Here's Where You've Seen (or Heard) the Stars of the John Lewis Christmas Advert before....
Kristin Scott Thomas stars as Gloria, whose search for the perfect gift leads to a voice-acted toy dog and Sam Fender’s Rolling Stones cover.
- On Tuesday, John Lewis released its 2026 Christmas advert, starring actress Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother named Gloria searching for the perfect gift for her grandchildren alongside her vintage toy dog, Pickles.
- Marketing director Rosie Hanley told The Guardian the retailer wanted to "push the boat out" for its 20th advert, with the campaign promoting "don't give up on giving" to encourage thoughtful gifts over cash.
- Sam Fender's cover of The Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" soundtracks the film, while Paul Whitehouse voices Pickles. The campaign aims to raise £4 million for charities FareShare and Home-Start.
- Amid financial pressures on households, Hanley noted the team designed the advert "to be more joyful" this year. The retailer expects "a really strong return on our investment" ahead of Black Friday.
- While John Lewis has built a reputation for cinematic festive ads, reception to this year's offering has been mixed. Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr noted the story, though not a classic tearjerker, remains relatable for many families.
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Phys.orgThe John Lewis Christmas ad captures the deep need for grandmothers
Like many of us, I always enjoy the John Lewis Christmas advert and 2026 is no different. This year, I love the fact that the star of the show is a grandmother. Feeling disconnected from her visiting grandchildren and ready to resort to cash in envelopes for Christmas, Gloria (Kristin Scott Thomas) is scolded by her childhood toy dog Pickles, who comes to life and whisks her on a whirlwind London TukTuk ride. Inspired, Gloria transforms her home…
Here's where you've seen (or heard) the stars of the John Lewis Christmas advert before....
We finally have full permission to get into the festive cheer as John Lewis have released their Christmas advert. Giving us all some much-needed pep, the new ad is a heartwarming story about a grandmother’s quest to find a gift for her grandchildren that they’ll genuinely love. Tempted to resort to dishing out cash, our grandma is encouraged by her own childhood companion – Pickles, a talking wooden toy dog – to think more creatively. Cue the pa…
The Independent
The Independent (US)John Lewis Christmas adverts ranked from worst to best
This year's plush ad sees Kristin Scott Thomas take a tuk-tuk to the department store
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
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