Harris Dickinson Reunites With Beatles Co-Stars at Urchin Premiere as He Promotes Directorial Debut and Reflects on Past Mockery

London — Harris Dickinson reunited with his Beatles biopic co-stars Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan at the premiere of his directorial debut, Urchin, in London on Monday. Dickinson, who also wrote the screenplay for the film, arrived on the red carpet with Mescal and Keoghan, all smiles as they supported the 29-year-old actor on his first feature-length directing effort. The event drew industry attention beyond Dickinson’s project, including a visit from Sam Mendes, the director tapped to helm the upcoming Beatles biopic. Mendes’ presence underscored a growing cross-pollination of talent as the two projects sit at different ends of a broad Beatles-related wave in British cinema.

Urchin marks Dickinson’s first foray as a writer-director, a project he has described as exploring “people who fall between the cracks” and the ways in which social systems can fail individuals. The film, which Dickinson wrote, centers on characters navigating marginal spaces and the frictions that arise when systems do not accommodate those on the fringes. The premiere’s red-carpet energy reflected the confidence surrounding a filmmaker who has been on the ascent in recent years, even as details about Urchin’s release window remain closely held.

The event also cast a light on the broader ecosystem surrounding the Beatles universe in cinema. In addition to Dickinson, Mescal and Keoghan, the premiere spotlighted a conversation about the long-gestating Beatles biopic that envisions a four-part reimagining of the Fab Four’s glittering career. The cast slated for the biopic, as discussed in recent reports, includes Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Keoghan as Ringo Starr. Mendes’ attendance at Urchin underscored the close attention being paid to the project as it continues to evolve, even as no definitive release date has yet been announced for the film.

The press materials and public chatter surrounding Urchin likewise intersect with Dickinson’s past on-screen life. In a 2023 interview with The Times, Dickinson recounted an episode from early in his career in which a veteran actor he described as “old school, middle to upper class” allegedly humiliated him over his working-class East London roots. Dickinson said the game the actor suggested — sizing up someone in the room and answering questions to guess who they were — culminated in a sharp critique of Dickinson’s background. He recalled feeling demeaned when asked about his food preference (fish and chips) and his loyalty to Love Island, framing the moment as a painful reminder of the social hierarchy that exists within the industry. “I won't say who it is and I really want to, because he's a wanker,” Dickinson told The Times, underscoring how such experiences shape a young actor’s sense of belonging on set. Yet he described the episode as something that could have lasting effects on someone just starting out in the business.

That account fed into broader speculation around Dickinson’s career trajectory and his place within the contemporary British film landscape. The Times piece also touched on questions about Dickinson’s potential involvement in a Beatles biopic beyond Urchin. Reporters floated names and possibilities as part of the larger conversation about who might portray John Lennon, a role that would mesh with Dickinson’s own upbringing in a working-class environment. While the piece referenced speculative casting, Dickinson’s responses in the interview also reflected a wish to keep the focus on his current work while acknowledging the strange and sometimes intrusive curiosity that accompanies high-profile projects. At one point, the journalist suggested Robert Lindsay as a possible Lennon-era option; Dickinson’s reaction was telling, and he moved to deflect the speculation.

The Urchin premiere arrived at a moment when several threads intersect in the cultural orbit around Dickinson. On one hand, his directorial debut marks a significant milestone in a career that has included high-profile acting roles and rising visibility in streaming and feature projects. On the other hand, the broader Beatles canon in cinema continues to attract attention from audiences eager for new interpretations of the band’s story, whether through biopics, reenactments, or other documentary and narrative forms. Mendes’ presence at Urchin underscores the industry’s ongoing investment in this period of music history, even as the timeline for the long-rumored Beatles biopic remains fluid. If Urchin and Mendes’ project continue to gain momentum, the coming years could see a parallel track of storytelling that deepens audiences’ understanding of the band’s lasting influence and the people connected to their legend.

Urchin is currently without a confirmed release date. The first part of the contemplated Beatles biopic is reportedly expected around 2028, according to industry chatter linked to Mendes’ involvement and casting discussions. The combination of a new voice behind Urchin and a major cinematic project tied to one of pop culture’s most enduring legacies suggests a busy period ahead for Dickinson and the circle of collaborators around him. For now, the premiere in London provided a signal that Dickinson is stepping into a broader leadership role in film, with a project that promises to explore the contours of resilience, marginalization, and the human stories behind headlines. As Urchin moves through production and potential festival consideration, audiences will watch to see how Dickinson’s vision translates to the screen and how the conversations surrounding the Beatles biopic evolve in tandem with his career trajectory.