“Ella McCay” is an upcoming American political comedy-drama film from legendary writer and director James L. Brooks, the creative force behind Terms of Endearment and Broadcast News. The movie stars Emma Mackey (Sex Education, Barbie) as the ambitious title character, joined by an all-star cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Albert Brooks, and Woody Harrelson. Blending sharp wit with heartfelt storytelling, Ella McCay promises to deliver Brooks’s signature mix of humour, humanity, and political insight.
In Ella McCay, an idealistic 34-year-old lieutenant governor (played by Emma Mackey) navigates the intense pressures of political life while managing her own personal struggles. As she prepares to step into the role of governor, after her longtime mentor and the state’s respected leader is tapped for a position in the incoming Obama administration, Ella faces a defining test of character, leadership, and conviction. Balancing family turmoil, moral dilemmas, and the weight of public expectation, Ella McCay presents a sharp, heartfelt examination of the complexities of power and purpose in modern American politics.
Ella McCay is scheduled to be released in the United States by 20th Century Studios on December 12, 2025
