Entertainment · Celebrity · 13 hrs ago
James Norton plays a clean-shaven, athletic Santa in M&S Christmas ad
M&S has released its 2026 Christmas advert, starring James Norton as a clean-shaven, athletic Santa Claus.
In the three-minute film, Santa goes undercover to experience Christmas after his wife encourages him to shave off his beard.
Lucy Punch plays Mrs Claus, and the advert also features singer Katherine Jenkins at a children’s carol service.
The story centres on shared festive moments, including parties, food, presents and decorating, rather than only on gifts.
Norton’s Santa has a notably different look, shaped in part by the actor’s fitness routine, which includes running, strength training and Pilates.
M&S is competing for attention with John Lewis during the busy Christmas advertising season, when both retailers are trying to draw shoppers in a tough consumer market.
M&S has brought its fashion, food, beauty and homeware products together in one campaign, with many items shown in the advert available to buy.
Marks & Spencer’s 2026 Christmas advert stars James Norton as a clean-shaven, fitness-focused Santa.
Lucy Punch plays Mrs Claus in the campaign, which follows Santa as he goes undercover to experience Christmas.
The three-minute advert features festive gatherings, a children’s carol concert and a performance by Katherine Jenkins.
Norton said his fitness routine includes running, strength training and reformer Pilates.
The campaign has drawn comparisons with John Lewis’s Christmas advert.
- Who
- James Norton stars as Santa, with Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus.
- What
- Marks & Spencer released its 2026 Christmas advert, featuring an unconventional, clean-shaven Santa.
- When
- The advert was released on 6 November 2026.
- Where
- The story follows Santa from the North Pole to London.
- Why
- Santa goes undercover to experience Christmas as other people do and discover its shared moments.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Norton completed the London Marathon in 4 hours and 29 minutes.
M&S released its Christmas advert starring Norton and Punch.
- Advert length
- Three minutes
- Santa
- James Norton
- Mrs Claus
- Lucy Punch
- Santa’s London Marathon time
- 4 hours 29 minutes
- Norton’s reported fitness routine
- Strength training and cardio four times a week
4 sources
James Norton, 41, plays an athletic Santa in M&S Christmas ad – how running and pilates shaped his body
"It's perfect": James Norton steals the show as a topless Santa in the M&S Christmas advert
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What people are saying
It's not every day you get asked to play Santa, let alone a Santa who immediately shaves off his beard!
I don’t want any more Christmas tearjerkers.
playful and tongue in cheek without being silly