High street retailer John Lewis will air its Christmas advert for 2022 today and the thought-provoking ad demonstrates the power of kindness while raising awareness for children in care.
The 90 second advert, entitled The Beginner, follows the launch of the Building Happier Futures programme from the John Lewis Partnership, which is the retailer's long-term commitment to help young people with experience of the care system in a number of ways, including to find meaningful careers.
Through a heartfelt story of one man’s determination to connect with a child, viewers will see the power that kindness can make to someone else’s life.
But what is the advert about and who stars in it? Here's everything you need to know.
What is the John Lewis Christmas advert about?
From the opening scene, which features a festive backdrop, the advert follows a middle aged man as he struggles comedically to master the skill of skateboarding.
Viewers see through his determined eyes many failed attempts and mishaps as he suffers a series of accidents.
We are then left questioning the motive behind his perseverance until the final scene, when there is a knock at the door.
Stood at the door is a social worker and Ellie, a young teenager who is waiting anxiously to enter her new Foster home with a skateboard in hand.
The significance of skateboarding to the father figure becomes clear, as we understand that he wishes to find common ground and a way to connect with the teenage girl as she is welcomed into their family home.
In relation to the Christmas advert, John Lewis' Director of Customer Claire Pointon, said: “We are fortunate to have a truly unique platform in our Christmas ad, which sparks a national conversation.
"At John Lewis we care deeply about families, and recognise that they come in many different forms. For our biggest moment of the year, we decided to focus on one kind of family that is often overlooked.
"We are also very aware that not all care experience outcomes are as positive as Ellie’s.
"The home Ellie enters is filled with kindness, and the foster father’s actions demonstrate that ultimately, it’s what you do that matters most.”
‘The Beginner’ is set to a soundtrack of All the Small Things, a cover of the Blink 182 track, performed by Mike Geier.
Who stars in the John Lewis Christmas advert?
John Paul Hurley plays the father and one of the lead actors in the new John Lewis ad.
The actor, who is from South Yorkshire, has starred in the likes of The Reckoning, The Lost King and Peaky Blinders.
In 2007, he won best actor at the European Independent Film Awards in Paris for his role in the short Laid Off, which was filmed in Glasgow.
In addition to his many appearances in popular TV dramas, he has also written comedy 'Ecclesiastical Supplies' which was staged in Glasgow in 2015.
Ellie is played by rising actor Brooke Hart who has had a number of film, commercial and theatre roles.
In 2017 she starred in the NSPCC Say Something campaign and she also played Paige in the National Theatre production of Love.
The actress attended Stagecoach, has a bursary at the Norwood school and holds qualifications from LAMDA.
'Mum', who has a small role in the advert, is played by Victoria Elliott who has starred in the likes of Emmerdale and movie Ammonite alongside Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet.
