Marks & Spencer launches its 2026 Christmas campaign featuring “House of Christmas” elements across Fashion, Home, Beauty and Food, with actor James Norton playing an undercover Santa. Lucy Punch appears as Mrs Claus, and the campaign debuts on M&S’s Instagram and YouTube, with the TV advert set to follow.
Across outlets, the central framing is Norton’s take on Santa, often described as younger, incognito and linked to a makeover concept. Several reports highlight a star-studded lineup and music used in the campaign, with Katherine Jenkins featuring prominently as part of the festive soundtrack or performance. Coverage also positions the launch in the wider “Christmas advert war,” contrasting M&S’s approach with that of rival department stores.
While most stories focus on the same cast, “undercover Santa” premise and the campaign’s release, outlets vary in emphasis. Some lead with production details and the multi-department scope, while others foreground the tabloid-style visual hook of a topless or bare-chested Santa. A few include more of the plot-style description and attention to specific creative elements like shaving off facial hair, changing attire, and the role of Mrs Claus in nudging Santa into action.
