Mia McKenna-Bruce on Stepping Into Maureen Starkey’s Shoes

Mia McKenna-Bruce has shed light on her experience playing Maureen Starkey in the much-anticipated Beatles biopics. In a recent chat, she spoke about taking on the role of Ringo Starr’s first wife for Sam Mendes’s ambitious four-part film project, set to hit screens in 2028. Currently appearing in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials on Netflix, McKenna-Bruce described the mix of nerves and excitement she felt while getting to know Starkey’s character.

Although she hasn’t crossed paths with Starr or his family yet—

“they have all been on set, just not when I’ve been there,”

—McKenna-Bruce has picked up plenty about Starkey from those who knew her. She recalled,

“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.”

Finding Maureen: Heart and History

Starkey married Starr at just 18, back in 1965, and soon after they welcomed their son Zak. The family later grew with the arrival of Jason and Lee, but the couple parted ways in 1975. Starkey was known for her close friendships with Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd—Aimee Lou Wood is set to play Boyd in the films.

McKenna-Bruce admitted to feeling a bit out of her depth at first, especially with the scale of the project. In another interview, she confessed,

“When we started, I thought, ‘I’m way out of my depth’.”

She added,

“To get to be involved in telling this story… it’s a proper ‘pinch me’.”

Imposter Syndrome and On-Set Nerves

Despite her initial nerves, McKenna-Bruce has embraced the challenge. She spoke candidly about the pressure, saying,

“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.”

Her honesty about the emotional rollercoaster of such a high-profile role gives a glimpse into the realities behind the scenes.

While she hasn’t yet met the real-life family, the connection to the story remains strong. The production has brought together a cast keen to do justice to the people behind the legend, with McKenna-Bruce at the heart of it all as Maureen.

Family Reactions and High Praise

Meanwhile, Zak Starkey, Ringo’s son, recently shared his thoughts on the project. He revealed that his father was thoroughly impressed after visiting the set and seeing Barry Keoghan’s portrayal of him.

“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 buzz around the biopics continues to build, with both cast and family members expressing excitement and approval. As anticipation grows, McKenna-Bruce’s portrayal of Maureen Starkey is shaping up to be a highlight for Beatles fans and filmgoers alike.