A new six-part drama series titled ‘Hamburg Days’ has been announced, focusing on the formative years of the iconic band The Beatles. Filming has commenced in Hamburg, Munich, and Liverpool, as reported by BBC Media Centre.
The series draws inspiration from the autobiography of German musician Klaus Voormann, detailing the band’s rise in Hamburg during the 1960s. Producers indicate that the narrative will explore the band’s interactions with Voormann and photographer Astrid Kirchherr, pivotal figures in their transformation from a struggling group of teenagers to a global musical phenomenon.
Cast Details:
- Rhis Mannion as John Lennon
- Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney
- Harvey Brett as George Harrison
- Louis Landau as Stu Sutcliffe
- Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best
Additional cast members include Luna Jordan as Astrid Kirchherr, Kasper von Bülow as Klaus Voormann, and Laura Tonke as Nilsa Kirchherr, among others.
The storyline of ‘Hamburg Days’ is set in the smoky clubs of Hamburg’s St. Pauli district during the 1960s, where a young, inexperienced rock band from Liverpool encounters Voormann and Kirchherr. Together, they play a crucial role in the band’s evolution into The Beatles, one of the most significant musical acts in history.
Benjamin Benedict, known for ‘Our Mothers, Our Fathers’, is the series developer, while the screenplay is written by Jamie Carragher, recognized for ‘Succession’. Direction is handled by Christian Schwochow, known for ‘The Crown’, and Laura Lackmann, who worked on ‘Call My Agent: Berlin’.
The music for the series is curated by BAFTA award-winning producer David Holmes, recognized for his work on ‘Killing Eve’ and the Ocean’s Trilogy. Voormann serves as an exclusive consultant for the project.
This series is a collaboration between W&B Television and Turbine Studios, with co-financing from German broadcaster ZDF and AGC, which will manage international sales outside the UK and Germany.
The BBC has acquired the rights to air the series on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
About The Beatles
The Beatles are widely regarded as the greatest British band of all time. They have released 15 albums that topped the UK charts, more than any other artist, with over one billion records sold worldwide.
Some of their most famous hits include ‘Yesterday’, ‘Hey Jude’, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Eight Days A Week’, ‘Let It Be’, ‘Come Together’, ‘Here Comes The Sun’, ‘Twist and Shout’, ‘Love Me Do’, and ‘Help!’.
In November 2023, The Beatles released what has been termed their ‘final song’ titled ‘Now and Then’. The melody, created by John Lennon in 1978, was initially of poor quality, hindering the production of a complete song. However, advancements in artificial intelligence allowed for the extraction of instruments and vocals from the demo.
The track was released on November 2, 2023, and topped the UK singles chart, marking the band’s first return to the number one position in 54 years, making them the only group to achieve this after such a lengthy gap.
The upcoming series 'Hamburg Days' will explore The Beatles' early years in Hamburg, highlighting their transformation into a global music phenomenon. With a talented cast and experienced production team, the series aims to provide an in-depth look at the band's formative experiences.