Irish actress Saoirse Ronan has been cast to portray Linda McCartney in the upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles Biopic titled The Beatles – A Four Film Cinematic Event. The ensemble project, scheduled for release in spring 2028, will chronicle the lives of each Beatles member, with Ronan starring in the installment focused on Paul McCartney. While Sony Pictures, the film’s distributor, has not yet confirmed the news, multiple sources have reported this casting development.
Details of the Ensemble Cast and Creative Team
Ronan, known for her acclaimed roles in Ladybird and Little Women, will play Linda McCartney, the late first wife of Paul McCartney. Paul’s character will be portrayed by actor Paul Mescal. The ensemble also features Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. Scripts are penned by renowned writers Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne, signaling a strong creative team behind the ambitious project.
Ronan’s Recent Work and Career Highlights
The 31-year-old actress has received four Academy Award nominations over her career. Most recently, she appeared in the addiction-focused drama The Outrun and starred in the dark comedy Bad Apples, which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival last month. Her casting as Linda McCartney aligns with her reputation for portraying complex, nuanced characters.
Linda McCartney’s Life and Role Within The Beatles Story
Linda McCartney met Paul McCartney in 1967, becoming his wife until her death from cancer in 1998. Apart from her role as a spouse to a Beatle, she was a photographer, musician, and animal rights activist. She co-founded a vegetarian food company and also performed with Paul in his post-Beatles band, Wings. Her influence and partnership with Paul McCartney remain an integral part of Beatles history, which the film aims to explore in depth.
Significance of the Beatles – A Four Film Cinematic Event
This series marks the first occasion that The Beatles and Apple Corps Ltd. have officially approved scripted films using the band members’ life stories and music. It represents a milestone for fans and cinema alike in portraying the iconic group’s legacy. While much remains under wraps, the project’s scale and the involvement of high-profile talent indicate a significant cultural event. Rumors about additional casting, such as the suggestion that Anna Sawai would play Yoko Ono, have been denied by the actress herself. She commented,
I think a rumor is just a rumor,
and added,
still trying to figure out what I want to do, so I’m reading a lot of scripts.
– Anna Sawai, Actress.
