Saoirse Ronan has reportedly signed on to play Linda McCartney in Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles biopic project—and honestly, it’s kind of perfect casting. The Oscar-nominated actress is set to take on the role of the late photographer, activist, and longtime partner of Paul McCartney in what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated film projects about the Fab Four.
If you haven’t been following the news, Mendes is going all-in on the Beatles story with not one, but four separate films, each told from the perspective of a different band member. It's a bold swing, and for the first time ever, the Beatles (and their estates) have actually given full access to their music and life rights for a scripted project. That alone makes this whole thing feel like a big deal.
So far, the casting for the main four has been announced: Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson is taking on John Lennon, Joseph Quinn will be George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan is stepping into Ringo Starr’s shoes. Now with Ronan joining the fold as Linda, it’s starting to feel like this cast could actually pull it off.
It hasn’t been confirmed exactly how much screen time Linda will get, but considering her importance in McCartney’s post-Beatles life, it’s safe to assume she’ll play a major role—at least in the Paul-focused installment. What’s interesting is that Ronan and Mescal already worked together before, so there’s already some chemistry there to build on. That could make their dynamic as Paul and Linda all the more believable on screen.
The films are all currently scheduled to hit theaters in April 2028, which is still a ways off, but it sounds like Mendes wants to release them close together so people can experience the full story as a kind of interconnected event. Think of it like binge-watching, but in theaters.
There’s still a lot we don’t know—like who else is being cast (will we see Yoko? George Martin? Brian Epstein?) and how the four films will intertwine—but what’s clear is that this project is going to be one of the biggest Beatles-related films ever made.
As for Ronan, she’s known for taking on roles with real emotional weight, and Linda McCartney certainly fits that mold. Linda wasn’t just Paul’s wife—she was a respected photographer, a musician in Wings, and a strong voice for animal rights. With Ronan in the role, there’s a good chance we’ll get a portrayal that goes beyond the usual biopic partner-in-the-background routine.
It’s early days, but if this casting is anything to go by, Mendes’ Beatles saga might actually live up to the hype. We’ll keep an ear out for more updates as production ramps up.