‘Fackham Hall’ Is a Downright Hilarious ‘Downton Abbey’ Spoof

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Okay, let me tell you about Fackham Hall. If you’re a fan of shows like Downton Abbey or Gosford Park, prepare to have everything you love about them delightfully ripped apart. This movie is a genuinely funny spoof, and it doesn’t just offer surface-level jokes. It’s a clever satire that tackles class, gender roles, and all the familiar tropes of the period drama genre. Honestly, you’ll need to pay attention – the humor is layered and packed into every single scene, with hilarious things happening in the background constantly. It’s a really smart and consistently funny film, and I guarantee it’ll have you laughing out loud.

Jim O’Hanlon’s latest comedy offers a refreshing break from the typical holiday season filled with special effects-heavy blockbusters and overly serious Oscar contenders. The film also includes some unexpected musical numbers, one of which – a particularly cheeky song in the second act – is remarkably brilliant and worthy of an Oscar nomination.

I’m completely drawn into this new series, Fackham Hall! It’s set in England in 1931, and the story revolves around the Davenport family and their stunning country estate. Lord and Lady Davenport are thrilled their eldest daughter, Poppy, is getting married to her rather unpleasant cousin, Archibald. But it’s not a love match – they’re desperate to secure the future of their home, which can only be inherited by a male. Sadly, all the Davenport sons died in World War I, so Poppy is their last chance. It’s tough because her younger sister, Rose, is considered an undesirable spinster at just over twenty, so all the family’s hopes rest on this marriage.

In London, charming thief Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) goes back to the orphanage where he grew up with a crucial package for Lord Davenport, needing to deliver it before the wedding. On the way, he instantly falls for Rose, but gets caught up in the wedding preparations when he’s mistaken for a servant. The strict butler (Tim McMullan) and housekeeper (Anna Maxwell Martin) aren’t happy when Eric starts a romance with a wealthy guest. Their budding relationship soon causes problems, and Inspector Watt (Tom Goodman-Hill) arrives to investigate a surprising development.

The show’s incredibly witty script, penned by comedian Jimmy Carr, his brother Patrick, and the Dawson Brothers, brilliantly satirizes the arrogance of the upper class. They don’t shy away from tackling difficult themes like the practice of marrying within families to maintain power, and the unfair treatment of women during that era. The Davenport daughters are treated as possessions, with no control over their own destinies, while even the servants are subjected to the family’s ridiculous demands. Despite their wealth, everyone’s life revolves around maintaining the family’s status.


Bleecker Street

The show features a talented cast of both established and up-and-coming actors. Many scenes involve the entire group playfully teasing each other about their backgrounds and social standing. These moments are filled with physical comedy, slapstick, and even absurd props – think cows and rabbits falling from the sky, reminiscent of Monty Python. Pulling off these complex scenes takes a lot of teamwork, and Lewis particularly shines as the hilariously clumsy Lord Davenport. Davenport avoids doing any work himself, and is often portrayed like a puppet, with his long-suffering valet assisting him – it’s a running gag that always gets a laugh.

Like a great symphony needs a conductor, this film benefits hugely from the skilled direction of Jim O’Hanlon (known for shows like Coronation Street, Trying, and Your Christmas or Mine?). He expertly guides the actors, and his smart choices with editing and camera angles – particularly the use of wide shots to emphasize the film’s scale – really make it work. Because timing is so crucial for comedy, O’Hanlon and editor Colin Fair perfectly time the cuts to reaction shots, maximizing the laughs. The film also playfully pokes fun at Downton Abbey, and to succeed, the characters need to feel similar to those in the original series. However, it’s a delicate balance – the parody can’t be too harsh, or the film risks losing the audience who love Downton Abbey. It’s a tricky challenge, but O’Hanlon’s extensive experience – he’s directed hundreds of TV episodes – clearly shines through.


Bleecker Street

Fackham Hall is full of unexpected turns, but the main plot twist is actually pretty clear from the beginning – and that’s not a bad thing! The story needs to follow a certain path to feel like a complete film, rather than just a series of funny scenes. It’s a fast-paced comedy that keeps you entertained with constant jokes, and it stays consistently funny throughout. That kind of consistent humor is hard to achieve, but this film pulls it off, delivering laughs even after the credits roll.

Honestly, you can totally enjoy Fackham Hall even if you’ve never seen the show it’s making fun of. But you have to be willing to just go with the ridiculousness – it’s unapologetically silly! If you’re a fan of comedies like Airplane! and The Naked Gun – and I especially think if you enjoyed Liam Neeson’s take on The Naked Gun – then trust me, Fackham Hall is a must-watch. You won’t be disappointed.

Fackham Hall will be released theatrically on December 5 from Bleecker Street.

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2025-12-04 05:05