‘fackham Hall’ Trailer: ‘downton Abbey’ Gets ‘the Naked Gun’ Treatment in Period Piece Spoof

New Comedy “Fackham Hall” Brings Parody to British Period Pieces

In a twist reminiscent of the 1988 comedy The Naked Gun, director Jim O’Hanlon is set to release a new film, Fackham Hall, which aims to spoof classic British period pieces such as Downton Abbey. This upcoming project from Bleecker Street is scheduled for a December 5, 2025, release in theaters.

Plot and Characters: A Blend of Parody and Romance

Set in the English countryside, Fackham Hall follows Eric Noone, played by Thomasin McKenzie, as he lands a job at an eccentric English manor house. As expected from the parody genre, Eric quickly rises through the ranks, but his storyline takes an unexpected turn when a murder occurs and he gets framed. This twist leaves Rose Davenport, the lady of the house, and her family’s future in peril.

The film also introduces a romantic subplot between Eric and Rose, played by Katherine Waterston, adding depth to its comedic narrative. Other notable cast members include Ben Radcliffe, Emma Laird, Tom Goodman-Hill, Ramon Tikaram, Tim McMullan, Anna Maxwell Martin, Sue Johnston, Tom Felton, and Damian Lewis.

Parodying “Downton Abbey” and More

Fackham Hall is not just a standalone parody; it blends elements from other classics. The official synopsis describes the film as crossing Downton Abbey, Airplane!, and Monty Python. This mix aims to provide fans of period pieces with a fresh take on familiar tropes.

“Fackham Hall” is set against the backdrop of British aristocracy, much like “Downton Abbey,” but with a comedic edge. The plot borrows from the classic story of a lower-class criminal working his way up within a hierarchical society, a trope that has been satirized in many forms of comedy.

Market Timing and Parody’s Resurgence

The resurgence of parody films like “The Naked Gun” suggests there may be an audience for this type of content. Akiva Schaffer’s reboot of The Naked Gun, which starred Liam Neeson, was one of the summer’s breakout hits. This success might provide momentum for Fackham Hall.

While parodies have been a staple in Hollywood for decades, they have become less common in recent years.

With “Fackham Hall,” Akiva Schaffer and Jim O’Hanlon hope to revive this genre by targeting a specific niche of audiences who enjoy satirical takes on well-known franchises.

“Fackham Hall” opens in theaters on December 5, 2025, promising a blend of humor, romance, and social commentary that fans of period pieces might find particularly entertaining,” says producer Danny Perkins. The film is co-written by Steve Dawson, Andrew Dawson, Tim Imman, Jimmy Carr, and Patrick Carr.

The trailer for Fackham Hall has been released, offering a glimpse into the comedic world of upper-class British life gone awry. With its blend of classic tropes and modern humor, it aims to provide a fresh take on familiar content, much like “The Naked Gun” did in its time.