The first frames hit like a bolt of theatrical lightning. Callum Scott Howells glides across Plas Newydd in silk and sequins, every gesture a deliberate rebuke to the stiff collars of Victorian North Wales. Madfabulous, released nationwide on 5 June 2026, reminds us why audiences still crave period pieces that trust character and historical texture over contemporary ideological overlays.
Directed by Celyn Jones, the film draws from the real life of Henry Cyril Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey. Howells inhabits the role with visible delight. The supporting cast lends weight and contrast: Rupert Everett as Gelert, Ruby Stokes as Lily, Paul Rhys as Lord Penrhyn, Siobhán McSweeney as Blanche, Louis Hynes as Neville and Louise Brealey as Lady Chetwynd. Their interplay anchors a story set in the 1890s that follows inheritance, extravagance and defiance of rigid social codes.
Filming took place entirely across North Wales, Anglesey and Caernarfon, with principal photography beginning in August 2024. That local grounding shows. The production's attention to fabric, architecture and landscape feels lived-in rather than dressed. No digital gloss smooths away the texture of candlelight on wallpaper or the creak of floorboards under impatient feet. This is craftsmanship that respects its material.
A performance that refuses easy labels
Howells appeared on BBC's The One Show to discuss the preparation involved. His comments in earlier interviews capture the nuance he brought to the part.
It was a genuine honour to portray an eccentric 19th century Welsh aristocrat who was ahead of his time.
He compared the marquess to a cross between David Bowie and Marc Bolan, noting the gender-fluid quality and later influence. Yet he resisted imposing contemporary certainties.
It was never confirmed he was gay, because his diaries were destroyed and, of course, homosexuality was illegal. That's what made this role so thrilling for me and I didn't want to impose a sexuality on him.
The restraint matters. By refusing to turn the historical figure into a straightforward avatar, the film lets audiences discover the man for themselves. Howells urged viewers to do exactly that.
