A bit about each of the actresses cast to play The Beatles’ significant others in Sam Mendes’ massive music biopic project
Sam Mendes, the director of the four separate biopics – one on each of The Beatles, has announced the four actresses who will be portraying the band members’ wives and significant others. Cream highlights each actors’ career thus far.
Mia McKenna Bruce → Maureen Cox Starkey
BAFTA Rising Star winner Mia McKenna-Bruce has been cast to portray Maureen Cox, later to marry drummer Ringo Starr so as to become Maureen Starkey. Maureen Cox was originally a Beatles fan from Liverpool and met Ringo at the Cavern Club in 1962, marrying him in 1965. Mia has appeared in several films and TV series including How to Have Sex and series include Get Even, Vampire Academy, and The Dumping Ground.
Saoirse Ronan → Linda Eastman McCartney
Multiple-Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan has been cast to play Linda Eastman, who became Linda McCartney after being married to Paul McCartney. Linda Eastman was a respected photographer when she met Paul McCartney in 1967, and they married in 1969. She later joined his band Wings and was a creative partner in many ways. Saoirse Ronan has featured in a variety of films, including acclaimed dramas like Lady Bird and Little Women, and period pieces such as Atonement and Brooklyn. Some of her other notable roles include The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Lovely Bones, Ammonite, and Mary Queen of Scots. Saoirse Ronan was also once contracted as house ambassador for Louis Vuitton.
Anna Sawai → Yoko Ono
Anna Sawai (of Shōgun fame) has been confirmed to play the pivotal part of Yoko Ono, the artist and musician who later married John Lennon. Yoko and John met in 1966, and married in 1969. A musical performer and visual artist in her own right, Yoko remained a central figure in John’s life until his death in 1980. Portraying Yoko Ono poses particular narratorial and cultural challenges given her contested place in Beatles history, so her role in the films could be especially interesting. Anna Sawai was also recently contracted to be brand ambassador for Cartier.
Aimee Lou Wood → Pattie Boyd
Aimee Lou Wood (who has appeared in Sex Education and The White Lotus) will play Pattie Boyd, a model who married George Harrison in the 1960s. Pattie Boyd met George on the set of the Beatles’ film A Hard Day’s Night (1964) and they married in 1966. Her story intersects with the Beatles’ spirituality, music, and the wider ’60s scene. Of interesting note, Boyd later became linked to Eric Clapton (his song Layla was inspired by her), though it’s unclear how much the films will dive into the post-Beatles elements.
Said director Mendes following the casting announcement: “Maureen, Linda, Yoko and Pattie are four fascinating and unique figures in their own right – and I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to persuade four of the most talented women working in film today to join this amazing adventure.”
The extensive film project will consist of four movies, each from the perspective of a different Beatle, but the stories will “intersect” to tell the larger band saga, and this will be the first time in a scripted feature-film form that the Beatles’ music and life-rights have been fully licensed for biographic portrayal.
The Beatles’ biopics are slated for release April 2028.
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