First Look at The Beatles Movie Cast Sparks Debate Online

Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan, and Harris Dickinson take on the roles of the legendary bandmates.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:07am

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The first images of the cast for the upcoming four-part Beatles biopic have been released, and fans are divided on how well the actors have captured the likenesses of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. While Paul Mescal's resemblance to McCartney has been widely praised, the portrayals of the other members have sparked more debate online.

Why it matters

The Beatles remain one of the most iconic and recognizable musical acts of all time, so the casting of their likenesses in a major biopic is sure to be heavily scrutinized by devoted fans. The success of these portrayals could make or break the films' ability to authentically capture the essence of the Fab Four.

The details

The cast includes Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. While Mescal's resemblance to a young McCartney has been widely praised, the other castings have sparked more debate. Keoghan's shaggy hairstyle as Starr has divided opinions, Dickinson's Lennon is seen by some as veering too close to Liam Gallagher, and Quinn's Harrison has left many unconvinced.

  • The first images of the cast were released on January 30, 2026.

The players

Paul Mescal

An Irish actor cast to play Paul McCartney in the upcoming Beatles biopic films.

Joseph Quinn

A British actor cast to play George Harrison in the upcoming Beatles biopic films.

Barry Keoghan

An Irish actor cast to play Ringo Starr in the upcoming Beatles biopic films.

Harris Dickinson

A British actor cast to play John Lennon in the upcoming Beatles biopic films.

Sam Mendes

The director of the four upcoming Beatles biopic films.

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What’s next

The four Beatles biopic films are scheduled to be released globally on April 7, 2028.

The takeaway

Capturing the likenesses of the iconic Beatles members is a tall order, and the initial reactions to the cast's portrayals have been mixed. However, the true test will be whether the actors can embody the individual essences and stories of the Fab Four when the films are released in 2028.