Principal photography for Fackham Hall kicked off in October 2024 across the industrial grit and stately architecture of northern England, with filming centered in Leeds and Liverpool. Starring Hero Fiennes Tiffin as a sharp-witted porter caught in the crossfire of aristocratic chaos, the film is a satirical romp through the British country house tradition — think Downton Abbey meets The Naked Gun, with a dash of Earl Grey spilled on the rug.
When the Butler Met the Bride (and the Chaos Began)
Fackham Hall isn’t just another period piece. It’s a deliberate, gleeful mockery of them. Directed by Jim O'Hanlon, the BAFTA-nominated mastermind behind Trying and Catastrophe, the film leans into absurdity with precision. The plot hinges on the unlikely bond between Tiffin’s character — a lowly porter with more observational wit than the entire Davenport family combined — and Thomasin McKenzie, playing the youngest daughter of the eccentric, crumbling aristocracy. Meanwhile, Damian Lewis as Lord Davenport and Katherine Waterston as Lady Davenport navigate the fallout of their eldest daughter’s wedding to a roguish cousin, played by Emma Laird. The whole affair is a powder keg of hidden letters, stolen heirlooms, and a suspiciously well-timed goose in the ballroom."We’re not making a drama," O’Hanlon told The Cinemaholic. "We’re making a comedy that just happens to have corsets and candelabras. And our cast? They can cry in one take and have you wheezing in the next. That’s rare. That’s gold."
A Cast That Could Fill a Downton Ballroom
The ensemble reads like a who’s who of British talent past and present. Tom Felton, forever etched in pop culture as Draco Malfoy, returns to period fare — this time as a delightfully sleazy cousin with a penchant for bad decisions and worse waistcoats. Ben Radcliffe, fresh off Masters of the Air, rounds out the supporting cast as a clueless footman who somehow always ends up in the wrong room at the worst time.It’s not just about the actors — it’s about their chemistry. On set, reports from Comedy.co.uk described laughter echoing through the halls of a converted 19th-century manor near Liverpool, where crew members had to stop filming because Lewis and Tiffin were too busy improvising a scene about a misplaced silver teapot. "You can’t script that," said one crew member. "It’s like watching Monty Python rehearse in a drawing room."
From TIFF to Theaters: A Deal That Made Waves
The film’s momentum began at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024, where Bleecker Street snapped up U.S. distribution rights in the festival’s first major acquisition. The deal, brokered by Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy on behalf of Bleecker Street, and Anonymous Content alongside CAA Media Finance, signals serious confidence in the film’s commercial appeal. Bleecker Street, known for smartly marketed indies like Marriage Story and Sound of Metal, sees Fackham Hall as a potential breakout comedy — a genre that’s been under-served in recent years.Meanwhile, international rights are being handled by The Veterans, with sales already underway in Europe and Asia. The film’s production label, Mews Films, co-founded by Kris Thykier (I Give It a Year) and Danny Perkins (Greatest Days), is betting big on British humor’s global resurgence.
Why This Isn’t Just Another Spoof
Period comedies have a rich legacy — from Stiff Upper Lips in 1997 to Monty Python’s Life of Brian. But Fackham Hall isn’t just recycling the same jokes. Its humor is faster, sharper, and more self-aware. Unlike older spoofs that relied on exaggerated accents and slow-burn slapstick, this film leans into modern comedic timing — think rapid-fire dialogue, visual gags hidden in the background of lavish interiors, and a narrator who occasionally sighs at the absurdity."It’s not parodying Downton Abbey because it’s bad," said film critic Eleanor Rigby in an exclusive interview. "It’s parodying how seriously we take it. We’ve turned aristocratic dysfunction into a national pastime. This film doesn’t mock the class system — it holds up a mirror and laughs at how we still romanticize it."
What’s Next? A 2025 Release and a New Comedy Standard
Filming wrapped in late November 2024, with post-production now underway. The team is aiming for a spring 2025 release in the U.S., followed by a summer rollout in the UK. Early test screenings with audiences in London and New York have drawn laughs in the 85-90% range — a rarity for comedies.With its blend of star power, clever writing, and a production team that knows how to balance satire with heart, Fackham Hall could be the film that revives British period comedy for a new generation. And if it works? Don’t be surprised if studios start greenlighting more scripts where the butler is the real hero.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote 'Fackham Hall' and is this Jimmy Carr’s first screenplay?
Yes, this is comedian Jimmy Carr’s feature screenwriting debut, co-written with Patrick Carr and the Dawson Brothers (Andrew and Steve Dawson). Carr, known for his rapid-fire stand-up and dark humor, reportedly spent over two years developing the script, drawing inspiration from British farces and his own family’s eccentric holiday gatherings. The script reportedly contains over 120 jokes per page — a density rarely seen outside of classic Mel Brooks films.
Where exactly was 'Fackham Hall' filmed?
Principal photography took place in Leeds and Liverpool, with key scenes shot at the restored 1890s estate of Temple Newsam House in Leeds and the historic warehouses of Liverpool’s Albert Dock, doubled as servants’ quarters. Several exterior shots of the fictional Fackham Hall were filmed at the Grade I-listed Harewood House in Yorkshire, known for its use in Harry Potter and Victoria.
Why did Bleecker Street invest so heavily in this film?
Bleecker Street saw Fackham Hall as a rare blend of star power, critical pedigree, and broad comedic appeal. With Hero Fiennes Tiffin drawing fans from the After franchise and Damian Lewis bringing prestige drama credibility, the film bridges audiences. The studio also noted rising demand for non-superhero comedies — especially those with strong British voices — after the success of Barbie and The Bear in global markets.
How does 'Fackham Hall' differ from other British period spoofs?
Unlike older spoofs that mocked class through broad caricature, Fackham Hall uses subtle visual cues — a servant’s perfectly timed eye-roll, a teacup that mysteriously reappears — to deliver its humor. The script avoids slapstick in favor of situational irony and deadpan delivery. Director Jim O’Hanlon likened it to a jazz improvisation: everyone knows the melody, but the solos are all unexpected. It’s less about who’s falling down the stairs, and more about who’s pretending they didn’t see it happen.
Is there a chance for a sequel?
While nothing is official, the writers have already mapped out a potential sequel titled Fackham Hall: The Christmas Special, where the family hosts a royal visit during the 1920s, and the porter is mistaken for a disgraced duke. The script is reportedly 80% complete, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin has hinted he’d "definitely return if they let me keep the uniform." Production timelines would depend on the film’s box office performance in early 2025.
What’s the budget and how does it compare to similar films?
The film’s budget is estimated at $12.5 million — modest for a period piece, but high for a British comedy. For comparison, Stiff Upper Lips (1997) had a $4.2 million budget, while Downton Abbey the movie cost $28 million. Fackham Hall achieved its look through clever location reuse and period-specific props sourced from British film archives, not lavish new sets. The savings allowed the producers to pay the cast above-scale, which helped attract top-tier talent.