Anna Sawai is “so terrified” of speaking about the Beatles biopics.
Anna Sawai will play Yoko Ono
The Shogun actress will portray Yoko Ono opposite Harris Dickinson as John Lennon in director Sir Sam Mendes’ upcoming four-film biopic series and, while she feels honoured to be cast as the visual artist, she’s wary of accidentally letting slip any secrets about the project.
She told Sunday Times Style magazine: “I’m so terrified to spill anything that’s not out there yet. The Beatles have been a part of my life for the longest time — it’s kind of mind-blowing I’m in a film about them.”
Referencing a Japanese term, manzoku, which means fulfilment, she added: “Playing [Yoko] will be very, very manzoku — satisfying — if I can do it right.”
Over the years, Yoko has been vilified for her alleged role in splitting up The Beatles, and Anna admitted speaking to the artist’s son, Sean Lennon, for insight, as well as doing her own research, has made the project a “little bit more personal” for her after growing to understand the racism and misogyny that followed her.
She said: “I already had an idea of it [but now] it felt a little bit more personal.
“It feels so wrong [that she was treated that way], and I feel like the storytelling will be a version that people haven’t seen. People are open to diversity now and are a little bit more welcoming, so I think it’ll be perceived in a different way.”
The 34-year-old actress previously hailed Yoko as hugely inspirational to her.
She told People magazine: “It’s just exciting because [Ono’s] story is so inspirational to me, and people really don’t know the true person that she was.
“She’s an incredible artist. And also, she just was an independent woman and people didn’t like that. They wanted John [Lennon] for themselves, and she was an easy target. And I think it’s very meaningful for me to be able to tell her story.”
Asked what she loves most about Ono, Sawai added: “Just how bold she is. Oh my God, I love her. She’s so cool.”
The Beatles biopics – which will be released on the same day in April 2028 – will also feature Barry Keoghan as Sir Ringo Starr, Paul Mescal as Sir Paul McCartney and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
Anna’s casting was announced last November, along with Saoirse Ronan, Mia McKenna-Bruce and Aimee Lou Wood.
Lady Bird star Saoirse will play photographer Linda Eastman, later McCartney, while How to Have Sex actress Mia has been cast as Maureen Starkey, née Cox, and The White Lotus actress Aimee will play Pattie Boyd.
Sam said: “Maureen, Linda, Yoko and Pattie are four fascinating and unique figures in their own right – and I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to persuade four of the most talented women working in film today to join this amazing adventure.”
Lucy Boynton is set to play McCartney’s girlfriend Jane Asher, while Harry Lawtey has been cast as The Beatles’ original bass guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe.
Meanwhile, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag actor Farhan Akhtar has signed on to portray influential Indian composer Ravi Shankar, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Morfydd Clark will take on the role of Lennon’s first wife Cynthia Lennon.
Rounding out the cast is James Norton, Harry Lloyd and David Morrissey, who have signed on to play The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, producer George Martin and Sir Paul McCartney’s father Jim, respectively.