Mia McKenna-Bruce Reveals the Heart Behind Maureen Starkey Role
Mia McKenna-Bruce shares her journey portraying Maureen Starkey in the upcoming Beatles biopics, reflecting on the character’s compassion and her own challenges preparing for the part. Ringo Starr’s son reacts to the project and Barry Keoghan’s performance.
Mia McKenna-Bruce is stepping into the shoes of Maureen Starkey for the highly anticipated Beatles biopics, and she’s opening up about what it means to bring such a warm, complex figure to life. In a recent interview, McKenna-Bruce discussed the mix of excitement and nerves she’s felt while preparing to portray Ringo Starr’s first wife in Sam Mendes’s ambitious four-part film series, set to hit theaters in 2028.
Currently appearing in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials on Netflix, McKenna-Bruce admitted she hasn’t yet crossed paths with Starr or his family.
“They’ve all been on set, just not when I’ve been there,”
she explained. Despite this, she’s learned plenty about Starkey’s character from those who knew her.
“Someone described her as the person who, if she went to a party, would be the one that would go up to the person who was on their own. She had a huge heart.”
Embodying Maureen Starkey’s Spirit
Starkey married Starr at just 18 years old in 1965, and the couple welcomed their first son, Zak, soon after. They later had two more children, Jason and Lee, before their marriage ended in 1975. Starkey was known for her close friendships with Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd, both of whom play significant roles in the biopics. Aimee Lou Wood is set to portray Boyd in the films.
McKenna-Bruce spoke candidly about the pressure of taking on such a high-profile role. In another interview, she shared,
“When we started, I thought, ‘I’m way out of my depth.’ To get to be involved in telling this story… it’s a proper ‘pinch me’.”
She continued,
“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.”
Family Reactions and On-Set Impressions
While McKenna-Bruce hasn’t met the Starkey family yet, Ringo Starr’s son Zak recently shared his father’s reaction to the project. Over the weekend, Zak revealed that Starr was deeply moved after visiting the set and seeing Barry Keoghan, who plays him in the films.
“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.”
The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event promises to offer a fresh perspective on the legendary band’s story, with a focus on the people who stood beside them. For McKenna-Bruce, capturing Maureen Starkey’s kindness and resilience is both a challenge and a privilege she’s eager to embrace.