Waitrose has launched the longest advert produced by a UK supermarket for Christmas 2026.
The retailer’s six-minute festive campaign, The Perfect Gift 2, is a sequel to last year’s romantic comedy-style advert.
Keira Knightley returns as herself, alongside Joe Wilkinson as Phil, the everyman who won her heart last Christmas.
Keira Knightley returns for Waitrose's Christmas advert
Knightley said: "I always felt last year’s love story deserved another chapter, and what a sequel this has been.
"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."
This year’s story sees Knightley preparing to marry the wrong man, Hugo Bunty-Griffin, played by Alex Hassell.
Phil, meanwhile, is heartbroken and hiding away in his dressing gown until his friends arrive with a plan—and bags of Waitrose shopping.
Central to their scheme is a homemade beef Wellington, which Phil believes could win back Keira’s heart.
After a chaotic dash to the wedding venue, Phil arrives just in time to send the Wellington sliding down the aisle, accompanied by a jar of sauce labelled "Marry Me Instead?".
Knightley ultimately chooses Phil and proposes with a cheeseboard ring, bringing the story full circle from where their romance first began—at the Waitrose cheese counter.
Wilkinson said: "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’s character, Hugo, is described as a man who loves himself more than anyone else.
Hassell said: "I play Hugo, a man in love... but really only with himself.
"And the idea of being a part of a celebrity power couple.
"I loved The Perfect Gift last year, so it was an honour to join the cast for another episode in the story, and all the gorgeous, silliness that went with it.
"Hugo thinks he’s the cat’s meow but Phil has something he doesn’t: a beef Wellington and an adorable heart... may the best man win."
Directed by Molly Manners, the advert features snow-dusted country houses, sweeping camera shots, and an original score performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Manners said: "We had a world-class orchestra, beautiful locations, snow and crane shots—all the ingredients for an epic love story.
"Then we put Joe Wilkinson at the centre of it, racing against the clock with a beef Wellington.
"That contrast is what makes it so much fun.
"We played every moment completely straight, giving Phil’s increasingly desperate mission the full cinematic treatment.
"And beneath all the chaos, there’s a genuine story about how food can say what words sometimes can't."
Nathan Ansell, chief customer officer at Waitrose, said the campaign was in response to requests from viewers.
Mr Ansell said: "Last year’s The Perfect Gift sparked a huge reaction, and our customers were clear: they wanted to know what happened next.
"So this Christmas we’ve given them a bigger, bolder sequel, with a love rival, a race against the clock and a beef Wellington as an unlikely hero.
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"Every great romcom needs a moment where all seems lost, and ours just happens to be wrapped in pastry.
"This is our way of giving audiences the happy ending they’ve been waiting for, and we hope it brings a smile, and a little inspiration, to homes across the country this Christmas."
The full advert is available to watch online on Waitrose YouTube channel.
What did you think of the Waitrose Christmas advert? Let us know in the comments.
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