In a surprising revelation, the actress set to portray Sir Ringo Starr's first wife in the upcoming series of Beatles biopics has confessed she knew almost nothing about the legendary band before landing the role.
A Surprising Admission
Mia McKenna-Bruce, 28, who will play Maureen Starkey across four separate films dedicated to each member of The Beatles, told Tatler magazine that her knowledge of the Fab Four was minimal. The BAFTA-winning actress admitted that while she sang classics like 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'Yellow Submarine' at school, the music "wasn't my jam."
Her lack of Beatles lore was highlighted during filming for an Agatha Christie adaptation with co-star Martin Freeman. "[He] was asking me to name all the Beatles. I didn't know," McKenna-Bruce said. "Then, he'd ask, 'What band was Mick Jagger in?' I was like, 'I have no idea'."
From Unknown to Admirer
Since immersing herself in the project, the actress's perspective has transformed dramatically. "Yet now, I'm like, 'Oh, my God, the Beatles are underrated.' It's music I'd sit and listen to on the train," she revealed.
The highly anticipated films, slated for release in 2028, feature an all-star cast:
- Paul Mescal as Sir Paul McCartney
- Harris Dickinson as John Lennon
- Joseph Quinn as George Harrison
- Barry Keoghan as Sir Ringo Starr
McKenna-Bruce's character, Maureen, married Ringo Starr in 1965. The couple had three children before divorcing a decade later. Starr remained close to his first wife, sitting by her bedside when she died from leukaemia in 1994.
"I haven't met Ringo," the actress added, "but apparently, to this day, when he talks about Maureen he gets this brightness behind his eyes."
Beyond the Biopic: A Bold On-Screen Partnership
In another major role this year, McKenna-Bruce stars opposite Matt Damon in 'The Fence', a film adaptation of a 1979 play set in West Africa. She plays Leonie, the young wife of Damon's character, an American foreman. The film tackles themes of masculinity, race, and social division.
Despite playing spouses, there is a 33-year age gap between the two actors. McKenna-Bruce, who is a mother-of-one, said she was initially uncertain about the pairing, given Damon is the same age as her parents.
"It was a bold choice, but mentally we were in the same place," she explained. "He said, 'Tell me if you ever feel an age gap,' but I never felt that shift." She also praised Damon's humility, noting her surprise at his enduring heartthrob status after witnessing screaming fans at a premiere.
The full interview with Mia McKenna-Bruce is available in the February issue of Tatler, on newsstands and via digital download from Thursday, January 8.
