Oscar-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan has been cast in the pivotal role of Linda McCartney for Sam Mendes’ ambitious, multi-part cinematic exploration of The Beatles, titled "The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event." This casting decision signals a commitment to deeply personal character studies within the project, which is slated for a theatrical release in April 2028. The series will be the first scripted film endeavor of this scale to secure the life story and music rights for the iconic band.
Ronan joins an already distinguished ensemble for the monumental undertaking. Paul Mescal is set to portray Paul McCartney, while Harris Dickinson steps into the role of John Lennon. The full principal cast also includes Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. The structure of the project is unique: four distinct films, each dedicated to charting the individual trajectory of one band member, allowing for an elevated examination of the separate forces that formed the legendary group.
Production for the series is scheduled to commence in November 2025. The narrative involving Linda McCartney is expected to explore her significant contributions as both a photographer—notably being the first female photographer to land a Rolling Stone cover—and a musician in her own right with the band Wings, a perspective often overshadowed by her marriage to Paul in March 1969. Linda McCartney passed away from breast cancer in April 1998.
Director Sam Mendes, known for his meticulous approach, is reportedly leveraging advanced cinematic techniques to capture the atmosphere of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The four interconnected films are intended to offer a multifaceted look at the band's evolution, with Mendes describing the tandem releases as the "first binge-able theatrical experience." While Ronan is expected to feature prominently in the installment centered on Paul McCartney, her appearance in the other three films remains undetermined.