"Fackham Hall" Trailer Takes Over: Your New Favorite Period Spoof is Almost Here!

Get ready to spill some tea (and maybe solve a murder!) because the trailer for Fackham Hall, a hilarious new British period comedy, just smashed viewing records and has everyone talking. You won't want to miss this chaotic upstairs-downstairs whodunit!

TL;DR

• The trailer for Fackham Hall, a British period satirical comedy, garnered over 7.3 million views in 24 hours, making it Bleecker Street's most-watched trailer ever!
• This star-studded spoof takes aim at beloved dramas like Downton Abbey and Gosford Park, promising a blend of farce, romance, and murder mystery.
• Directed by Jim O'Hanlon and co-written by Jimmy Carr, the film stars Thomasin McKenzie, Ben Radcliffe, Damian Lewis, Katherine Waterston, and Tom Felton, hitting US theaters on December 5, 2025.

The British Manor Gets a Hilarious Makeover: Prepare for Utter Chaos

Alright, period drama fans, brace yourselves! If you've ever secretly wished your favorite stuffy historical shows would just… let loose, then Fackham Hall is about to become your new obsession. This isn't your grandma's cozy Sunday night viewing; it's a full-throttle, no-holds-barred British period satirical comedy that’s ready to turn the genre on its head.

Directed by British TV veteran Jim O'Hanlon, known for his work on shows like Trying and Catastrophe, Fackham Hall promises a gleefully ridiculous period farce. Imagine the intricate upstairs-downstairs dynamics of Downton Abbey, the sharp wit of Gosford Park, and then infuse it all with the madcap absurdity of Airplane! and the anarchic spirit of Monty Python. That, my friends, is the recipe for Fackham Hall.

The story kicks off when lovable pickpocket Eric Noone (played by the talented Ben Radcliffe) somehow cons his way into a job at the grand English manor of Fackham Hall. As he climbs the social (and literal) ladder, a forbidden romance sparks between him and the lady-of-the-house, Rose Davenport (Thomasin McKenzie). But, because this is a period drama spoof, things quickly escalate. An unexpected murder throws the aristocratic Davenport family into disarray, and Eric finds himself framed. What starts as a charming (if chaotic) romance quickly morphs into a full-blown whodunit, packed with secret affairs, family scandals, and misunderstandings that would make even Benny Hill blush.

A Trailer That Broke Records (and Blew Up the Internet!)

We're not just talking about a little buzz here; the trailer for Fackham Hall, which dropped on October 28, absolutely exploded online. It racked up an astonishing 7.3 million views within its first 24 hours, making it the most-watched trailer EVER in Bleecker Street's history! That's a massive win for the US distributor and a clear sign that audiences are starving for some good, old-fashioned, self-aware humor.

It seems the spoof genre, once thought to be a relic, is officially "back." With the recent success of the Naked Gun remake, there's a clear appetite for movies that aren't afraid to poke fun at the very things we love about cinema and television. Fackham Hall is riding that wave, proving that sometimes, the best way to enjoy a genre is to lovingly lampoon it.

"Comedy – it is SO back! Thrilled that so many got a kick out of this glimpse of this madcap version of 1930s England. This is just a small taste of the nonstop insanity that fills every second of this hilarious movie."

— Kent Sanderson, CEO of Bleecker Street

Kent Sanderson, CEO of Bleecker Street, perfectly captured the excitement, noting how thrilled he was that so many viewers got a kick out of the glimpse into this "madcap version of 1930s England." It’s a testament to the film's clever marketing and, more importantly, its genuinely funny premise that it resonated so strongly with such a huge audience so quickly. This kind of record-breaking trailer traffic often translates into strong box office performance, putting Fackham Hall on track to be a significant hit for Bleecker Street, whose highest-grossing domestic film to date is Steven Soderbergh's Logan Lucky at $27.7 million.

Meet the Madcap Residents of Fackham Hall and Its Star-Studded Cast

One of the many reasons for the trailer's success is undoubtedly its fantastic ensemble cast, packed with recognizable faces who are clearly having a blast with the material. Leading the charge as the cunning pickpocket Eric Noone is Ben Radcliffe, who stepped into the role after Hero Fiennes Tiffin was originally attached. Radcliffe's journey from small-time criminal to manor insider is set to be a highlight.

His forbidden love interest, Rose Davenport, is played by the talented Thomasin McKenzie, known for her roles in films like Old and Last Night in Soho. Their budding romance forms the emotional (and comedic) core amidst the chaos.

The bumbling heads of the aristocratic Davenport family are brought to life by two seasoned actors: Damian Lewis as Lord Davenport and Katherine Waterston as Lady Davenport. Their performances are sure to be a masterclass in posh idiocy, especially after Lord Davenport becomes the murder victim around which the whodunit revolves. Adding to the family drama is Emma Laird as Poppy Davenport, the eldest daughter whose failed wedding to her cousin adds another layer of farcical entanglement.

The cast list reads like a who's who of British talent, all eager to dive into this comedic chaos:

• Ben Radcliffe as Eric Noone, the lovable pickpocket
• Thomasin McKenzie as Rose Davenport, Eric’s forbidden romance
• Damian Lewis as Lord Davenport, the ill-fated patriarch
• Katherine Waterston as Lady Davenport, navigating the family's absurdities
• Emma Laird as Poppy Davenport, the eldest daughter
• Tom Felton as Archibald, Eric's rival for Rose’s hand
• Jimmy Carr as the Vicar, a hilariously clueless clergyman (he also co-wrote the script!)
• Tom Goodman-Hill as Inspector Watt, the Poirot-esque detective with a detachable mustache
• Anna Maxwell Martin, appearing as a cold-mannered housekeeper (her specific character name varies in reporting)
• Sue Johnston as Great Aunt Bonaparte
• Lizzie Hopley as Phyllis Davenport
• Ramon Tikaram, Tim McMullan, Lily Knight, Laurie Ogden, Paula Wharton, and Gemma Wardle rounding out the eccentric cast.

With a cast this strong, delivering lines that promise to be both witty and outrageously silly, Fackham Hall is set to be a proper ensemble treat.

The Comedy Goldmine: What Makes This Spoof So Utterly Funny?

What sets Fackham Hall apart is its commitment to both the period setting and the over-the-top comedy. The filmmakers aren't just making a parody; they're crafting a film that feels like a classic British period piece, only with every button pushed right to the edge of hilarious absurdity. We're talking about specific gags glimpsed in the trailer, like a shooting trip where all manner of animals (including deer and foxes) are shot out of the sky, or the manor's incredibly inappropriate motto: "incestus ad infinitum."

The comedy is broad, deadpan, and delightfully self-aware. Inspector Watt, for instance, arrives on the scene to solve the murder with a Poirot-style mustache that he can (and does) remove and hang on a coat hook. Jimmy Carr's turn as a "moronic bishop" or "hilarious priest" who struggles to read his lines as intended adds another layer of meta-humor, a nod to his stand-up background and the film's writing team. And let's not forget the delightful image of Eric pouring champagne for children, perfectly encapsulating the chaotic breakdown of aristocratic decorum.

"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... I'm just slightly worried that if you say Fackham Hall in a posh English accent it might be misconstrued, hopefully that won't be a problem."

— Jimmy Carr, Co-writer and Actor

Co-writer and actor Jimmy Carr perfectly sums up the film's brilliant concept: marrying two things the British film industry does exceptionally well. His playful worry about the film's punny title ("Fackham Hall") in a posh accent hints at the kind of cheeky humor we can expect throughout. Director Jim O'Hanlon also emphasized the script's genius, calling it "a genuinely funny, fiendishly clever period comedy which even on the page makes you snort your tea out of several orifices at once, whilst still making you care hugely for the young couple at the centre of all the madness." It's clear that the creative team has poured their hearts into crafting a film that's both uproarious and surprisingly engaging.

When Can You Check Into Fackham Hall? US vs. UK Release Dates

Mark your calendars, movie lovers! Fackham Hall is set to open its doors across the nation on December 5, 2025, in US theaters. Bleecker Street is handling the distribution, with additional financing and marketing support from Legion M, a fan-owned entertainment company. This collaboration underscores the film's potential to appeal directly to an enthusiastic audience eager for unique, engaging cinema.

However, for our friends across the pond in the UK, the situation is a bit more... Britishly reserved. While the film was produced by Danny Perkins' Elysian Film Group in the UK and shot there, there's currently no confirmed UK release date. The trailer hasn't even hit UK cinemas yet, and Elysian's website doesn't show it on their upcoming slate. It feels a bit like a British-made period drama stuck in limbo on its home turf while its American debut is all systems go. We'll definitely keep you updated as soon as any news drops for a UK release, but for now, if you want to be among the first to experience the madness, a trip to the States might be in order!

Frequently Asked Questions About "Fackham Hall" When does Fackham Hall release in US theaters? Fackham Hall is scheduled to hit theaters in the United States on December 5, 2025. Who are some of the main stars in Fackham Hall? The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Thomasin McKenzie, Ben Radcliffe, Katherine Waterston, Emma Laird, Tom Felton, Damian Lewis, Jimmy Carr, and Anna Maxwell Martin. What kind of movie is Fackham Hall? It's a British period satirical comedy and a whodunit spoof, taking aim at classic dramas like Downton Abbey and Gosford Park with a comedic style akin to Airplane! and Monty Python. Is there a confirmed UK release date for Fackham Hall? As of now, there is no confirmed UK release date for Fackham Hall. While it was filmed in the UK, its US release is set for December 5, 2025, and UK audiences will need to wait for further announcements. Sources

• Deadline (Anthony D'Alessandro) - "‘Fackham Hall’ Racks Up Record Trailer Traffic For Bleecker Street"
• TheMovieBox - "‘Fackham Hall’ Trailer: Ben Radcliffe Cons His Way into High Society..."
• IndieWire (Christian Zilko) - "‘Fackham Hall’ Trailer: ‘Downton Abbey’ Gets ‘The Naked Gun’ Treatment"
• First Showing (Alex Billington) - "Hilarious Trailer for ‘Fackham Hall’ Comedy Spoofing ‘Downton Abbey’"
• What to Watch (Abby Allen) - "Agatha Christie meets Downton Abbey in this hilarious one-of-a-kind period drama"
• Digital Spy - "Anna Maxwell Martin's period drama with twist gets trailer"
• Film Stories (Simon Brew) - "Period drama spoof Fackham Hall has a trailer and release date in the US..."
• BroadwayWorld (Josh Sharpe) - "Photos/Video: First-Look at British Ensemble Comedy FACKHAM HALL"
• Pajiba (Dustin Rowles) - "Why Is the 'Fackham Hall' Trailer So Popular?"
• Fackham Hall - Official Red Band Trailer (YouTube)