Paul Mescal has revealed he’s been inspired to start writing music after filming the Beatles biopic.
The actor, 29, plays Paul McCartney in the upcoming four-part film series, alongside Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
Mescal is doing all of his own singing in the films and told British GQ of the role: ‘I’ve learned so much. It’s really inspired a love’.
Confirming that he is now penning his own music, he continued: ‘I’ve always loved music, but getting to play one of the great songwriters and great frontmen has really lit a fire in terms of personally writing music and engaging and hearing music in a different way.’
Mescal, who previously showcased his vocal abilities in the musical films Carmen and The History of Sound, also revealed how McCartney reacted upon learning he’d been cast to play him, as he praised the ‘brilliant’ Liverpudlian.
‘He’s the most brilliant man, Mescal gushed. ‘I feel emotionally attached to him. He received me with great kindness and warmth.’
Paul Mescal has revealed he’s started writing his own music after filming the Beatles biopic and shared how Paul McCartney reacted to learning the Irish actor would be playing him
The actor, 29, opened up about his hotly-anticipated new role in an interview with British GQ, also taking part in a quirky photoshoot for the magazine
Mescal comes from a musical family, with his sister Nell a popular singer – and the pair often duet on social media.
Last year, Sony finally confirmed the cast for its four highly anticipated Beatles films following months of speculation, with all four projects set for release in April 2028.
White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood, 31, will play George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd, while Irish Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, 31, has been cast as Linda McCartney, the muse to many of Paul McCartney’s songs.
Anna Sawai, 33, who has made a name for herself in the US drama series Shogun, will appear as John Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono, and British actress Mia McKenna-Bruce, 28, will play Maureen Cox, the wife of Ringo Starr.
The Daily Mail revealed that the Beatles biopics will be filmed at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios, with production getting underway in November last year despite earlier reports that plans had been blocked.
While it was previously claimed that Westminster Council would not allow filming at the famous zebra crossing, the council has since confirmed to the Daily Mail that production will be going ahead.
Sam Mendes, who is directing the films, had wanted to recreate the Beatles’ 1969 album cover on the crossing.
Westminster Council told Daily Mail that they are, in fact, working closely with production teams to facilitate filming, which will involve closing the road.
Mescal plays Paul McCartney in the four-part film series, alongside (L-R) Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison
Entitled The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, the project was announced last year and is set for release in 2028 (L-R Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and John Lennon of The Beatles pictured in 1963)
Mescal explained: ‘I’ve always loved music, but getting to play one of the great songwriters and great frontmen has really lit a fire in terms of personally writing music and engaging and hearing music in a different way’
Mescal comes from a musical family, with his sister Nell a popular singer – and the pair often duet on social media (pictured at the 2024 BAFTA Awards)
Entitled The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, the project was announced last year.
The movies will each take the perspective of one member of The Beatles as they evolve from unknowns in Liverpool in the early 1960s to becoming the biggest band in the world and then breaking up in 1970.
It’s the first time that surviving Beatles McCartney and Starr, and the families of the late Lennon and Harrison, have given the rights to feature films about them.
However, despite the huge career milestone, Mescal suggested he may be stepping back from public life for a while.
Speaking to The Guardian this month, the actor admitted he is considering a break.
He said: ‘People will get a break from me and I’ll get a break from them, over the next couple of years.’
Mescal added: ‘I’m five or six years into this now, and I feel very lucky. But I’m also learning that I don’t think I can go on doing it as much.’
Read the full feature in the February issue of British GQ available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday, January 27.
Read the full feature in the February issue of British GQ available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday, January 27
