James Norton, best known for his role in Netflix's House of Guinness, is reportedly being considered to portray the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in Sam Mendes' upcoming four-part film series. The biopic, set for release in April 2028, will feature Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon.
Each film will focus on one of the four band members, but given Epstein's pivotal role in shaping the group's music and image, Norton is expected to appear in all instalments. Epstein first encountered the Beatles at Liverpool's Cavern Club in 1961 and, despite having no management experience, signed them and later secured a contract with EMI's Parlophone label. He died tragically in 1967 at age 32 from an accidental overdose.
Norton first gained recognition for his role as Tommy Lee Royce in the BBC crime drama Happy Valley. He currently appears as Sean Rafferty in House of Guinness and is filming the third series of House of the Dragon as Ormund Hightower. He also starred in ITV's Playing Nice and BBC's King and Conqueror this year.
Mendes is directing the quartet from scripts by Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne. It remains unclear whether all four films will premiere on the same day or be staggered throughout April 2028. Casting for the band members' partners is also underway, with Saoirse Ronan confirmed as Linda McCartney and Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey.
