Ella McCay Trailer & Fun Facts
Ella McCay Synopsis:
Ella (Emma Mackey), a young and idealistic woman who becomes a state governor, attempts to navigate the demands of her new career with a dysfunctional family, including her estranged father (Woody Harrelson) and outspoken aunt (Jamie Lee Curtis), all while trying to balance her personal and professional life along with challenges she faces in her journey and finding heroism in public service.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Release Date: In theaters December 12th, 2025
Ella McCay Fun Facts:
Star-Studded Cast:
The movie features a fantastic group of cast, including Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, and Albert Brooks.
A Grand Return:
This movie is written and directed by the legendary James L. Brooks. This is also his first movie in 15 years since "How Do You Know" (2010).
The Voice of a Legend:
Julie Kavner serves as the film's narrator. She is best known as the voice of Marge Simpson (The Simpsons TV show co-created by James L. Brooks).
Film Setting:
The film takes place in the year 2008. According to Brooks, he picked this time to showcase the excitement of politics before the deep divides we see now.
A "Brilliant" Lead:
Director James L. Brooks cast Emma Mackey in the lead role after being impressed by her performance in the series Sex Education. He compared her to classic Hollywood stars like Katharine Hepburn and Rosalind Russell, noting that she possesses many of those similar qualities.
A Strategic Release Date:
The movie was originally scheduled to release on September 19th, 2025, but then it was pushed back to the current release date on December 12th, 2025. This new date usually suggests that the studio thinks the film could get noticed during award season and do very well at the box office during the holidays.
Filming Location:
Main filming started early February 2024 and finished early May 2024. The majority of the filming took place in Rhode Island, along with other areas in Cleveland and New Orleans.