The housing crisis is hitting a single mother of two hard in Phyllida Lloyd’s “Herself.” A new trailer for the drama sees Sandra (Clare Dunne) struggling to get her daughters to school on time since they don’t have a place nearby, fruitlessly waiting in line to talk to her political representative, and worrying that her housing situation will cost her in a custody battle with her abusive ex. Discovering that it takes “very, very few skills to be involved with a team that’ll build a house,” Sandra decides to build a home on her own.

Well, not quite on her own. A gruff contractor (Conleth Hill) will help her with the construction, and her mother (Harriet Walter) will provide the location. “It’s land, Sandra, going to waste,” her mom tells her, “use it.” And with that, Sandra decides to create a home for herself and her daughters “at the bottom of the garden.”

While other friends and family join Sandra’s project, she’s the one who officially breaks ground on her new house. “We’ll let herself do the honors,” the contractor says in the spot, handing her a pickaxe.

Dunne wrote “Herself” with Malcolm Campbell. It marks the stage actress’ first leading role in a feature. She previously worked with Lloyd when the latter directed an all-women production of “Henry IV.” Dunne’s other stage credits include “The Playboy of the Western World” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“Mamma Mia!” and “The Iron Lady” are among Lloyd’s other directing credits. She’s also helmed stage productions “Tina,” “Julius Caesar,” and “The Tempest.”

Produced by Sharon Horgan, “Herself” screened at Sundance this year and will make its U.K. premiere at BFI London Film Festival on October 8. The film opens in U.K. and Irish theaters October 16. No word on a U.S. release date yet, but the pic has been acquired by Amazon Studios.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxzj67VXeKY