AceShowbiz - The BBC is developing a new television drama titled Hamburg Days, which chronicles the early years of The Beatles during their formative nightclub performances in 1960s Germany. The series has officially cast the actors who will portray the iconic Fab Four and their close associates during this pivotal era.

Rhys Mannion has been selected to embody John Lennon, while Ellis Murphy will take on the role of Paul McCartney. The role of George Harrison will be played by newcomer Harvey Brett, and Louis Landau will portray Stu Sutcliffe, the original bassist and drummer of the band before leaving prior to the arrival of Ringo Starr on drums.

In addition to the Fab Four, the cast includes Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best, the Beatles’ original drummer, alongside Luna Jordan playing Astrid Kirchherr, the influential photographer linked to the band. Other notable cast members are Casper von Bulow as Klaus Voorman, who was a key figure in the Beatles’ Hamburg days, and Laura Tonke as Nielsa Kirchherr. The ensemble is rounded out with Trystan Pütter and Max von der Groeben in supporting roles.

The six-part drama, produced by W&B Television and Turbine Studios, is inspired by the autobiography of Klaus Voorman and is helmed by showrunner Christian Schwochow. Jamie Carragher, known for his work on Succession, serves as the head writer. The story is set against the backdrop of Hamburg’s red-light district, focusing on the smoky clubs where the young Liverpool musicians mingled with artists like Voorman and Kirchherr.

Currently filming in Hamburg, Munich, and Liverpool, the production is backed financially by AGC Television along with a German broadcaster. Executive producers include Benjamin Benedict, Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann, Andrew Eaton, Justin Thomson, Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz, and Miguel A. Palos Jr., while Isabel Haug and Katharina Haase are overseeing production duties. AGC International is managing worldwide sales outside the U.K. and Germany.

This new series arrives as Sony is concurrently producing a four-film Beatles saga directed by Sam Mendes, with each movie focusing on a different member of the legendary band. The theatrical cast for that project includes Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.

The Beatles famously broke up in 1970 after dominating the music scene for over a decade, becoming history’s bestselling music act with approximately 600 million units sold globally. Tragically, Lennon was shot and killed outside his New York City apartment in December 1980.

Hamburg Days aims to capture the raw energy and formative experiences of the band during their time in Germany before their worldwide fame. The series promises an intimate look at the friendships, struggles, and artistic collaborations that shaped their legendary career.