Traitors favourite & Keira Knightley star in hilarious Waitrose Xmas ad…and it mocks THAT Love Actually scene
KEIRA Knightley and Traitors star Joe Wilkinson star in Waitrose’s Christmas advert, and it pokes fun at a famous Love Actually scene.
The posh supermarket’s two-part campaign follows the unlikely love story between the pair, and it even got the seal of approval from director Richard Curtis.
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Keira Knightley recreates the iconic scene in Love Actually as part of this year’s Waitrose Christmas advertCredit: YouTube
After meeting at the cheese counter in the luxury store, the couple fall madly in loveCredit: YouTube
Joe Wilkinson’s character Phil, who starred in 2024’s Waitrose festive offering makes a come backCredit: YouTube
Whilst Keira plays herself as the lead, Joe reprises his role as Phil, from Waitrose’s 2024 festive ‘Sweet Supicion’ ad.
The movie trailer spoof captures the moment the actress and comedian first lock eyes from across a Waitrose cheese counter.
After discovering they share the same love of food, their romance blossoms – although when an unexpected curveball is thrown between them, Wilkinson’s character calls upon his mum for advice.
“I can’t just cook for someone I love, mum,” he says over a video call.
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“Cooking for someone is love, darling,” she says, beaming back at him.
This sparks a classic romcom montage, which sees Phil whip up Knightley’s nan’s turkey pie for his foodie girlfriend.
In the ultimate Love Actually reference, Knightley opens the door to reveal Phil standing on the step with his homemade pie tucked under a tea towel.
“Please say you don’t have cue cards,” she said, her eyes filled with terror.
Of course, she is referring to one of the most iconic scenes from the hit 2003 Christmas film, where Andrew Lincoln’s character stood at the doorstep and confessed his love with giant cue cards.
It went down well with Love Actually director Richard Curtis, who called it: “sweet as pie”.
The advert features Waitrose’s festive range including its No.1 Golden Mince Pies with Limoncello, Hickory Smoked Salmon, No.1 Free Range Turkey Bauble and a selection of No.1 party food.
Whilst the Christmas advert pokes fun at romantic comedy trailers, complete with uplifting music and a dramatic narrator, Waitrose has made a 4-minute ‘mini film’ titled The Perfect Gift.
The film was created by BAFTA-award-winning director Molly Manners transformed David Nicholls’ One Day into a Netflix series.
The festive ad is set to the soundtrack of She’s A Star by British band James.
Knightley, whose career skyrocketed after her role as Juliet in Love Actually, said: “I love food, and so when I received this script where I get to fall head over heels in love over a shared love of cheese, I couldn’t turn it down.
“I adored working on this silly, fun and delicious film with Joe, and I hope those watching it fall in love too.”
Wilkinson, who was a fan favourite on this year’s Celebrity Traitors, said: “It was great to be back with Waitrose for their 2025 Christmas campaign.
“This year, Phil got to enjoy both the love and the food he truly deserved.
“As you can imagine, it was tough having to eat the delicious Waitrose food and falling in love with Keira, but I just got on with it, like the trooper I am.”
Waitrose chief customer officer Nathan Ansell said: “Our four-minute Christmas film – an industry first – pays homage to the seasonal romantic comedy tradition, celebrates the exciting and elevated Waitrose festive food offering, and adds a little more of that warm, fuzzy feeling to the holiday season.”
Molly said: “We had such a great time making the perfect miniature romcom with food as a love language deep at its heart.
“The combination of Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson is magical in such an unexpected way. I hope they knock your socks clean off, as they did mine.”
To watch the full movie online, visit the Waitrose website.
Last year, Waitrose also bagged a star-studded cast for its Christmas advert.
Joe starred alongside Matthew Macfadyen of “Succession“ and Rakhee Thakrar of “Sex Education“.
Sian Clifford from “Fleabag“, Dustin Demri-Burns of “Slow Horses” and Eryl Maynard of “Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple” also make an appearance.
The cast was left stunned 15 seconds into the 90-second ad after finding out a Waitrose dessert has gone missing.
Self-appointed detective of the crime scene Macfadyen then went about trying to solve the mystery by grilling each member of the party.
What are other supermarkets doing?
John Lewis’ highly-antcipated promo launched last week which sees a teenager giving his dad a vinyl of 1990s hit Where Love Lives.
The record sparks memories of his raving days in a club decades ago and created a beautiful moment between the father and son.
Aldi has also recreated the exact same Love Actually scene in their Christmas advert where Kevin the Carrot shows up at Katie’s door with cue cards.
The final one asks: “Marry Christmas?”
The ten-second teaser we’ve seen suggests viewers will be on tenterhooks awaiting Katie’s answer.
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Lidl’s installment stars a little girl who realises the real joy of Christmas is in giving to others and spending time with loved ones.
She helps ith the festive supermarket shop and plays with relatives on Christmas day – creating a nostaligic and heartwarming watch.
The four-minute film is an industry firstCredit: YouTube
Waitrose’s advert gives a nod to the moment Andrew Lincoln’s character turns up at the doorstep with cue cardsCredit: Alamy
In the advert, Wilkinson’s character goes above and beyond to win Knightley’s heartCredit: YouTube
Love Actually director Richard Curtis is a fan of the heartwarming advertCredit: YouTube
Knightley as Juliet in Love Actually in 2003 when she opens the door to Andrew Lincoln’s characterCredit: Alamy
The full 4-minute mini film is available on Waitrose’s websiteCredit: YouTube
