John Lewis unveils 2026 Christmas advert with Kristin Scott Thomas and toy dog Pickles

Storyline of the 2026 advert

John Lewis released its 2026 Christmas advert on 3 November, and the film follows Gloria, a grandmother played by Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, who welcomes her family to her London home on Christmas Eve. Her grandchildren, Freddie and Maggie, scramble her immaculate study while looking for something to do, so she digs out an old toy dog called Pickles, a vintage pull-along Snoopy from the attic. Paul Whitehouse voices the dog, which comes to life when Gloria starts slipping cash into the Christmas cards and tells her she can do better. Pickles then takes her on a last-minute gift trip through London by tuk-tuk, ending at John Lewis. On Christmas morning the children expect money and find a key instead, which unlocks a study converted into a "Gran Cave" with sparkling lights, disco balls, ribbons and a turntable for music and dancing.

Sam Fender's cover and the charities

The film is set to Sam Fender's cover of The Rolling Stones' You Can't Always Get What You Want, and the single is backed with his 2020 cover of Winter Song. Fender recorded the vocals with a children's choir drawn from his former school, John Spence Community High School, and used the Easington Colliery Band for brass. Fender described the project in his own words, and the band's frontman was also involved in the reaction to it.

“It was a privilege to rework such an iconic song by such a legendary band.”

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger was pleased when he heard Fender was covering one of the band's songs, and he said so publicly.

“I'm a fan of Sam's work, so I was pleased to hear he was covering one of my songs.”

Proceeds from the single go to the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity Fender selected himself, and to Action for Children, the partner of John Lewis for its Building Happier Futures programme.

Kristin Scott Thomas and the ad's history

Scott Thomas, 66, said the chance to star in the advert was one she could not turn down.

“I simply couldn't resist the opportunity to lead a John Lewis Christmas advert - it's such a cherished part of the festive season.”

She most recently appeared in series six of Slow Horses and is currently performing with Stephen Mangan, 58, in Ian Rickson's London production of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard at the Harold Pinter Theatre. The John Lewis campaign has used emotional cover songs in many of its ads since the Christmas films launched in 2007, including Ellie Goulding in 2010, Lily Allen in 2013, Tom Odell in 2014, Aurora in 2015 and Lola Young in 2021.

In 2018 Sir Elton John starred in a three-minute film called The Boy and the Piano, which showed a four-year-old unwrapping his first piano from his grandmother at Christmas. Scott Thomas follows him as the brand's next high-profile star.

Reaction and retail

Rosie Hanley, John Lewis's marketing and loyalty director, framed the advert as part of a beloved tradition. The toy dog is listed on Johnlewis.com as a Fisher-Price Snoopy pull-along at £12.99. The outfits Scott Thomas wears in the film, from gold foil Ralph Lauren trousers to a navy wrap coat, are also listed for shoppers.