20th Century Studios has released the first trailer a for Ella McCay, written and directed by Oscar and Emmy winner James L. Brooks (As Good as It Gets, Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, The Simpsons).
The film opens exclusively in theaters December 12, 2025. Mackey stars as the titular character, an idealistic young woman who juggles her family and work life as a politician in a comedy about the people you love and how to survive them.
The clip opens with Julie Kavner’s character prefacing the story as its narrator.
“I’m here to provide facts about Ella McCay,” Kavner, who voices Marge in The Simpsons, says. “I’ve worked for her ever since she finished law school, so I’m not exactly neutral. I’m nuts about her.”
Cut to Mackey’s Ella stepping out of an escort car to talk to her aunt Helen, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, about “a ridiculously serious problem.” Her aunt warns that she is about to add to McCay’s problems because Ella’s estranged father (Woody Harrelson) has come back into her life.
“Eddie, you promised not to be yourself,” Curtis’ Helen says after Eddie asks how long it’s been since he’s seen his daughter. “I’m a different person now. I met an incredible woman. I’ve never in my life felt this way about any other woman.”
This string of sentences sends Ella out of the bar where they are talking in frustration as Harrelson’s Eddie backtracks to say that the statement doesn’t include her mother.
L-R: Jamie Lee Curtis as Helen and Emma Mackey as Ella McCay in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Ella McCay’
Courtesy of 20th Century Studios
At 34 years old, Ella becomes governor, and she and her aunt share an emotional moment thinking about Ella’s mother. Later in the clip, Helen encourages Ella to let a good scream out, but she fears she won’t be able to stop. At the end, the pair trade primal screams.
The cast of Ella McCay also includes Jack Lowden as Ella’s husband, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Fearn, Rebecca Hall, Julie Kavner, Becky Ann Baker, Joey Brooks and Albert Brooks. The film is produced by James L. Brooks, p.g.a., Richard Sakai, p.g.a., Julie Ansell, p.g.a., Jennifer Brooks.
See shots of the cast in the film below:
Woody Harrelson as Eddie McCay in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Ella McCay’
Courtesy of 20th Century Studios
Kumail Nanijani as Trooper Nash in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Ella McCay’
Claire Folger/20th Century Studios
L-R: Ayo Edibri as Susan and Spike Fearn as Casey in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Ella McCay’
Claire Folger/20th Century Studios
(L-R) Julie Kavner as Estelle and Jack Lowden as Ryan in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Ella McCay’
Courtesy of 20th Century Studios
Albert Brooks as Governor Bill in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Ella McCay’
Claire Folger/20th Century Studios
