Miss 'Downton Abbey'? Watch This 2025 Period Drama Satire Starring Tom Felton
This is the perfect pick for those who love the atmosphere of old English estates but want to see them in a new, playful light.
In a world where serious historical dramas about English aristocrats have become a genre of their own, a witty reimagining is long overdue.
Fackham Hall is a parody of classic costume dramas like Downton Abbey. With a stellar cast, the creators offer a glimpse into the world of estates, arranged marriages, and family secrets through hilarious and shameless satire.
What Is 'Fackham Hall' About?
The story is set in 1931 at Fackham Hall, the estate of one of England's wealthiest families, the Davenports.
The family's only hope of preserving their estate rests on the upcoming wedding of their daughter, Poppy, to her cousin, the heir to the estate, Archibald. Only men can legally own land, and all four of the Davenports' sons have died.
However, the celebration is disrupted, and the burden of saving the family falls on the shoulders of their second daughter, 23-year-old Rose. However, her mother considers her hopelessly old for marriage.
'Fackham Hall' Is an Obvious Satire of British Shows Like 'Downton Abbey'
Fackham Hall is a deliberate parody of historical dramas about British high society.
From the very first frame, it recreates familiar settings, such as prim tea parties in drawing rooms, complex marriage intrigues, and investigations into mysterious happenings.
However, in this movie, each of these tropes is exaggerated and presented with irony. The screenwriters mercilessly ridicule the lengths to which aristocratic families went to preserve their status and property, especially the practice of arranged marriages.
'Fackham Hall' Is Full of a Light-Hearted Atmosphere & Witty British Cultural References
Fackham Hall is not just a collection of jokes, it's a puzzle of British cultural references. The Davenports' deceased sons are named after the Beatles: John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
Among the wedding guests, J.R.R. Tolkien can be spotted, persistently reminding everyone of the book he's writing. The character Eric, a street con man, alludes to Dickens' classic hero Oliver Twist.
It's as if the creators compiled a checklist of everything the world associates with Britain, masterfully weaving these elements into the narrative.
The result is a light, dynamic, and stylish comedy that doesn't reinvent the genre but offers genuine laughs while preserving the era's charm.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Fackham Hall'?
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Fackham Hall has 77% from both critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.5/10.
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On Letterboxd, Fackham Hall scored 3.1/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Fackham Hall'?
Fackham Hall is currently playing in theaters.
