Pete Bests Niece Will Play a Pivotal Role in Sam Mendes Beatles Biopics
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Pete Best's Niece to Portray Key Figure in Upcoming Beatles Biopics
The cast for Sam Mendes' highly anticipated four-part Beatles film series continues to take shape, with a surprising connection to the band's history. Actress Leanne Best, niece of the Beatles' original drummer Pete Best, has been cast to play Mimi Smith, John Lennon's aunt. Mimi played a significant role in Lennon's upbringing, raising him after his father left and his mother moved out. She was a strong influence on Lennon, even inspiring lyrics in the song "She's Leaving Home."
Leanne Best has a solid acting resume, with roles in series like "Ripper Street" and the film "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Her uncle, Pete Best, was the Beatles' drummer from 1960 to 1962 before being replaced by Ringo Starr. The casting of Pete Best in the film has yet to be announced.
The series will feature a star-studded cast, including James Norton as manager Brian Epstein, David Morrissey as Paul McCartney's father, Jim, and Bobby Schofield as road manager Neil Aspinall. Paul Mescal will portray Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. The films will also feature Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, and Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey.
The Beatles A Four-Film Cinematic Event is currently in production, with the first film scheduled to premiere in April 2028.
BNN's Perspective: The casting of Leanne Best is a clever move, adding an interesting layer of authenticity to the project. While the films are sure to be a commercial success, it will be interesting to see how the filmmakers balance the band's iconic status with the more complex personal stories of the individuals involved.
Keywords: Beatles, Sam Mendes, Pete Best, Leanne Best, Mimi Smith, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Brian Epstein, Biopic, Film, Casting, Movies, Entertainment.