James Norton plays Santa as you’ve never seen him before in Marks & Spencer’s brand new Christmas advert.
On Friday morning, the retailer unveiled its festive ad campaign, featuring the House Of The Dragon actor as an undercover Father Christmas.
In the ad, Santa – after a bit of encouragement from Mrs Claus, played by Amandaland’s Lucy Punch – decides he wants to experience the festive season the same way most of us get to, with the couple undergoing a dramatic makeover – including shaving off his signature bead and swapping the signature red suit for something a little more contemporary.
Meanwhile, the whole thing is accompanied by the operatic tones of Katherine Jenkins, putting her own seasonal twist on the pop classic Heaven Is A Place On Earth.
James enthused: “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. I loved that this story takes such an iconic character and lets us see him differently.”
He added of the advert: “It’s warm, funny and full of Christmas spirit, and I’m very happy to have been briefly trusted with the red suit.”
Lucy also 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. She gives him the nudge so he can get out there incognito and experience the magic of Christmas for himself.
“There’s something very sweet and fun about their dynamic, and something quite lovely about the idea behind it: this idea that the magic you’re looking for is actually happening all around you.”
An M&S press release for the ad reads: “[Santa’s] Christmas adventure takes him through the moments that make the season special: getting dressed up, gathering around a table of brilliant food, choosing gifts people will genuinely love and transforming the home for Christmas.
“Along the way, Santa discovers that Christmas magic doesn’t just come from the North Pole. It’s created in homes across the country, around tables, under trees and in the moments shared with the people we love. And he’s not the only one helping to make it happen.
“From food and fashion to beauty, gifting and home, M&S is there for every festive moment. That’s why M&S is The Home Of Christmas.”
James’ appearance in the new M&S Christmas ad rounds off another exciting year for the British actor, who made his debut as Ormund Hightower in House Of The Dragon, guest hosted Saturday Night Live UK and played a key role in the coming-of-age comedy Sunny Dancer.
Meanwhile, Lucy will next be seen in action as her iconic comedy character in the 2026 Amandaland Christmas special.
