Mia McKenna-Bruce Makes Startling Admission About The Beatles As She Shoots Biopics

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Mia McKenna-Bruce faced a challenge when she was cast as Maureen Starkey in The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event. This four-part biopic, set to release on April 7, 2028, will tell the story of The Beatles’ lives and incredible success. The film stars Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. However, in an interview with Tatler magazine, McKenna-Bruce surprisingly revealed how little she initially knew about the band.

I remember singing ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’ at school, but I wasn’t really into The Beatles back then. On the set of ‘The Seven Dials Mystery,’ Martin Freeman quizzed me on Beatles trivia – and I blanked! He’d ask about Mick Jagger’s band, and I’d just say I had no clue, which frustrated him. But now, I realize The Beatles are actually brilliant! I genuinely enjoy listening to their music, like when I’m commuting on the train.

The actress playing Maureen Starr, who was married to Beatles drummer Ringo Starr from 1965 to 1975, is expected to be a key figure in the upcoming film. She hasn’t yet met Starr, but has been told that he still lights up when he speaks about Maureen. She feels it’s important to portray Maureen as a relatable and kind person, as she provided a stabilizing force for Ringo during the turbulent years with The Beatles.

Barry Keoghan ‘Couldn’t Look’ at Ringo Starr When They Met


Sony Pictures Entertainment

While actors Dickinson and Quinn sadly passed away before the films were made, Mescal and Keoghan had the chance to meet the real people they portrayed while preparing for the movies. Mendes recently shared that meeting the real-life Starr was a surprisingly intense experience for him, as he discussed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last year.

I recently visited Ringo at his home, and he played the drums for me. He encouraged me to play too, but I wasn’t drumming for him – I was actually studying him. I found it hard to make eye contact at first because I was so nervous, but he told me it was okay to look. It’s amazing playing with someone like Ringo Starr, and my focus was on really observing him, learning his mannerisms, and trying to capture the feeling of his personality, not just copy his actions.

I was so excited when this project was announced, and hearing what actor Cole Dickinson had to say really highlighted how special it is. He pointed out that Sam Mendes, the director of American Beauty, has an incredible talent for bringing people together. Apparently, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon, and Olivia Harrison all immediately jumped on board as soon as they spoke with him – that really speaks to his vision and how much they believe in it!

Our goal is to create a truly unforgettable and grand movie experience. We plan to tell the story of the world’s most famous band – The Beatles – through four films, each showing events from a different point of view. We’re incredibly honored to have the support of The Beatles and Apple Corps. From the very beginning, Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler at Sony Pictures understood our vision and enthusiasm for this project, and we believe Sony is the ideal partner to bring it to life.

Unfortunately, the upcoming Beatles film has hired cinematographer Greig Fraser, so he won’t be working on The Batman: Part II, meaning the sequel will have a different visual style.

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2026-01-05 14:53