The first trailer for Tim Key's new British comedy The Ballad of Wallis Island has been unveiled.
The upcoming film stars the comedian and former Taskmaster contestant as eccentric lottery winner Charles, who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favourite musicians, McGwyer-Mortimer (Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan), back together.
His dream soon turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island.
However, old tensions between the pair quickly resurface, leaving Charles to desperately try and salvage his dream gig.
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In the trailer, Basden's Herb McGwyer arrives on the island by boat, though it's not quite exactly what he was expecting.
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"Where will the audience be?" he asks Charles as he's shown the gig's venue: a remote, pebble beach. "You said there would be a hundred."
"I said less than a hundred," Charles replies, before admitting that the audience will only consist of himself.
Things go from bad to worse for McGwyer when his ex-partner and bandmate, Nell Mortimer, unexpectedly shows up with her new husband.
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Despite initial tensions between the pair, they seem to rekindle their connection as they start playing music together again. Will Charles' concert bring them and the band back together for good?
The Ballad of Wallis Island is directed by James Griffiths, from a screenplay written by Key and Basden.
The film will have its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this month, before arriving in US cinemas on March 28. There is no UK release date yet.
Other films premiering at Sundance include Olivia Colman and John Lithgow's queer drama Jimpa, Benedict Cumberbatch's upcoming thriller The Thing with Feathers, and Train Dreams, starring Felicity Jones, Joel Edgerton and Kerry Condon.
The Ballad of Wallis Island arrives in US cinemas on March 28, with a UK release date TBC.
Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
