Disney’s Ella McCay Asks an Important Question in New Clip Ahead of Streaming Debut (Exclusive)

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TV dramas and comedies have evolved significantly lately, but Disney aimed for a nostalgic feel with . The show reunited them with acclaimed director James L. Brooks, marking his return to directing after a 15-year hiatus.

The show Ella McCay is a funny and dramatic series about Ella, played by Emma Mackey, who’s unexpectedly on track to become governor. This happens after the person who was training her takes a job with the president. Ella is driven and wants to make a difference, but balancing her political goals with her complicated family is a struggle.

The removed scene reveals Ella’s college years, where her high school boyfriend, Ryan, proposes to her while she’s a junior. This puts her in a difficult spot, because she wasn’t planning on getting married so young and it clashes with her goals.

Ella was focused on her studies, not marriage, but Ryan wanted to change that and asked her to skip class. This came as a complete surprise to her, and Ryan playfully insisted that if she prioritized school, they both would miss out. Ultimately, she had a big decision to make. Now, as a married woman to Ryan, Ella has successfully balanced her career goals with her personal life.

Following a disappointing response to his 2007 film starring Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd, director James L. Brooks returned with a new political comedy. The cast features a strong ensemble including Emma Mackey (known for Sex Education and Barbie), Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween), Kumail Nanjiani (Eternals), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Spike Fearn (Alien: Romulus), Julie Kavner and Albert Brooks (The Simpsons), Rebecca Hall (Godzilla vs. Kong), and Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games).

Even with a famous cast and an award-winning director, the movie was a major flop. Made with a $35 million budget, it only earned $4.56 million at the box office. Critics didn’t like it either, giving it a very low 23% rating, and audiences weren’t much more impressed with a 57% score.

Despite not having a wide theatrical release, Ella McCay could gain a dedicated following thanks to streaming. It will first become available to rent or buy digitally on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home on January 27th. After that, U.S. viewers with Hulu or Disney+ bundles will be able to stream it, and international audiences can watch it on Disney+ starting February 5th. A Blu-ray version will also be released on March 3rd.

Ella McCay’s Digital Release Comes With Extra Footage

The upcoming digital and Blu-ray releases will come with bonus features, as expected.

Deleted Scenes:

  • You Win, We Lose
  • Forget About The Union Rep
  • I Love Girl
  • No More Interruptions
  • Make Your Family Whole
  • A Small Concussion
  • Hazel Bottomless
  • You Got Him Out
  • Nice Family
  • Bloopers

Featurettes:

  • A James L. Brooks Film: Go behind the scenes as the film’s star-studded cast and crew share their joy of working with acclaimed writer-director James L. Brooks. Experience Brooks’ singular gift for creating beloved, memorable movie moments — and what it’s like to hear him laugh.
  • In Good Company: The Cast of Ella McCay: Sit down with James L. Brooks as he talks about his extraordinary cast and as the actors share their respect and appreciation for Brooks — and each other. Hear about the casting process that created heartfelt chemistry both on set and onscreen.

Ella McCay will be released digitally on January 27th, and will then be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ starting February 5th.

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2026-01-26 20:11