Beatlemania is about to hit the big screen again — but this time, the story isn’t about who was on stage. It’s about the man who made it all happen behind the scenes. English actor James Norton (Happy Valley, House of Guinness) has been cast to play Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ brilliant but closeted gay manager, in an ambitious new film project from Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes.
This isn’t just another Beatles biopic. Mendes is planning what he calls a “Four-Film Cinematic Event” — four separate yet interconnected movies, each focusing on a member of the Fab Four: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The films will mark the first time the Beatles’ full life stories and music are being officially used in scripted features, with the blessing of surviving members and their families.
@oldschoolmaniaa 58 years ago today, brian epstein passed away. i’ve never seen john look lost, it makes me want to sob. #brianepstein #beatles #thebeatles #johnlennon #georgeharrison
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Epstein’s story, however, adds a new emotional chord to the familiar rhythm. Long dubbed “the Fifth Beatle” (along with their produce George Martin),he discovered the band in Liverpool in 1961, transformed their image from scruffy rockers to polished pop icons, and catapulted them into global superstardom. But behind the fame and charm was a man living a quiet, painful duality.
Officially welcoming James Norton into the “Cool Guys Don’t Look At Explosions” Club. #HouseOfGuinness pic.twitter.com/8zL8UAlTd8
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) September 27, 2025
At a time when homosexuality was illegal in the UK, Brian Epstein lived under the constant pressure of secrecy. His sexuality was considered an open secret in certain social circles, but he never “came out” in a public statement or interview. The risks were too high — careers could end, reputations could crumble, and lives could be destroyed by a single headline.
While the world saw the Beatles’ bright smiles and electrifying performances, Epstein endured his own private struggles — navigating fame, loneliness, and the weight of a truth he couldn’t safely share. He died in 1967 at just 32 years old, from what was ruled an accidental overdose of alcohol and barbiturates. His death sent shockwaves through the music industry and left a void that many believe the Beatles never fully recovered from.
Now, nearly six decades later, James Norton is stepping into that complex legacy — and doing so under the direction of one of cinema’s most emotionally intelligent storytellers. Norton’s natural blend of vulnerability and quiet strength feels tailor-made for Epstein’s nuanced story: a man whose brilliance shaped a generation but whose heart was forced into hiding.
I think James Norton gives such sweetie pie energy pic.twitter.com/FPElH1S8Pu
— 𝖏𝖆𝖟𝖟 🍂 (@sleeper9) October 15, 2025
The rest of the cast is equally star-studded: Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, and George Quinn as George Harrison. Meanwhile, Saoirse Ronan is set to portray Linda McCartney, and Mia McKenna Bruce will play Maureen Starkey. Filming was expected to begin in mid-2025, with a target release date in April 2028 — just in time for a new wave of Beatlesmania.
It’s fitting that Epstein’s story is finally being told on such a grand scale. His influence on pop culture is undeniable — and his courage, though quieter than most, helped pave the way for generations of queer people to live and work openly in the spotlight.
@mama.rocks.13 THE BEATLES✨️ 61yrs ago On This Day In Music Nov 22 1963 “With the Beatles” second studio album Released United Kingdom 22 Nov 1963 on Parlophone Produced by George Martin feat 8 orig compositions 7 Lennon–McCartney & “Don’t Bother Me” Harrison’s 1st recorded solo composition his first released on a Beatles album six covers The sessions also yielded the non-album single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” b-side “This Boy” The cover photo by the fashion photog Robert Freeman has since been mimicked by several music groups A different cover Australian release (the Beatles were displeased) In the US the tracks were unevenly split over their first two albums released on Capitol Records: Meet the Beatles! and The Beatles’ Second Album also released in Canada under the name Beatlemania! With the Beatles The album ranked No. 420 Rolling Stone mag 500 Greatest Albums of All Time 2003 incl Robert Dimery’s 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (2010) Also voted No.275 third edition of Colin Larkin’s All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000) ✨️Recording✨️ In 1963 groups were typically required to release more than one LP a yr. As such the Beatles’ producer George Martin and manager Brian Epstein planned for the band to release 2 LPs 4 singles every yr Shortly after recording the non-album single “She Loves You” 1 July 1963 the Beatles returned EMI 4mths after the release of Please Please Me Unlike their debut the bulk (10/14 excl prev iss singles) record in 1 day “With the Beatles” recorded over 7 sess across 3mths Final prep 30 Oct completed on 4 Nov ✨️All My Loving✨️ written by McCartney (cred Lennon–McCartney) Tho not off released as a single in the UK or US it drew considerable radio airplay prompting EMI to issue it as the title track of an EP Released as a single in 🇨🇦 A No.1 hit The Canadian single was imported into the US in enough quantities to peak No. 45 US Billboard Hot 100 in April 1964 The lyrics follow the “letter song” model as used on “P.S. I Love You” the B-side of their first single McCartney orig envisioned it as a country & western song and George Harrison added a Nashville-style guitar solo John Lennon’s rhythm guitar playing utilised back and forth strummed triplets similar to “Da Doo Ron Ron” by The Crystals, a song that was popular at the time while McCartney plays a walking bass line In his 1980 PB interview Lennon said, “[I]t’s a damn good piece of work … But I play a pretty mean guitar in back.” It has been hypothesized that the piece draws inspiration from the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s 1959 song “Kathy’s Waltz” #thebeatles #60sthrowbacksongs #60soldiessongs #60smusic #onthisdayinmusic #albumrelease
In Mendes’ hands, The Beatles will sing again — but this time, the melody will carry an echo of the man who orchestrated it all, and whose story deserves to be heard as loudly as the music he helped make immortal.
REFERENCE: DEADLINE
About 20 years ago, I saw a play performed in a cemetery. It was about a meeting between Brian Epstein and Joe Orton. Orton had written Up Against It for the Beatles.
It was a screenplay that never got made, but a stage version was later produced. They met in a cemetery so they could have a conversation without prying eyes or ears.
One of the interesting things about this play was the timing of the story. Two weeks after this meeting (probably fiction, but there’s no indication that it didn’t take place), Epstein had died of a drug overdose, and Orton had been murdered by his lover.
I don’t remember the title, but I remember it being a very good show!
It was called Traveling Light and was by Lindsay Harris Friel!