Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson joins couple on sofa in UK spot for BT

Sex Education star Gillian Anderson interrupts a couple's evening viewing to highlight that BT's TV and broadband bundles now include a Netflix subscription.

Created by Saatchi & Saatchi London and launching today (14 October) on E4 during Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the ad communicates the variety of content available, thanks to BT's deal with Netflix.

"The interruption" features Anderson playing the character she depicts in the hit Netflix show. The 30-second spot opens with a couple seated on their sofa with popcorn. When the show they are watching ends, they start discussing what to watch next, unaware that Anderson is in the room.

The X-Files star surprises the couple as she sits on the sofa opposite them, telling them of the content available on Netflix. She flicks through shows, including Stranger Things and thriller Stay Close, while the couple remains flummoxed at her presence.

The camera cuts to the TV screen, where a scene of Anderson in Sex Education plays. The star suggests to the man that this is perhaps "more up your street, Clive", to which he looks sheepishly away.

The ad ends with Anderson joining them on the sofa and telling them to "scooch up".

The campaign will also run in cinemas and on key slots across ITV and Channel 4. The ad was directed by Ben Tonge through Prodigious and the creatives were Max Batten and Dominic Martin. Media planning was by Essence.

Pete Jeavons, BT's and EE"s marketing communications director, said: "Now more than ever people are looking to move to broadband and TV bundles as they search for  better value for money, which is why we are delighted to offer Netflix with our entertainment-based TV and broadband packages.

"As Gillian expertly shows in our latest campaign, with BT TV and broadband there is something for every viewer – whether a sci-fi, crime thriller or comedy fan. Our customers can be safe in the knowledge that they can access great content for even better prices."

William John, Saatchi & Saatchi's executive creative director, added: "BT TV's offering deserved world-class talent to encourage everyone to sit down, scooch up and watch great shows, whatever your taste. Gillian was the perfect person to showcase that there's something for everyone."