Tim McInnerny Opens Up About Julia Roberts' Sweet Gesture at 'Notting Hill' Premiere That Left His Mum Speechless

The Premiere Moment That Became Family Lore

It’s the kind of Hollywood story that sounds too good to be true—but for Tim McInnerny, it’s a cherished memory he’s still trying to decode. The veteran British actor, best known for his scene-stealing turns in Blackadder and Gladiator II, recently revealed a touching—and utterly mysterious—exchange between Julia Roberts and his mother at the London premiere of Notting Hill back in 1999.

“At the afterparty, Julia said, ‘Have you got anybody with you this evening?’ I said, ‘Yes—my sister, my brother-in-law, a couple of friends and my mum.’ She said, ‘Your mum? I want to meet her.’ I took her over, and Julia said, ‘Okay, you can go now.’ She spoke to her for 25 minutes.”

Twenty-six years later, McInnerny still doesn’t know what they discussed. “My mum refused to talk about it,” he laughs. The exchange has become a piece of family mythology—one that he’s tried to pry open with zero success. “All I know is that Julia was absolutely charming and my mother came away glowing. What they said remains a secret.”

A Career Built on Character

The moment is just one of many highlights in a career that spans decades, genres, and continents. McInnerny, 68, has quietly become one of Britain’s most dependable character actors, shifting effortlessly from comedy to drama to blockbuster spectacle.

From Lord Percy to Roman Corruption

For a generation, he is Lord Percy Percy in Blackadder—the dim-witted, lovable sidekick to Rowan Atkinson’s Edmund. The role made him a household name in the UK and established his talent for playing haughty yet endearing fools. “Percy was an idiot, but he had heart,” McInnerny once said. “People still stop me in the street to ask about the turnip.”

But he’s far from a one-note performer. In Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, McInnerny played a corrupt Roman senator opposite Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, holding his own in the arena of Oscar-caliber talent. “Working with Ridley is like being in a masterclass every day. He doesn’t waste a single frame,” McInnerny told us.

One Day, Music Videos, and More

More recently, he portrayed the on-screen father of Leo Woodall in Netflix’s hit series One Day, bringing a quiet gravitas to the romantic drama. But his resume also includes two truly surreal entries: appearing in music videos for Kate Bush’s This Woman’s Work and Westlife’s Uptown Girl alongside Claudia Schiffer.

“Uptown Girl was extraordinary. I don’t remember a great deal, apart from spending the day sitting next to Claudia Schiffer, which wasn’t the end of the world,” he jokes. But the Kate Bush experience left a deeper mark. “My agent rang, saying, ‘Kate Bush wants you in her pop video, but the money’s not very good.’ I said, ‘I’ll pay her whatever she wants.’ She directed it herself and drew the storyboards, which she signed and gave to me. They’re still on my wall.”

Using Art for Good

Outside of acting, McInnerny is a passionate supporter of Talitha Arts, a charity that provides creative workshops for survivors of trauma, abuse, and homelessness. He’s backing the Big Give’s Arts for Impact campaign, which aims to raise £2.5 million for 285 arts charities.

“Rather than just giving people money, it gives a means to being creative and artistic,” he explains. “It improves people’s mental outlook immeasurably—from dementia patients to domestic violence survivors.” The campaign runs until March 25, with all donations doubled.

What’s Next: Spiders and Secrets

McInnerny shows no signs of slowing down. He’s about to begin filming a horror movie titled Spider Island. “That gives a clue,” he teases, declining to reveal further plot details.

• Key upcoming projects: Spider Island (horror film, 2025)
• Recent highlights: Gladiator II, One Day
• Charity focus: Talitha Arts & Big Give’s Arts for Impact

Whether he’s sharing the screen with Denzel Washington or keeping secrets with Julia Roberts, Tim McInnerny remains one of the most quietly fascinating figures in show business. And somewhere, his mother still holds the key to a 25-minute conversation that the rest of us can only dream of overhearing.

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