BEATLES MAGAZINE: MIA McKENNA-BRUCE TALKS ABOUT HER ROLE AS MAUREEN STARKEY

Monday, 19 January 2026

MIA McKENNA-BRUCE TALKS ABOUT HER ROLE AS MAUREEN STARKEY

Mia McKenna-Bruce has opened up about her role as Maureen Starkey in the Beatles biopics. The actress spoke in an interview with the Sunday Times about her portrayal of Ringo Starr’s first wife in Sam Mendes’ saga, The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, which is scheduled for release in 2028.

McKenna-Bruce spoke about the trepidation and joy of immersing herself in Starkey’s character. Although she admitted she has not yet met Starr or his family because "they have all been on set, just not when I’ve been there," the actress stated that, despite this, she has heard a lot about Maureen.

"Someone described her as the kind of person who, if she went to a party, would be the one to go up to whoever was alone. She had a huge heart."

Ringo and Maureen married in 1965, when she was 18 years old, and their son Zak was born shortly after. The couple had two more children, Jason and Lee, before divorcing in 1975. Maureen maintained a close relationship with Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd; the latter will be played by Aimee Lou Wood in the films.

In an interview with Stylist, McKenna-Bruce spoke honestly about the nerves of taking on a role in a production of such magnitude. "When we started, I thought, 'I’m way out of my depth,'" she admitted. "To get to be involved in telling this story… it’s a proper ‘pinch me’ moment."

She added: "I have to accept that I’m going to feel imposter syndrome—look at what we’re doing! But that’s OK; when I tell myself not to feel like that, that’s when I spiral."

Despite not having met McKenna-Bruce, Ringo’s son, Zak Starkey, revealed this weekend that his father is highly impressed with the biopics and with Barry Keoghan, who portrays him. Zak said: "My dad said that he went to the set and that it was amazing. It really blew him away. He was pretty impressed with what he saw."

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