New BBC Beatles Drama Set to Explore the Band’s Early Years
The BBC has confirmed casting for its upcoming drama series, Hamburg Days, which will explore the early years of The Beatles. This six-part series is set to delve into the formative experiences of the iconic band as they honed their craft in 1960s Hamburg. Inspired by the autobiography of German artist Klaus Voormann, the show will highlight the band’s transformation from a raw group of teenagers into one of the most influential music acts in history.
Cast Revealed for the Upcoming Series
The cast includes Rhys Mannion, who will portray John Lennon, and Ellis Murphy as Sir Paul McCartney. Harvey Brett will play George Harrison, while Louis Landau takes on the role of Stu Sutcliffe. Patrick Gilmore joins the cast as Pete Best, the original drummer and bassist of The Beatles before Ringo Starr joined in 1962.
Klaus Voormann himself will be portrayed by Casper von Bülow, and Luna Jordan and Laura Tonke will play Astrid and Nielsa Kirchherr, two key figures in the band’s early development. The series will focus on the interactions between The Beatles and these artists, showcasing how they helped shape the band’s identity.
Behind the Scenes: A Star-Studded Team
The production of Hamburg Days features a talented team of industry professionals. The series is being developed by Benjamin Benedict, known for Generation War, and written by Jamie Carragher, who also worked on Succession. Christian Schwochow, director of The Crown, will lead the project alongside Laura Lackmann, who directed Call My Agent Berlin.
David Holmes, a BAFTA-winning producer known for his work on Killing Eve and the Ocean’s franchise, has been brought on board to curate the music for the series. Sue Deeks, Head of Scripted Pre-buy Acquisitions at the BBC, has expressed excitement about the project, promising an “amazing soundtrack” that will complement the storytelling.
A Four-Film Cinematic Event
In addition to Hamburg Days, another major project centered around The Beatles is in the works. The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event is set to debut in 2028 after its announcement in April 2025. The films are being created by a team including Sam Mendes, Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, Jack Thorne, Tom Rothman, and Elizabeth Gabler.
Each film will focus on a different member of the band: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and John Lennon. Barry Keoghan will play Ringo Starr, Joseph Quinn will take on the role of George Harrison, Harris Dickinson will portray John Lennon, and Paul Mescal will star as Paul McCartney.
Casting for the Band’s Wives
The project has also revealed the actresses set to play the wives of The Beatles members. Aimee Lou Wood will portray George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd, while Saoirse Ronan will play Linda McCartney. Anna Sawai will appear as John Lennon’s wife, Yoko Ono, and Mia McKenna-Bruce will take on the role of Maureen Cox, the wife of Ringo Starr.
This cinematic event promises to offer a fresh perspective on the lives of The Beatles and their personal relationships, providing fans with a deeper understanding of the band’s legacy.
