Sam Mendes Beatles Films Add New Cast

Production is underway in the United Kingdom on director Sam Mendes' ambitious four-film project chronicling the lives of the Beatles, with four new actors joining the ensemble cast. Harry Lawtey will portray Stuart Sutcliffe, the band's original bassist known as the "Fifth Beatle" who left the group in 1961 to pursue painting. Farhan Akhtar takes on the role of Ravi Shankar, the Indian sitarist whose influence on George Harrison helped incorporate Eastern instruments into the Beatles' music. Lucy Boynton will play Jane Asher, Paul McCartney's early fiancée and inspiration for several songs, including "And I Love Her" and "We Can Work It Out." Morfydd Clark is set to depict Cynthia Lennon, John Lennon's first wife and mother of their son Julian.

The additions bolster an already star-studded lineup for "The Beatles: A Four Film Cinematic Event," a Sony Pictures production in association with Mendes' Neal Street Productions. Leading the core band members are Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. Other key roles include Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as manager Brian...