Kristin Scott Thomas stars in John Lewis 2026 Christmas advert

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 06:50 · Archive

John Lewis has released its 2026 Christmas advert starring Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother trying to connect with her grandchildren.

John Lewis has released its 2026 Christmas advert, the retailer's 20th festive campaign, starring Kristin Scott Thomas as Gloria, a grandmother hosting her family on Christmas Eve. Scott Thomas, 66, welcomes her daughter, son-in-law and two young grandchildren into her London home, but the children race past her to cause mischief, jumping on the sofa and making clear they need stimulation and entertainment.

Gloria becomes disheartened as the children mess up her immaculate study, and the advert follows her quest to find the perfect gift to engage them. Paul Whitehouse, 68, provides the voice for Pickles, a vintage Little Snoopy Pull-Along Toy that has been around for 60 years. The film is set to Sam Fender's cover of the Rolling Stones song 'You Can't Always Get What You Want', with the tagline 'Don't give up on giving'. Scott Thomas said that Gloria's story 'captured her heart straight away'.

How it is being reported

• John Lewis Pulls Out The Big Guns For Its 20th Annual Christmas AdvertOver the last two decades, John Lewis ’ annual Christmas ad has become as big a part of the festive experience as turkey dinners, charades or fighting over the last chocolate in the Celebrations tub. This year, the retailer is celebrating its 20th festive campaign, and to mark the occasion, it’s going big with its new advert. Not only does the ad itself feature an award-winning national treasure, with Kristin Scott Thomas taking the lead, it’s also recruited one of the biggest stars in British music to provide the soundtrack. Kristin Scott Thomas as Gloria in John Lewis' new Christmas advert…HuffPost UK · 3 Nov, 07:17
• John Lewis Christmas advert 2026: Kristin Scott Thomas steals the show with surprise cameoThe actress plays a grandmother hosting her family at her London home on Christmas EveEvening Standard · 3 Nov, 06:19
• John Lewis 2026 Christmas advert: Kristin Scott Thomas spreads magic with British TV legendThe retailer's latest festive ad is here!Metro · 3 Nov, 00:01

In this story: Kristin Scott Thomas · Paul Whitehouse · Sam Fender · John Lewis · Rolling Stones · London

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log