Waitrose’s 2026 Christmas advert, The Perfect Gift 2, stars Keira Knightley, Joe Wilkinson and Alex Hassell. The full film is available through Waitrose’s campaign page and its verified Waitrose & Partners YouTube channel, where the player displays 5 minutes 50 seconds. The supermarket launched the sequel on November 10, 2026.

The British retailer returns to the romantic-comedy story it introduced in its 2025 Christmas campaign. This year’s wedding plot gives the returning pair a new rival and a deadline, with festive food driving the action. Knightley appears as a fictional version of herself: the wedding belongs to an advertising story, rather than a report about her private life.

Three lead actors and roles in The Perfect Gift2, followed by the official2026 full film running time of5:50, separate30/60second trailers and2025 predecessor at3:58.
The cast and the versions to distinguish when choosing a film. Original editorial graphic based on the official release and Waitrose’s verified YouTube player, checked November 10, 2026. View full-size graphic ↗

The returning cast and new romantic rival

Knightley returns alongside Wilkinson as Phil, styled “Phil Phil” in the brand’s release. Hassell plays Hugo Bunty-Griffin, the groom-to-be and Phil’s romantic rival. These are the three principal performers identified in the official announcement; they explain the central love triangle without treating an unverified cast list from another year as this film’s credits.

Waitrose chief customer officer Nathan Ansell attributes the sequel to customers wanting to know what happened after the first film. That is the brand’s explanation for continuing the characters. It does not independently establish how audiences rate the new advert, and the launch announcement should be read as the company’s account of its campaign.

The story, director and closing song

In the official synopsis, Phil tries to reach Knightley’s wedding with a homemade beef Wellington. The food becomes his way of making a romantic appeal as he races the clock and faces setbacks. This continues the earlier film’s connection between food and courtship, while giving viewers a new story to follow rather than simply repeating the original meeting.

Molly Manners directs again. The release credits a score recorded by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and identifies Jennifer Rush’s The Power of Love as the closing song. Those production details help answer the music and director questions raised by the film; the synopsis and credits here come from the official release, rather than a critical review of the complete film.

Open the full 2026 film

To open the full version, use the official YouTube link below and check for The Perfect Gift 2, the 2026 Christmas advert title and the Waitrose & Partners channel. The checked player runs 5:50; the launch release rounds the film to six minutes. The campaign also has separate 30- and 60-second promotional trailers. Search results additionally include a short teaser, so a preview’s duration should not be taken as the full film’s running time.

The 2025 predecessor is titled The Perfect Gift and appears on the same channel with a running time of 3:58. Checking the year, the “2” and the official channel is therefore a useful way to choose the intended film. The campaign page and direct full-film link provide the starting points for viewing; neither the shorter trailers nor the earlier film substitutes for the new sequel.

Sources & context

Original sources checked on November 10, 2026. Dated announcements, applicable conditions and unverified details are distinguished.

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