Full Breakdown
BBC Announces “Hamburg Days” – A Six-Part Drama on the Beatles’ Early Years
5/8/2026, 8:13:33 PM
Series Overview
The BBC has commissioned a six-part television drama titled “Hamburg Days.” The series dramatizes the Beatles’ formative period in the early 1960s, focusing on their time in Hamburg’s St Pauli red-light district. Production has begun in Hamburg, Munich and Liverpool, and the programme will be broadcast on BBC One and made available on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.
Inspiration and Historical Context
“Hamburg Days” draws its narrative from the autobiography of German artist Klaus Voormann, who documented his association with the band during their Hamburg residency. The storyline situates an inexperienced Liverpool rock-n-roll group amid the smoky clubs of St Pauli, where they encounter Voormann and photographer Astrid Kirchherr. Their interactions are presented as a catalyst for the band’s evolution into a global music phenomenon.
Cast and Creative Team
- Rhys Mannion as John Lennon
- Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney
- Harvey Brett as George Harrison
- Paddy Gilmore as Pete Best (original drummer)
- Louis Landau as Stuart Sutcliffe (original bassist)
- Luna Jordan as Astrid Kirchherr
- Casper von Bülow as Klaus Voormann
- Lasse Klene as Jürgen Vollmer
The series is developed by Benjamin Benedict (known for *Generation War*), written by Jamie Carragher of *Succession*, and directed by Christian Schwochow (*The Crown*) and Laura Lackmann (*Call My Agent Berlin*). Music supervision is handled by BAFTA-winning producer David Holmes (*Killing Eve*). Production partners include BBC, Wiedemann & Berg, Gordon Timpen and SMPSP.
Production Details
- Episodes: Six, each focusing on a distinct phase of the band’s early development.
- Filming locations: Hamburg, Munich and Liverpool.
- First-look images: Released following the BBC’s acquisition of the series last year.
Official Statements & Responses
The BBC confirmed that “Hamburg Days” will be streamed on its iPlayer platform and aired on its flagship channel, emphasizing the series’ commitment to authentic period recreation. The corporation highlighted the involvement of David Holmes as music curator, noting his BAFTA-winning background. Creative leads described the project as a “new-generation dramatization” of the Beatles’ Hamburg era, aiming to illuminate the cultural exchange between the band and the German artistic community that shaped their early sound.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Hamburg Days is set in the 1960s, in the smoke-filled clubs of Hamburg's St Pauli red-light district, where an inexperienced young rock ‘n’ roll band from Liverpool collide with two young artists, Klaus Voormann and Astrid Kirchherr.” — Series Synopsis
- “Together they help spark a transformation that turns a scrappy group of teenagers into the greatest music phenomenon the world has ever known: the Beatles.” — Series Synopsis
- “The show's music has been curated by BAFTA-winning producer David Holmes (Killing Eve).” — Production Note
- “Ad The six-part series, which has now begun filming in Hamburg, Munich and Liverpool, will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, and has been inspired by German artist Klaus Voormann's autobiography.” — BBC Announcement
- “Rhys Mannion (Freud’s Last Session) will play John Lennon, while Ellis Murphy will play Paul McCartney and Harvey Brett will play George Harrison.” — Casting Announcement
- “The series has been developed by Benjamin Benedict (Generation War) and written by Succession's Jamie Carragher, while Christian Schwochow (The Crown) and Laura Lackmann (Call My Agent Berlin) will direct.” — Creative Team Statement
What’s Next
“Hamburg Days” is slated for future broadcast on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer. Specific transmission dates have not yet been disclosed, and the BBC will release further scheduling information as production progresses.
