Recalling how he was mocked over his working-class background, actor Harris Dickinson has detailed how he was humiliated by a “w*****” co-star early in his career.
Harris Dickinson was humiliated by a “w*****” co-star early in his career who mocked his working-class background.
The 29-year-old actor has been cast as “working class hero” John Lennon in an ambitious four-part anthology of films exploring the lives of each member of The Beatles, from their roots in post-war Britain to the height of Beatlemania and beyond, and he said he still vividly remembers the experience of abuse about his past as he prepares to take on his biggest role yet.
Harris will appear in the films alongside Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
Harris told The Sunday Times about how one former co-star singled him out during a game on set, using stereotypes about his background: “A w*****, middle to upper class.
“He was playing this game where you pretend to be someone and everyone has to guess who it is by asking questions.
“Someone asked, ‘What food are you?’ and he said, ‘Fish and chips’.
“Then, ‘What TV show are you?’ and he said, ‘Love Island’.
“Everyone was laughing. It was humiliating.”
Harris refused to directly name the actor but denied speculation it was Ralph Fiennes, with whom he starred in The King’s Man in 2021.
He said: “No, it’s not Ralph. Ralph’s a sweetheart.”
When pressed about whether it might have been Robert Lindsay, his co-star in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in 2019, Harris replied: “F***! I’ve been caught!” – before declining to elaborate further.
The forthcoming Beatles films will be directed by Sam Mendes, who confirmed the project during an appearance at CinemaCon 2025.
Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan and Harris were introduced on stage together.
Sony chairman Tom Rothman described the quartet of films, set to be released in April 2028, as “the first bingeable theatrical experience”.
Sam added: “We’re not just making one film about The Beatles – we’re making four. Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply.
“The Beatles changed my understanding of music. I’ve been trying to make a movie about them for years.”
Harris’ previous credits include the thriller Babygirl with Nicole Kidman and the wrestling drama The Iron Claw with Jeremy Allen White.
Harris Dickinson humiliated by ‘w*****’ co-star early in his career
