Sex Education star reveals he missed out on a major role in the new Beatles movies

Sex Education star Asa Butterfield has revealed that he auditioned for the role of George Harrison in Sam Mendes's upcoming quartet of Beatles films – before the role ended up going to Joseph Quinn.

Butterfield made the comments during an interview with The Times, although he also added that he had no idea if he'd made a shortlist for the role, adding that "I play bass, which was Paul’s instrument."

And it sounds like he would have loved the part, going on to explain: "There are roles that you really, really want.

"But I find something else comes up and you do another job which you wouldn’t have been able to do," he added.

Interestingly, had Butterfield landed the role it would have brought about a Sex Education reunion, as his former co-star Aimee Lou Wood will be starring as Harrison's wife Pattie Boyd in the "four film cinematic event".

Of course, alongside Quinn as Harrison, the other three members of the Fab Four will be played by Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson and Barry Keoghan, who are portraying Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Ringo Starr respectively.

Meanwhile, other big names who will be in the cast include Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, James Norton as Brian Epstein, Lucy Boynton as Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark as Cynthia Lennon and Harry Lawtey as Stuart Sutcliffe.

Since Sex Education wrapped up with its final season in 2023, Butterfield has appeared in the films Our Hero, Balthazar and Stitch Head, while his upcoming projects include sci-fi movie Rogue Trooper and Netflix miniseries Unchosen – which debuts on the streamer next week.

The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinema Experience is set to release as a quartet of movies in April 2028.

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