Filming has recently begun on the six-part drama series HAMBURG DAYS. The series, from showrunner Christian Schwochow (THE CROWN, BAD BANKS) and head writer Jamie Carragher (SUCCESSION), is based in part on the autobiography of German musician and artist Klaus Voormann, and tells the story of the Beatles' early years and their formative time in Hamburg, where the later world-famous band first took shape. Filming will take place over the coming weeks in Hamburg, Munich, and Liverpool.
The lead roles are played by Rhys Mannion (IT IS IN US ALL, FREUD'S LAST SESSION) as John Lennon, Liverpool singer-songwriter Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney, Harvey Brett as George Harrison, Louis Landau (RIVALS, KENNEDY) as Stu Sutcliffe, Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best, Casper von Bülow (DRUCK, WANN WIRD ES ENDLICH WIEDER SO, WIE ES NIE WAR) as Klaus Voormann, and Luna Jordan (WILD REPUBLIC, SLEEPING DOG) as Astrid Kirchherr. Further roles are played by Laura Tonke (AMRUM, 22 LENGTHS), Trystan Pütter (KU'DAMM 56–63), and Max von der Groeben (FACK JU GOEHTE).
The concept for the six-part series originates from Benjamin Benedict (GENERATION WAR), with the screenplays written by Jamie Carragher as head writer. Showrunner Christian Schwochow will also direct alongside Laura Lackmann (MÄNGELEXEMPLAR). The acclaimed producer and BAFTA award winner David Holmes (KILLING EVE, the Ocean's franchise) is responsible for the musical score. Director of Photography Frank Lamm (ANDOR, THE CROWN) is responsible for the cinematography. Klaus Voormann himself serves as exclusive consultant. The Stuart Sutcliffe Estate also serves as an exclusive consultant.
The series is being co-produced by W&B Television and Turbine Studios for AGC Television, ZDF, and the BBC. Producers are Benjamin Benedict, Quirin Berg, and Max Wiedemann from W&B Television, Andrew Eaton and Justin Thomson from Turbine Studios, Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz and Miguel A. Palos Jr. from AGC Television, as well as Christian Schwochow and Jamie Carragher. Executive producers are Isabel Haug and Charles Breitkreuz from W&B Television, along with Katharina Haase. At ZDF, Alexandra Staib, Caroline von Senden and Sandra Dettki are responsible for the project. The BBC has acquired the series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series production is supported by the German Motion Picture Fund, MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, FilmFernsehFonds Bayern and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.
HAMBURG DAYS is set in the early 1960s: the nightlife in St. Pauli is buzzing, and the smoky bars of the Kiez exert a magnetic attraction for sailors, artists, and petty criminals alike. At this time, a new music scene is emerging in the clubs of the infamous red-light district, and many a band is dreaming of their big break. Young artistic couple Klaus and Astrid also immerse themselves in this fascinating, previously unknown world. When one evening they encounter a chaotic band from Liverpool and strike up a friendship with the musicians, none of them can yet imagine that they will soon together set in motion the chain of events that will transform this unknown pub band into the greatest musical phenomenon of all time: the Beatles.
AGC International will handle international distribution of the series, excluding the United Kingdom (BBC) and Germany (ZDF).
Photo: Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney, Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best, Rhys Mannion as John Lennon, Harvey Brett as George Harrison, Louis Landau as Stu Sutcliffe (© W&B Television/Gordon Timpen)
