The M&S Christmas advert features award-winning actor James Norton as an undercover Santa who discovers the "real magic" of the festive season. The film, which launched on Friday morning, also stars Amandaland's Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus and includes a special appearance and exclusive soundtrack by Katherine Jenkins.
Santa Goes Incognito
In the advert, Santa swaps his red suit for a Christmas jumper and shaves off his beard after encouragement from Mrs Claus. He leaves the North Pole to experience Christmas from a different perspective without being recognised.
His journey takes him through the moments that make the season special: getting dressed up, gathering around a table of food, choosing gifts people will genuinely love and transforming the home for Christmas. Along the way, he discovers that Christmas magic is created in homes across the country, around tables, under trees and in moments shared with loved ones.
Stars on the Campaign
James said: "It's not every day you get asked to play Santa, let alone a Santa who immediately shaves off his beard! M&S has been such a familiar part of Christmas for as long as I can remember, so getting to be part of its Christmas campaign feels really special."
He added: "I loved that this story takes such an iconic character and lets us see him differently. He gets to experience Christmas like the rest of us, discovering that the real magic is in the food, traditions and moments we share with the people we love. It's warm, funny and full of Christmas spirit, and I'm very happy to have been briefly trusted with the red suit."
Lucy said: "M&S and Christmas just go hand in hand, so it was an absolute joy to become part of that tradition this year. I loved that Mrs Claus is the one who gets this story moving."
Soundtrack by Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins brings the retailer's Home of Christmas campaign to life through music, reimagining the iconic Heaven Is a Place on Earth as the soundtrack. She said: "For me, Christmas has always been about coming home."
She added: "It's about family, traditions and creating memories with the people you love most, and music is such a big part of that. Certain songs instantly become part of the soundtrack to our celebrations, so I was thrilled to record a new version of Heaven Is a Place on Earth for this campaign. I love how beautifully it complements the story, reminding us that the real magic of Christmas isn't found in grand gestures, but in the moments we share together at home."
