Suffolk Hall Hosts Outrageous Dark Comedy

A new film, "Lady," an outrageous dark comedy set in a Suffolk stately home, has been filmed at Somerleyton Hall near Lowestoft. The mockumentary-style movie tells the story of a woman who becomes obsessed with attention, persuading a filmmaker to document her life, leading to strange turns. The film was shot entirely on the 5,000-acre Somerleyton estate over three weeks, with the Hall itself becoming almost a character in the narrative.

Lady Lara Somerleyton, the estate's owner, described hosting the cast and crew as a privilege and enjoyed witnessing the creative process. She agreed to the filming after learning about the premise and that Sian Clifford, known for "Fleabag," would star. A part was even written for the family's pet raven, with the fictional estate named Ravenside Hall. The film, released nationally this week, has drawn comparisons to "Saltburn" for its exploration of dark themes, though Somerleyton herself notes the fictional character is 'a total narcissist' and not based on her.

Somerleyton Hall has a history of being used for filming, notably doubling as Sandringham Estate in the Netflix series "The Crown." The estate will host a special outdoor screening of "Lady" in September. Critics have already lauded the film as "outrageous" and uniquely humorous.