Ella McCay is an upcoming political comedy-drama written and directed by James L. Brooks, marking his first film in over a decade. Emma Mackey plays a young, idealistic politician who unexpectedly takes on the role of her mentor while dealing with problems in both her personal and professional life. The movie has a great cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Albert Brooks and Ayo Edebiri. It mixes sharp political satire with touching family scenes.
Produced by 20th Century Studios, the film is set for a theatrical release on December 12, 2025. According to NetFilming, the production team made use of multiple real-world locations, adding authenticity to the political settings seen on screen. Below is a detailed guide to where Ella McCay was filmed.
Where Was Ella McCay Filmed?
Filming for Ella McCay primarily took place in Providence, Rhode Island. The crew used a mix of historic landmarks, government buildings, schools, and neighbourhood streets to create the political world of the story. Additional filming occurred in Pawtucket, New Orleans, and Cleveland.
Providence, Rhode Island: The Heart of Ella McCay’s Filming
The main place where Ella McCay was filmed was Providence, Rhode Island. Filming started on February 5, 2024. The city’s historical charm and diverse neighbourhoods made it the perfect setting for this political story. The crew filmed in more than two dozen places in Providence and nearby towns. They came back in March 2025 to film more scenes. Here’s a list of the most important places.
Federal Hill, Providence
The production team set up shops around Almy Street and Broadway in the lively Federal Hill neighbourhood of Providence. Helen’s 445, a fictional pub built into a real building, was one of the most captivating places. It made key scenes feel more alive. There was also a house next to the bar on Broadway and a brick row house across the street. These places made the movie’s setting feel like a close-knit community.
Fun fact: Federal Hill has a long history in films. In films like The Departed (2006), its Italian-American heritage and charming streets made Martin Scorsese’s crime drama feel more real.
Smith Hill, Providence
Smith Hill, another important neighbourhood in Providence, was a big part of Ella McCay. The famous Rhode Island State House was a major filming location. The State Library, State Room, House chambers, and governor’s office were all used for interior scenes. It made sense to tell a story about a rising politician at the State House because of its grand architecture and political importance. Scenes showed characters moving between the two government buildings, which were the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Headquarters at 2 Capitol Hill and Smith Street.
Trivia: The Rhode Island State House has appeared in other political dramas, including Amistad (1997), where its historic interiors stood in for 19th-century courtrooms.
Cranston Street Armory, Providence
The historic Cranston Street Armory, part of the Broadway-Armory Historic District, was leased as a soundstage through May 2024. This landmark from the early 1900s gave the filmmakers space to build sets and film scenes inside, which made the movie feel more real. The castle-like shape of the building is a well-known part of Providence’s skyline.
Trivia: the Cranston Street Armoury has been used in TV shows like NOS4A2 (2019), where its unusual design made for a creepy setting for supernatural scenes.
East Side, Providence
Filming on Providence’s East Side started with street scenes along Blackstone Boulevard on February 5, 2024. The production also used Glenlyon Park and Pods Swimming as picturesque backdrops. Moses Brown School, a private preparatory school and nearby Olney Street were additional filming spots, bringing a polished, residential vibe to the movie.
Trivia: Providence’s East Side was a filming location for Hocus Pocus (1993), where its tree-lined streets and historic homes helped create the spooky yet charming vibe of Salem, Massachusetts.
Pawtucket (Oak Hill) and Other Rhode Island Communities
In April 2024, the production moved to Pawtucket’s Oak Hill neighbourhood for more locational work. Additional filming took place in East Providence, Cranston, and Bristol, as confirmed by the Rhode Island Film & TV Office. These communities added variety to the film’s settings, from suburban streets to coastal views.
Trivia: Pawtucket’s Oak Hill area appeared in Moonlight Mile (2002), a drama that used its quiet, small-town feel to tell a story of grief and healing.
New Orleans, Louisiana: A Brief but Vibrant Shoot
According to the Louisiana State Film Office, New Orleans was on the filming schedule for the Ella McCay movie from March 19 to 26, 2025. The picturesque contemporary and historical parts of the city, combined with the culture, must have provided elements of great contemporary and historical beauty and culture to the film, even though the precise spots still remain a mystery.
Trivia: New Orleans has a growing reputation as a filming location. The French Quarter as well as the surrounding plantations served as backdrops for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and 12 Years a Slave (2013).
Cleveland, Ohio: Production Support
Cleveland, Ohio, helped Ella McCay’s production in a supporting role. The Ohio Department of Development gave tax credits for work related to the city, which hints at some behind-the-scenes help. There isn’t much information about the filming, but Cleveland’s growing film industry probably helped out with the project in some way.
Trivia: Cleveland has been a filming hub for blockbusters like The Avengers (2012), where its downtown stood in for New York City and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), showcasing its urban landscapes.
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When Did Ella McCay Film?
The main shoot began in February 2024 and concluded in May 2024. The crew came back to Providence in March 2025 for reshoots after working on post-production for a few months. Then they went to New Orleans to film on location. This longer schedule gave the production team more time to polish scenes and make sure the story fit with James L. Brooks’ vision.
“Ella McCay” Behind The Scenes
Making Ella McCay marked a big comeback for director James L. Brooks, who hadn’t directed a film since 2010’s How Do You Know. I find it exciting that he gathered such a talented cast for this project, blending humour with real-life political and family struggles. Production kicked off in February 2024 in Rhode Island, where the team used historic spots like the State House to bring authenticity to the story. They wrapped principal photography in May but returned for reshoots in March 2025, adding scenes in New Orleans for extra flavour.
Brooks shared in an interview that he set the movie in 2008 to show politics before today’s big divides, saying, “The film is set in 2008, before we had this enormous division.” He aimed to highlight heroism in everyday people, explaining, “In a movie like this, you’ve got to figure out what the heroism is, and chase that. What is it really that makes you a fine person? Is it a character that’s worth supporting for an entire movie? That’s what you aim for.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Ella’s supportive aunt Helen, praised Brooks at CinemaCon while presenting him with a Cinema Verité award. She called him a genius and said, “Not every director can confidently say their work has shaped the way we see, feel and understand storytelling, but Jim Brooks can. Jim’s work has created beloved characters and stories that feel real, true and profoundly personal.”
Curtis added, “Jim is an observer who reflects life back to us with honesty and authenticity — that is the essence of cinema verite.” She also highlighted Emma Mackey’s brilliant performance as the lead, noting how she plays Ella’s biggest cheerleader on screen.
Emma Mackey, stepping into her biggest role yet after Sex Education and Barbie, brings fresh energy to the idealistic politician. There aren’t many quotes from her on set, but the trailer shows how well the cast gets along, with funny parts like Curtis and Mackey yelling at each other when they get mad. Woody Harrelson plays Ella’s estranged father, which adds depth to the family’s relationships.
Brooks said he wanted to make government service appealing again, instead of the negative things we see today.
Ella McCay Official Trailer
Have you visited any of these filming spots, or are you planning to check them out? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights!
FAQs
Q1: When will Ella McCay be released in theaters?
A: The film is scheduled for U.S. theatrical release on December 12, 2025.
Q2: Who stars in Ella McCay?
The cast includes Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Albert Brooks, Ayo Edebiri, and others.
Q3: Where was Ella McCay filmed?
A: Most of the filming took place in Providence, Rhode Island, but some scenes were also shot in Pawtucket, New Orleans, and Cleveland.
Q4: Who directed Ella McCay?
A: James L. Brooks wrote and directed the movie. This was his first time directing in more than ten years.
Q5: Did Ella McCay use real government buildings for filming?
A: Yes, the movie used real places like the Rhode Island State House, RIDOT headquarters, and others.
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