Waitrose Christmas advert 2026: Keira Knightley brings touch of Hollywood to screens in romcom sequel

Waitrose has raised the stakes in the annual battle for festive supremacy, unveiling an ambitious six-minute cinematic romcom sequel starring Hollywood star Keira Knightley and comedian Joe Wilkinson.

Titled The Perfect Gift 2, the mini-movie follows last year’s 2025 festive launch and marks the longest commercial ever released by a British supermarket.

Directed by Molly Manners (One Day), it features sweeping crane shots, snowy country house sets, and a soaring score recorded by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Perfect Gift 2 is a “mini-movie” which follows last year’s 2025 festive launch

Waitrose

The storyline sees Knightley caught in an extravagant love triangle between her lovelorn former flame Phil (Wilkinson) and a dashing, self-absorbed rival, Hugo Bunty-Griffin (Alex Hassell).

In classic Richard Curtis-style high farce, Phil mounts a desperate race against time to halt Keira’s wedding to Hugo, armed not with a ring, but with a homemade beef Wellington.

The big-budget release lands at a delicate moment in the annual advertising blitz, as British retailers navigate tight household budgets and sharply contrasting creative gambles.

Department store giant John Lewis, the traditional bellwether of the festive ad season, has faced fierce criticism this past week over its 2026 offering.

This Morning presenters Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond make an appearance in the trailer

Waitrose

Rival Lidl has taken the opposite extreme, bypassing cinematic tear-jerkers entirely in favour of populist camp.

Its 2026 push features EastEnders veteran Shaun Williamson (Barry Evans) belting out a Slade parody, “Lidl Christmas Everybody,” while delivering budget-friendly festive staples to neighbours in a branded knit.

Waitrose, by contrast, is attempting to bridge glossy cinematic escapism with self-deprecating British humor - keeping its premium food credentials firmly at the center of the gag.

Speaking about the campaign, Knightley said: “I always felt last year’s love story deserved another chapter, and what a sequel this has been.

Waitrose has confirmed that the mini-film is the longest commercial ever released by a British supermarket

Waitrose

“I absolutely loved the chance to revisit our relationship this Christmas, although I wasn’t expecting to find myself caught between two men and a beef Wellington!

“Making this short film has been so much fun. I hope it brings a little festive magic to everyone who watches it.”

Joe Wilkinson adds: “Chuffed to be back for the sequel. If a beef Wellington doesn’t win back the heart of a Hollywood A-lister, nowt will. Although there is the thorny issue of Keira Knightley’s new beau, the dashing Alex Hassell. How will she choose between us?”

Co-star Wilkinson quipped: “Chuffed to be back for the sequel. If a beef Wellington doesn’t win back the heart of a Hollywood A-lister, nowt will.

“Although there is the thorny issue of Keira Knightley’s new beau, the dashing Alex Hassell. How will she choose between us?”

Hassell described his character Hugo as “a man in love… but really only with himself and the idea of being part of a celebrity power couple,” adding: “Hugo thinks he’s the cat’s meow, but Phil has something he doesn’t: a beef Wellington and an adorable heart.”

Nathan Ansell, Waitrose Chief Customer Officer, said customer demand drove the decision to turn last year’s ad into a recurring franchise: “Last year’s The Perfect Gift sparked a huge reaction, and our customers were clear: they wanted to know what happened next. Every great romcom needs a moment where all seems lost, and ours just happens to be wrapped in pastry.”