] Scott Frank for dinner. We were instantly in the same place."
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