Fackham Hall Trailer Smashes Records: Get Ready for the Wildest Downton Abbey Spoof Ever!

Move over, stuffy manor houses! The trailer for Fackham Hall, a new British period satirical comedy, has absolutely exploded online, setting a new record for distributor Bleecker Street and making waves as a must-watch film of 2025. If you've ever secretly wished your favorite period dramas had more slapstick and fewer serious stares, this one's for you!

TL;DR: The Lowdown on Fackham Hall's Record-Breaking Buzz

• The Fackham Hall trailer clocked 7.3 million views in its first 24 hours, becoming Bleecker Street's most-watched trailer ever!
• This hilarious film is a star-studded spoof combining the elegance of Downton Abbey with the absurdity of Airplane! and Monty Python.
• Mark your calendars! Fackham Hall hits US theaters on December 5, 2025, with a fantastic ensemble cast including Tom Felton and Damian Lewis.

A Hilarious Twist on High Society: What is Fackham Hall All About?

Imagine the grandeur of a 1930s English manor, complete with rigid social codes, forbidden romances, and endless cups of tea. Now, inject that setting with the kind of over-the-top, self-aware humor that would make Leslie Nielsen proud. That's essentially the premise of Fackham Hall, which is already being described as a glorious blend of Downton Abbey, Airplane!, and Monty Python. And honestly, sign us up!

The film kicks off when Eric Noone (played by the charismatic Ben Radcliffe), a lovable pickpocket with a knack for charming his way into places he doesn't belong, lands a job at the esteemed Fackham Hall. As he navigates the intricate "upstairs, downstairs" dynamics, he unexpectedly finds himself entangled in a forbidden romance with Rose Davenport (Thomasin McKenzie), one of the manor's ladies. But just as things get interesting, a murder mystery strikes the estate, and guess who ends up as the prime suspect? Our boy Eric, of course!

The tagline "Born for aristocracy. Bred for idiocy." perfectly captures the film's vibe, promising a delightful collision of period elegance and outright comedic chaos. And yes, for those who caught the trailer, there’s even a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it joke about the Hall's motto being "incestus ad infinitum," just to set the tone.

The Star-Studded Cast Ready to Deliver Unforgettable Laughs

One of the most exciting aspects of Fackham Hall is its incredible ensemble cast, featuring a mix of dramatic heavyweights and comedic talents all perfectly poised to deliver the film’s unique brand of humor. The director, Jim O'Hanlon, explicitly stated his intention to cast actors who could realistically appear in a "proper" British period drama and then have them play everything as straight as possible, which only heightens the comedic effect.

Leading the charge are Ben Radcliffe as the cunning Eric Noone and Thomasin McKenzie as the lovestruck Rose Davenport. Their forbidden romance is set to be the emotional core amidst the madness. But the supporting cast is where things truly get wild:

• Tom Felton, best known as Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series, takes on a bold comedic shift as Archibald, Eric's dubious rival for Rose's affections. This role could definitely redefine his career trajectory, showcasing his versatility beyond the wizarding world.
• Katherine Waterston (from Fantastic Beasts and Alien: Covenant) plays Lady Davenport, bringing her dramatic chops to the role of the bewildered matriarch.
• Damian Lewis (of Billions and Homeland fame) is Lord Davenport, who, in the trailer, meets an untimely demise, setting off the murder mystery.
• Comedian Jimmy Carr isn't just a co-writer; he also stars as a hilariously flustered Vicar, struggling with his lines and basic punctuation.
• Emma Laird (Mayor of Kingstown) portrays Poppy Davenport, the eldest daughter whose failed wedding adds another layer of absurdity to the family's woes.
• Other notable talents include Tom Goodman-Hill as the delightfully named Inspector Watt, complete with a removable Poirot-style mustache, and Anna Maxwell Martin, whose role is still under wraps but promises to be memorable.
• Rounding out this impressive lineup are Sue Johnston as Great Aunt Bonaparte, Ramon Tikaram, Tim McMullan, Lizzie Hopley, Lily Knight, Laurie Ogden, Paula Wharton, and Gemma Wardle.

"A great deal of the comedy of Fackham Hall comes from the gap between the ludicrousness of the plot and dialogue and the action, and how seriously the characters appear to be taking the whole enterprise. So it was a very deliberate choice to cast actors who could just as feasibly appear in a ‘real’, British period drama, and to get them to play everything as straight as possible, without any winking to the camera or hamming it up or reacting to the craziness going on around them in any way."

– Jim O'Hanlon, Director, Fackham Hall

Behind the Gags: The Vision of Director Jim O'Hanlon and Writer Jimmy Carr

This isn't just a random collection of jokes; there's a clear comedic philosophy driving Fackham Hall. Director Jim O'Hanlon, known for his work on shows like Catastrophe and his spoof detective dramas A Touch of Cloth, grew up loving classic spoofs like Airplane! and The Naked Gun. He wanted to channel that spirit into a period setting, creating a film that's both a "brilliantly inventive parody" and genuinely engaging on its own terms.

O'Hanlon’s unique approach to directing the cast involved asking them to play things "ten and a half" – a slightly heightened version of "straight" acting to perfectly land the deadpan humor. He shared that an executive producer even counted a whopping 278 jokes in an early cut of the film, ranging from subtle verbal quips to outrageous physical gags. You'll see things like a manservant doing everything for his master (literally!) and the aforementioned Vicar’s struggles with script interpretation, all contributing to a rich tapestry of humor.

Co-writer and star Jimmy Carr, a comedian known for his sharp wit, also weighed in on the film’s genre-bending nature: "The British Film Industry does two things very well. Period drama and comedy. Now we didn't have time to write two movies, so we've had to mash the genres together." He even humorously acknowledged the film's punny title, hoping it wouldn't be "misconstrued" when pronounced in a posh English accent. This level of self-awareness is exactly what makes classic spoofs so brilliant, and it looks like Fackham Hall is embracing it wholeheartedly.

Breaking Records and Betting on British Wit: The Trailer's Triumph and Release Details

The buzz surrounding Fackham Hall is no joke, and the numbers prove it. The film's trailer didn't just perform well; it absolutely shattered records for its US distributor, Bleecker Street, racking up an astonishing 7.3 million views in its first 24 hours. This kind of viral success is rare for mid-budget comedies, especially in an era where the genre sometimes struggles to find its footing on the big screen.

This record-breaking performance suggests a strong public appetite for well-crafted spoof comedies, a subgenre that has seen a recent resurgence with hits like the Naked Gun remake. If Fackham Hall can translate its trailer's success into box office numbers, it could signal a welcome revival for clever, satirical films.

For audiences in the United States, you won't have to wait too long to experience the chaos. Fackham Hall is set to premiere in US theaters on December 5, 2025. Bleecker Street is handling the US distribution, with additional support from Legion M. However, for our friends across the pond, the situation is a bit more up in the air. Despite being a British-shot film with a predominantly British cast and crew, there's currently no confirmed UK release date, leaving it in a bit of limbo. We'll be keeping an eye out for any updates on that front!

Why Fackham Hall Could Be Your Next Must-Watch Comedy

In a cinematic landscape often dominated by superheroes and high-concept dramas, Fackham Hall offers a refreshing change of pace. It's a film designed to make you laugh out loud, to appreciate the cleverness of its satire, and perhaps even to feel a little bit of affection for its ridiculously earnest characters. Whether you're a die-hard fan of period dramas looking for a playful poke, a devotee of classic spoof comedies, or simply in search of a genuinely funny film, Fackham Hall promises a riotous good time.

With its impressive cast, sharp writing, and a director clearly passionate about the genre, this movie is shaping up to be more than just a fleeting gag. It's an affectionate parody that could very well steal your heart while tickling your funny bone. Get ready for an unforgettable trip to Fackham Hall!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Anticipated Fackham Hall Film

When does Fackham Hall release in theaters? Fackham Hall is scheduled to hit theaters in the US on December 5, 2025. Who are the main cast members of Fackham Hall? The film stars Ben Radcliffe as Eric Noone, Thomasin McKenzie as Rose Davenport, Tom Felton as Archibald, Katherine Waterston as Lady Davenport, and Damian Lewis as Lord Davenport. Comedian Jimmy Carr also appears as the Vicar and is a co-writer. What kind of movie is Fackham Hall? It's a British period satirical comedy, described as a spoof that crosses the elegance of Downton Abbey with the absurd humor of Airplane! and Monty Python. Will Fackham Hall be released in the UK? As of now, there is no confirmed UK release date for Fackham Hall, though it was shot in Britain. Sources

• ScreenRant: Fackham Hall Trailer Breaks Bleecker Street Records With Harry Potter Alum Tom Felton
• TheMovieBox: “Fackham Hall” Trailer: Ben Radcliffe Cons His Way into High Society in New British Period Spoof with Thomasin McKenzie, Damian Lewis & Katherine Waterston – In Theaters December 5th
• IndieWire: ‘Fackham Hall’ Trailer: ‘Downton Abbey’ Gets ‘The Naked Gun’ Treatment in Period Piece Spoof
• Collider: 'Fackham Hall' Trailer Spoofs 'Downton Abbey' With an All-Star Cast [Exclusive]
• FirstShowing: Hilarious Trailer for 'Fackham Hall' Comedy Spoofing 'Downton Abbey'
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