James Norton, known for his role in “House of Guinness,” will portray Brian Epstein, the legendary manager of the Beatles, in Sam Mendes’ highly anticipated four-part biopic. The English actor joins a star-studded cast including Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Harrison Dickinson as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. Epstein is often regarded as the Beatles’ unofficial fifth member due to his pivotal role in guiding the band’s rise to global fame after meeting them in 1961.
Biopic Structure and Supporting Cast Announced
The upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles biopic will consist of four films, each focusing on a different member of the band, all set to premiere in 2028. Although the exact scope of Epstein’s involvement across the series remains unclear, it is expected he will play a significant part throughout the movies. The project also includes Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Anna Sawai portraying Yoko Ono, Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, and Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Ringo Starr’s first wife. Epstein’s own tragic story was recently depicted in the 2023 film “Midas Man,” which detailed his untimely death from a drug overdose at age 32.
James Norton’s Recent Work and Connection to Music Biopics
Norton has been building his reputation through roles in musically themed films, including his recent portrayal of record producer Chris Blackwell in “Bob Marley: One Love.” Besides his film work, Norton’s notable credits also include Netflix’s “House of the Dragon” and the acclaimed series “Happy Valley.” His experience with complex, dramatic roles positions him well for capturing the nuanced character of Brian Epstein in this ambitious series.
Ringo Starr Reacts to the Beatles Four-Part Film
Ringo Starr shared his reaction to the film series, expressing enthusiasm about Mendes undertaking the challenging task of filming all four movies simultaneously.
I’m excited that Mendes has taken the madness of making four movies at the same time,
Starr told PEOPLE.
My life as a lad, John’s life, Paul’s life, George’s life, I mean, it must interact in some way,
he said.
There’ll be Beatles in mine around when I joined, and there’ll be Beatles in Paul’s. We’ll all be there. So I’m excited to see what he does with it.
Director Sam Mendes Comments on the Epic Project
At the announcement of the Beatles project, Mendes reflected on his motivations for directing the series.
I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,
he said. During Sony CinemaCon earlier this year, the “Skyfall” director added,
I had been trying to do a film for years, but I finally gave up,
before continuing,
There had to be a way to tell the epic story for a new generation… I can assure you there is still plenty left to explore, and I think we found a way to do that.
Looking Ahead to the Beatles Biopic Release
The Sam Mendes Beatles biopic promises to deliver an in-depth and expansive portrayal of the band’s history through four interconnected films, highlighting not only the legendary Beatles themselves but also key figures such as Brian Epstein. As excitement builds, further details on casting and plot focus are expected before the four-movie series debuts in 2028. Fans and followers of the Beatles’ legacy will watch closely to see how Mendes captures this iconic story for new generations.
