Sex Education’s Emma Mackey reveals her “bananas” scenes with Hollywood legend and “magical” Simpsons icon in new political film

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Since the final season of Sex Education finished in 2023, Emma Mackey has been taking on a diverse range of acting roles.

The award-winning actor, known for being a BAFTA Rising Star, has had a busy year appearing in three diverse new films. They’ve also landed leading roles in two highly anticipated projects: the upcoming Narnia adaptation directed by Greta Gerwig and an original fantasy film from JJ Abrams.

After appearing in the mysterious film Hot Milk with Fiona Shaw and Vicky Krieps, and a smaller role in Julia Ducournau’s horror film Alpha, she now stars as the lead in the political comedy-drama Ella McCay—a film whose title closely mirrors the main character’s name.

This movie marks a return for acclaimed writer-director James L. Brooks after a 15-year hiatus. It stars Regina King as a rising political star who unexpectedly becomes governor, all while navigating personal challenges.

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I really admired her, almost put her on a pedestal. She’s a true idealist – someone who consistently fights for what she believes in, and there’s something admirable and genuine about that.

Mackey also pointed out that Ella isn’t perfect and has some quirks, and that she sometimes repeats old habits she should have broken by now. However, he believes she’s ultimately doing her best to figure things out in life.

She’s incredibly driven and wants to make a real difference in the world. She’s motivated by things beyond her own personal interests, and that’s a wonderful way to live.

The key was to connect with her inner strength and her professional life, recognizing her background and the dedication it took to achieve her goals. It was also important to embrace her imperfections, finding humor and lightness even during the many moments of sadness and loss she experienced.

There’s this really powerful scene in the movie – I’ve seen a glimpse in the trailer – where my character, Ella, is dealing with some intense sadness. She just completely lets loose and screams with her Aunt Helen, who’s played by the amazing Jamie Lee Curtis! It looks like such a release, and honestly, it was so much fun to film that wild scene with a legend like Jamie Lee. It was a truly unforgettable moment.

She laughed, saying it was a fantastic addition. It hadn’t been part of the original plan or written into the script; it was something they came up with later, and it just felt natural. It felt like the scene needed that moment of levity—a chance for release.

Throughout the film, she takes on so much emotional weight, and I was really interested in how she’d process it all. It was a really freeing experience to watch her release that tension, and it felt like it resolved a lot of the negativity she faced. Plus, working with Jamie was fantastic – they’re naturally gifted at portraying those kinds of emotional releases.

Curtis is part of a fantastic supporting cast in the film, alongside well-known actors like Jack Lowden from ‘Slow Horses’ and Ayo Edeberi from ‘The Bear’. The cast also features stars such as Woody Harrelson, Albert Brooks, and Kumail Nanjiani.

Mackey especially enjoyed working with Julie Kavner, who played Ella’s secretary and narrated the film. While Kavner is famous as the voice of Marge Simpson – a role she’s held for over 35 years – she doesn’t often appear on screen.

Honestly, I’m a huge fan of hers, and I was thrilled when her name came up. She’s just magnetic – incredibly charismatic and hilarious. But beyond that, she has this amazing ability to really see you, you know? It’s one of those experiences where you feel completely understood, like she’s looking right into your soul. It’s pretty special.

She was truly remarkable – incredibly intelligent, quick-witted, and a delight to be around. And her voice was something special, almost magical!

Ella McCay is now showing in UK cinemas.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about film for TopMob, covering new releases in theaters and on streaming services. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time has interviewed many famous actors and reviewed all kinds of movies.

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2025-12-13 22:05