The principal cast for the drama series “Hamburg Days,” which explores The Beatles’ formative years in the German city, has been announced as filming commences in Hamburg, Munich, and Liverpool.
The series features Rhys Mannion (“It Is in Us All,” “Freud’s Last Session”) portraying John Lennon, with Liverpudlian singer/songwriter Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney. Newcomer Harvey Brett takes on the role of George Harrison, Louis Landau (“Rivals,” “Kennedy”) plays Stu Sutcliffe, and newcomer Patrick Gilmore is cast as Pete Best. Luna Jordan (“Wild Republic,” “Sleeping Dog”) stars as Astrid Kirchherr, Casper von Bülow (“Druck,” “Wann wird es endlich wieder so, wie es nie war”) as Klaus Voorman, Laura Tonke (“22 Lengths,” “Amrum”) as Nielsa Kirchherr, along with Trystan Pütter (“Ku’damm 56”) and Max von der Groeben (“Fack Ju Göhte”).
“Hamburg Days”
Courtesy of Gordon Timpen
The series is helmed by showrunner Christian Schwochow, known for his work on “The Crown” and “Munich – The Edge of War,” with Jamie Carragher, who has previously contributed to “Succession,” serving as head writer. The narrative draws inspiration from the autobiography of German artist Klaus Voormann.
““Hamburg Days” is set in the vibrant 1960s within the smoky clubs of Hamburg’s St. Pauli red-light district. It follows the journey of a fledgling rock ‘n’ roll band from Liverpool as they encounter young artists Klaus Voormann and Astrid Kirchherr, sparking a transformation that elevates them into an unprecedented music phenomenon.
Music for the series is being curated by BAFTA-winning music producer David Holmes, known for his work on “Killing Eve” and the “Ocean’s” franchise.
The production is a collaboration between W&B Television and Turbine Studios, with AGC Television and German broadcaster ZDF as co-financiers. The BBC has secured rights for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
Developed by Benjamin Benedict of “Generation War,” the series is directed by Schwochow and Laura Lackmann, known for “Call My Agent Berlin” and “The Pimp: No F***Ing Fairytale.” Frank Lamm, recognized for “Andor” and “The Crown,” serves as the director of photography. Klaus Voormann contributes as an exclusive consultant.
Executive producers include Carragher, Schwochow, Benedict, Quirin Berg, and Max Wiedemann of W&B Television; Andrew Eaton and Justin Thomson of Turbine Studios; and AGC’s Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz, and Miguel A. Palos Jr. The production team is led by Isabel Haug of W&B Television and Katharina Haase, with oversight from ZDF’s Alexandra Staib, Caroline von Senden, and Sandra Dettki.
The production is supported by several organizations, including the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF), MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, and Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg.
AGC International is responsible for worldwide sales outside the U.K. (BBC) and Germany (ZDF).
