Waitrose has unveiled its highly anticipated Christmas advert for 2025, and it features a dream team of British talent. The supermarket has released a heartwarming four-minute mini-romcom starring Academy Award-nominated actress Keira Knightley and comedian Joe Wilkinson.
Released on 12 November 2025, the advert, titled 'The Perfect Gift', draws direct inspiration from the classic festive film Love Actually, in which Knightley famously appeared. This new short film offers a delightful and festive narrative that has quickly captured the public's imagination.
A Cheesy Meet-Cute and a Budding Romance
The charming story begins in a Waitrose cheese aisle, where a chance encounter over a shared love for Sussex Charmer cheddar brings the two stars together. Wilkinson plays a character named Phil, who musters the courage to ask Knightley, who appears as herself, out on a date. To his delight, she accepts.
The film then follows the couple's blossoming relationship through a series of idyllic, festive scenes. Viewers see them enjoying mulled wine, taking romantic walks in the snow, baking together, and crafting Christmas decorations, all set to the soundtrack of James' song 'She's A Star'.
A Misunderstanding and a Grand Gesture
The romance hits an unexpected hurdle when Phil spots a mystery gift from a man named Mark left in Keira's hallway. Assuming the worst, he becomes heartbroken. His mother, offering advice over FaceTime, encourages him not to give up, telling him that 'Cooking for someone is love, darling.'
Taking her advice to heart, Phil decides to cook Keira her nan's famous turkey pie. In a grand romantic gesture, he painstakingly crafts the words 'I love you' out of pastry letters on the pie's lid. However, his confidence shatters when he delivers the pie and sees the mysterious Mark by her side.
A Happy Ending with a Festive Kiss
As a dejected Phil walks away, Keira chases after him to clear up the misunderstanding, revealing that Mark is her brother. Overcome with relief and joy, the moment is sealed when Keira surprises Phil with a kiss and confesses, 'I love you too.' The advert concludes with the couple sharing another kiss in the snow and the end credit: 'and they ate happily ever after.'
Stars and Fans React to the Festive Film
Keira Knightley explained her decision to take part, stating, 'I love food, and so when I received this script where I get to fall head over heels in love over a shared love of cheese, I couldn't turn it down.' She also praised her co-star, calling the experience 'silly, fun and delicious.'
Joe Wilkinson jokingly commented on the challenges of filming, saying, 'It was tough having to eat the delicious Waitrose food and falling in love with Keira, but I just got on with it, like the trooper I am.'
The public response has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans on YouTube have flooded the comments with praise, calling the advert 'a cracking Christmas advert', 'cinematic, funny, emotional, and genuinely joyful', and 'quite simply the best Xmas advert for years.' Many have even dubbed it the unofficial 'Love Actually 2' they never knew they needed, cementing its status as a standout festive campaign for 2025.
