Jimmy Carr's film Fackham Hall is now in production
- Filming is underway on Fackham Hall, a new comedy film created by Jimmy Carr that spoofs period dramas like Downton Abbey
- The cast list includes Ben Radcliffe, Thomasin McKenzie, Damian Lewis and Tom Felton
- The producers describe the movie as "a hilarious, quintessentially British comedy caper"
Production is underway on Fackham Hall, a new comedy film created by Jimmy Carr.
Trade publication Variety reports that Damian Lewis is amongst the actors on set. Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, and Masters Of The Air actor Ben Radcliffe, are also signed up, joining the previously announced Thomasin McKenzie, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Emma Laird and Katherine Waterston.
Carr will appear a supporting role in the movie, with cameras - directed by Jim O'Hanlon - now rolling in the North West. The script has been written by Jimmy Carr alongside Patrick Carr and The Dawson Brothers.
Described as a Downton Abbey spoof in the vein of Airplane! and the Monty Python movies, Fackham Hall follows loveable pick-pocket Eric Noone (Radcliffe) as he lands a job at English manor house Fackham Hall. He quickly rises through the ranks and a forbidden romance with lady-of-the-house Rose Davenport (McKenzie) blossoms. But when an unexpected murder occurs, Eric gets framed - leaving Rose and her family's future perilously uncertain.
Damian Lewis is reportedly playing master-of-the-house Lord Davenport while Tom Felton is Archibald, Eric's main rival for Rose's hand.
Director Jim O'Hanlon says: "I'm so excited to be starting principal photography on Fackham Hall. We've assembled a stellar cast which would be the envy of any serious British period drama. This is doubly impressive given the fact that we are not in fact a serious British period drama, but a hilarious, laugh-out-loud, snort-Earl Grey-tea-out-your-nostrils British period comedy. Happily, our magnificent cast are as adept at making audiences laugh as they are at making them cry, so we've got the best of both worlds in one film! I can't wait to get started."
Producers Kris Thykier, Danny Perkins and Mila Cottray comment: "We're thrilled to kick off filming on what promises to be a hilarious, quintessentially British comedy caper. With this stellar cast and a razor-sharp script that only Jimmy Carr (alongside the brilliant Dawson Brothers) could have dreamed up, this film will be a riot, combining wit, irreverence, and a love for the absurd, from start to finish. We can't wait to bring this unique spoof to life and, ultimately, to audiences everywhere!
Referring to the prolific film production company founded by A Room With A View producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory, Jimmy Carr jokes: "Future generations of film students will mention Fackham Hall in the same sentence as Merchant Ivory. And that sentence will be Fackham Hall was an insult to Merchant Ivory."