Waitrose serves up another slice of Christmas

In 2025, Waitrose went all Richard Curtis, bringing us the feel-good Christmas campaign we didn't know we needed. 

Featuring Joe Wilkinson as Phil [a returning character from 2024's Sweet Suspicion] and Keira Knightley as, well, Keira Knightley, The Perfect Gift was a sweet romance about a mismatched couple which was roundly believed to have 'won Christmas'. So, it's no surprise that Phil and Keira are back this year for the feel-good Christmas sequel we didn't know we needed.

The Perfect Gift 2, created by Wonderhood Studios and once again directed by BAFTA-award winning director Molly Manners through Biscuit Filmworks, opens on a wedding, with Knightley as the blushing bride. But, instead of Phil being the dashing groom, we're introduced to Alex Hassell's Hugo Bunty-Griffin, a much less lovable character than Wilkinson's affable Phil, who's about to tie the knot with our heroine. Cue an even more dishevelled and despondent Phil, a plan that involves a beef wellington, and a race to get to the church on time. 

Featuring a snow-dusted stately home, sweeping tracking shots and an original score recorded by the world renowned Prague Philharmonic Orchestra the cinematic story is hugely ambitious while keeping the focus firmly on Waitrose's food and the emotions that surround it. The six-minute film is officially the longest ad ever created by a UK supermarket, but the main hero film [above] is the star of the show, it's also surrounded by a fleet of brilliant extras, including a series of social films which will be released in the coming weeks, and which give Wilkinson, Knightley and Hassell even more comedic moments to get their teeth into. 

“It’s been an absolute joy to extend the Waitrose cinematic universe and wholeheartedly embrace the Rom and the Com this year," said Manners. "I love this team and this cast and am so excited to see the curveball of Alex Hassell as Phil’s love rival unleashed.”

“It’s been wonderful to return to our festive romcom this year.," added Jack Croft and Stacey Bird, Executive Creative Directors at Wonderhood Studios. "We always felt that Keira and Phil’s love story had more to give, and we hope the love, time and craft we’ve poured into this sequel has made it every bit as entertaining as the first film, if not more. And that’s really what this campaign is all about: giving audiences more. More story, more surprises, more laughs, more stunts, more extra content and, thankfully, more pastry.”

"Upon receiving approval on our original composition with Harry Lightfoot, within 24 hours we organised an orchestral record with The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra," commented Tristan Baker, Founder and EP at music composition studio Holy Wax. "Following on from the Friday sign-off, I flew out and oversaw the recording of the 30-piece orchestra at Smecky Music Studio in Prague, a studio who has hosted and recorded for the likes of David Lynch, Adele and Alexandre Desplat."