Perhaps you denizens of the Internet already have some important thoughts about the upcoming four-part Beatles biopics. Well, now you can consider Pattie Boyd among that very chorus, as the former wife of George Harrison has shared her own frustrations with the Sam Mendes-directed flicks.
Boyd was recently the premiere guest on a brand-new podcast hosted by Chris O’Dell, the famed tour manager of The Beatles as well as a suite of other famous English acts of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. During the hour-long chat, Boyd and O’Dell eventually got on the topic of the four biopics, and how Boyd would be played by White Lotus actress Aimee Lou Wood. It was at this point that Boyd revealed that no one from the production had ever contacted her regarding her depiction or part in the real-life story.
“I thought it would be polite to mention it to me, or let me know if they’ve got someone who is going to be playing me,” Boyd said. “Wouldn’t they let me know?”
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O’Dell, who also said she also hadn’t been contacted despite her vital connections to The Beatles, said, “I thought you’d be a consultant.” Boyd responded, “I could’ve told them really great stories. But I don’t think they wanted to know.”
From there, O’Dell and Boyd pondered just what kind of stories these films would tell without involving folks like themselves. Boyd said that she thinks “they want to create something that’s completely different…a different story.” When O’Dell responded that we “might be seeing the filmmaker’s version of what happened,” Boyd said that such a prospect has “nothing to do with the truth of what happened. Because they didn’t want to talk to anyone who was there.”
Despite her general tone and word choice, Boyd stressed that none of this “drives her crazy,” as O’Dell had suggested. Rather, “she’s doing the opposite. I’m going to be a very good girl and not get grumpy and growly.”
Boyd added, “People don’t have manners anymore. People don’t care, and if somebody doesn’t care, you can’t do anything about it.”
Normally, these kinds of comments might ring as mere sour grapes from someone who felt slighted. But given Boyd’s position in The Beatles canon — as both wife and muse of Harrison, and an important observer/player in late ’60s English rock scene in general — her inclusion would make sense. Factor in O’Dell’s own “snubbing,” and this feels like a missed opportunity by the creators to tap into some still-living perspectives of the Fab Four.
At the same time, some folks involved in the biopics welcome a little ignorance. In an interview from earlier this year, Paul Mescal (who plays Paul McCartney) said, “I don’t want to get into the Beatles thing, not coyly, but actually because I think the world hopefully will benefit from knowing as little as possible going into it.” It would certainly be a new way to appreciate The Beatles when you consider just how many Beatles documentaries already exist.
Regardless, the four films are set for release in April 2028. Each movie will focus on an individual member of The Beatles while weaving together interconnected stories from the band’s history. Joining Lou Wood and Mescal are Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. The rest of the cast includes Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, and Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey. If you haven’t already, check out some early images of all four Beatles.
Below, check out a TikTok clip featuring the pair’s talk about the biopics. Then, listen to the full episode here.
@gandpharrison Credits to Chris O’Dell’s podcast – thought this was important to share. #vintagevibes #rocknroll #thebeatles #pattieboyd #georgeharrison