Is Lucy Liu the actress in the new Mercedes-Benz commercial?
Investigating whether Lucy Liu appears on-screen — or only behind the mic — in recent Mercedes campaigns
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Does Lucy Liu appear on-screen in the Mercedes-Benz campaign?
In mid-2025, Mercedes-Benz USA made headlines by naming Lucy Liu as its new official brand voice in the U.S.
The first campaign under her tenure is called “Moving Forward,” promoting the GLS SUV, and Liu narrates it in her voiceover role.
However, there is no indication in available sources that she appears visually as the lead actress in the commercial. All coverage frames her contribution as voiceover, not on-screen performance.
So, while she is very much part of the Mercedes campaign, the role seems auditory rather than visual.
What the press says about her role
Mercedes-Benz’s press release declares that Liu brings a sophisticated tone and will serve as the brand’s voice in U.S. marketing efforts.
AdWeek reported that Liu replaces Jon Hamm, who had been the voice of Mercedes for 15 years, and that the new “Moving Forward” spot is 35 seconds long and plays across television, streaming, and digital platforms.
Marketing Interactive emphasized that Liu’s voice is central to the new storytelling direction for the brand, reinforcing an emotional connection with the vehicles.
Luxury Daily and other trade outlets specifically note that her contribution is in voiceover narration, not in on-camera performance in the ad.
Thus, the consensus in public sources is consistent: Lucy Liu voices the ads, but is not credited as the face of the campaign.
Why Mercedes may have chosen Liu for voiceover work
Fresh branding direction
Mercedes stepping away from Jon Hamm’s long run suggests a recalibration of brand tone. The choice of Liu signals a shift toward diversity, nuance, and modern emotional storytelling.
Her voice as a brand asset
Liu’s range allows her to deliver warmth, confidence, and elegance — traits that align with luxury branding.
Strategic invisibility
Using a voiceover rather than a visual identity gives Mercedes flexibility. The visuals can remain vehicle-driven (literally), while Liu’s voice guides the emotional arc — allowing audiences to project themselves into the imagery, rather than seeing it anchored to a celebrity figure.
Aligning with brand values
Liu has a well-known profile as a serious actor, producer, and public figure. Her reputation can lend credibility without overt overshadowing of the product.
Given these reasons, the voiceover approach seems intentional — using her name recognition and emotional voice without necessarily making her the visual focus.
Could she still appear on-screen later?
It’s not impossible that future Mercedes campaigns might include Liu visually, but as of now no credible report supports that. Here are the possibilities and constraints:
The initial contract may have been for narration rights only, so her appearance might require separate negotiation.
She might make cameo appearances or stylized visuals in later versions once the voice becomes familiar to audiences.
However, Mercedes likely wants to maintain the car’s primacy as the visual star — bringing in a celebrity face might shift the focus away from the vehicle.
In short: the foundation is voice. If she ever appears on-screen, it would be an expansion of that baseline role.
Conclusion: What we know so far
So, is Lucy Liu the actress in the new Mercedes-Benz commercial? Based on all available evidence:
Yes, she is involved — as the official voice of the brand in the U.S.
But no, there is no credible confirmation that she appears visually in the ad. All published sources point to her voiceover work.
The campaign “Moving Forward” features Liu’s narration launching the GLS SUV messaging.
Acting Magazine Newsletters
Never miss out on the best from Acting Magazine.