Mia McKenna-Bruce, who is set to star in the upcoming Beatles biopics, has revealed she was not a fan of the band when she took the job.
In October, the BAFTA rising Star-winning actor, best known for her lead role in the acclaimed indie drama how To Have Sex, was revealed to be playing Maureen Starkey, the wife of Ringo Starr, in the films.
In a new interview with Tatler (via the independent), she confided that her knowledge of the Fab Four was severely limited at the time that she accepted the role.
“we sang ‘Eleanor Rigby’ adn ‘Yellow submarine’ at school, but it wasn’t my jam,” the 28-year-old said, before revealing that it was while she was on set with martin Freeman for the upcoming Netflix series Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials that she was introduced to them more extensively.
“On Seven Dials Martin Freeman was asking me to name all The Beatles – I didn’t know. Then he’d ask me, ‘what band was Mick Jagger in?’ I was like, ‘I have no idea, Martin’. Now I’m like, oh my god, The Beatles are underrated. This is good. It’s music I’d sit and listen to on the train,” she said.
Sam Mendes (1917, Skyfall, American Beauty) is directing the four separate films, with each one set to focus on a different member of the band.The Beatles – A four-Film Cinematic Event is currently slated for an April 2028 release.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon and Paul Mescal
Jessie Buckley to Play Maureen Starkey in Upcoming Beatles Biopic
Jessie Buckley, known for her roles in Lady Bird and Brooklyn, has been cast as Maureen Starkey, the first wife of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, in the highly anticipated upcoming biopic series about the band.
The films are assembling a stellar cast to portray the key figures surrounding the Beatles. Saoirse Ronan will play Linda McCartney, Aimee Lou Wood will portray George Harrison’s partner Pattie Boyd, and Anna Sawai will take on the role of Yoko Ono.
Other confirmed cast members include David Morrissey as Paul McCartney’s father Jim, Leanne Best (niece of the Beatles’ original drummer Pete Best) as John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi, and James Norton as Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox met in 1962 when Maureen was 16 years old and working as a hairdresser.They married in 1965 and divorced in 1975. Maureen Starkey passed away in 1994.
Barry Keoghan, who will portray Ringo Starr, previously discussed his experience meeting the drummer in readiness for the role. He described feeling incredibly nervous during the encounter, stating, “When I was talking to him, I couldn’t look at him… He’s like, ‘You can look at me.'” Keoghan emphasized his intention to “humanise” starr and capture his mannerisms authentically,rather than simply imitating him.
Sources:
* NME: Jessie Buckley to play Maureen Starkey in Beatles biopic
* NME: Beatles Biopic Casting News
* NME: David Morrissey, Leanne Best, Bobby Schofield join cast
* NME: Barry Keoghan on meeting Ringo Starr
Keep reading