Barry Keoghan Debuts Beatles Haircut Ahead of Ringo Starr Role

Barry Keoghan showcased a new hairstyle inspired by The Beatles at the London premiere of his latest film, Crime 101, on January 28, 2024. The actor is set to portray Ringo Starr in an ambitious four-film biopic series directed by Sam Mendes, which is scheduled for simultaneous release in April 2028.

The film series will feature an ensemble cast, with Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn taking on the role of George Harrison, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. Keoghan’s haircut—reminiscent of the band’s iconic “mop top”—offers a first glimpse of his transformation into the legendary drummer.

During a recent interview, Keoghan revealed that he had met Ringo Starr prior to taking on the role. He admitted to feeling nervous during their first encounter, describing his difficulty in looking directly at the former Beatle.

Production on the films is currently underway. Mescal confirmed to Variety that they are still in the early stages, stating, “We’re a while away from finishing. That’s my job for all of 2026.” He also emphasized the importance of keeping details about the films under wraps, saying, “I think the world hopefully will benefit from knowing as little as possible going into it.”

In a separate interview, Mescal mentioned that he would be performing his own singing for the role, adding to the authenticity of the portrayal.

Meanwhile, actress Mia McKenna-Bruce, who will play Starr’s wife, Maureen Starkey, acknowledged her unfamiliarity with The Beatles’ music prior to her casting. She shared with Tatler, “We sang ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’ at school, but it wasn’t my jam.”

The real Ringo Starr has also engaged with the film’s development. In a conversation with The New York Times, he mentioned providing “extensive notes” on the script. He expressed concerns that the portrayal did not accurately reflect his and Maureen’s lives, stating, “[Mendes] had a writer—a very good writer, great reputation—and he wrote it great, but it had nothing to do with Maureen and I. That’s not how we were. I’d say, ‘We would never do that.’”

As anticipation builds for this extensive biopic series, fans of The Beatles and new audiences alike are eager to see how these actors will bring the iconic band’s legacy to life on screen. The simultaneous release of all four films promises to be a significant cultural event in 2028.