The young actor who tugs at the nation's heartstrings in this year's John Lewis Christmas advert is simultaneously winning acclaim in a hit Netflix period drama that has stormed into the UK's top 10.
From Advert Emotion to Presidential Drama
Jack Alldridge, who plays the thoughtful son in the emotionally charged John Lewis ad, has found himself in the spotlight. The advert, which has divided viewers, features his character giving his father a vinyl record, triggering a nostalgic journey back to the father's party days and a poignant reflection on time. The film concludes with their embrace, set to a moving, slowed-down cover of Alison Limerick's 'Where Love Lies' by Labrinth.
This prominent role has catapulted Alldridge into the public eye, even earning him an appearance on This Morning with Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard. However, his performance in the advert is just one part of his current success story.
A Starring Role in a Netflix Hit
Alldridge's other major project is Death By Lightning, a new Netflix series that delves into the assassination of American President James A. Garfield. Released on November 6, the show has been met with widespread praise and has secured the number eight spot in Netflix's top 10 series in the UK, ranking ahead of 'Nobody Wants This' and 'The Bad Guys: Breaking In'.
The period drama boasts an impressive cast, with Matthew Macfadyen portraying the disgruntled office worker Charles Guiteau and Michael Shannon playing the nineteenth-century president, James A. Garfield. Creator and writer Mike Makowsky adapted the series from Candice Millard's book 'Destiny of the Republic', noting that Millard made a compelling case that Garfield could have been one of America's great presidents.
In the series, Jack Alldridge plays Harry Garfield, the eldest son of the assassinated leader. The young actor from Maidstone expressed his gratitude on Instagram, writing: 'This little Maidstone boy made it to the White House! Don't think I could feel more grateful that I get to call this the first project I've worked on.'
Critical Acclaim and Audience Praise
The show has been a resounding success with critics and viewers alike. It has scored an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes' Popcornmeter, a testament to its popularity.
Audience reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the exceptional quality of the production. One viewer, Marie S, described the acting as 'phenomenal', stating she was 'truly moved in more ways than one' and called it a 'must see'.
Other fans echoed this sentiment. Henry Rubin praised the 'wonderful evocation – acting, screenplay and production – of a president, largely forgotten,' while Gini Kast gave a five-star review, noting that 'all actors are spot on' in this fascinating four-part series.
With his face now familiar from one of the most talked-about Christmas adverts of the year and his performance in a critically acclaimed Netflix drama, Jack Alldridge's career is clearly on a remarkable ascent. Death By Lightning is available to stream now on Netflix.
