English actor James Norton has been tapped to portray Brian Epstein, the legendary manager who helped shape the Beatles’ rise to global fame, in director Sam Mendes’ upcoming four-part musical biopic.

The project, officially titled ‘The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event,’ takes a unique approach by telling the band’s story through four separate films—each from the perspective of a different member.

Norton will join a star-studded cast that includes Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harrison Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.

After meeting the group in 1961, Epstein played a crucial role in transforming them from a Liverpool act into an international sensation. He remained their manager until his untimely death in 1967 at age 32 from a drug overdose.

Mendes’ ambitious plan will see each film released simultaneously in April 2028, with the narratives overlapping to depict the band’s extraordinary journey from their early days to their cultural dominance and eventual breakup in 1970. Given Epstein’s central role, he’s expected to appear across all four installments.

Several other key figures from the Beatles’ lives are set to appear as well. Saoirse Ronan will portray Linda McCartney, Anna Sawai (‘Shogun’) is playing Yoko Ono, Aimee Lou Wood (‘The White Lotus’) is in talks to star as Pattie Boyd (George Harrison’s wife), and Mia McKenna-Bruce will play Maureen Starkey, Ringo’s first wife.

Norton’s work includes ‘Bob Marley: One Love,’ ‘House of Guinness,’ ‘Happy Valley,’ and season three of ‘House of the Dragon.’

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